In an unprecedented weather event, South Florida is preparing for scorching temperatures and potentially severe storms this weekend. The National Weather Service predicts "feels-like" temperatures soaring as high as 110 degrees, marking an abnormal heat wave for the month of May.

On Friday, the National Weather Service's Miami office issued a heat advisory for Miami-Dade, the first of its kind in May in over 15 years. Subsequently, another heat advisory was expanded on Saturday to encompass the entire South Florida region, including Broward and Palm Beach Counties, both of which are experiencing their first May heat advisories.

Chris Fisher, a meteorologist from the weather service, expressed his concern over the unusually high heat, stating, "We're seeing heat indices that we typically would see in July and August. It's certainly abnormal." The heat indices, calculated by factoring in both air temperature and humidity, are expected to reach 108-112 degrees, posing a significant and potentially fatal risk of heat stroke with prolonged exposure.

Meteorologists are urging residents to take precautions and avoid prolonged periods outdoors. Those who must be outside are advised to take frequent cooling breaks and stay hydrated. Palm Beach County, in particular, will bear the brunt of the heat due to a southwest wind flow pattern that is driving the excessive heat.

Saturday is anticipated to be the hottest day of the heat wave, with temperatures reaching the mid to upper-90s, exceeding the typical maximum temperatures recorded in August. Sunday's heat risk will slightly decrease but remain elevated, with heat indices ranging from 103 to 107 degrees.

To exacerbate matters, South Florida will also face the threat of severe storms. Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton are at a "marginal risk" for storms between 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, with the potential for other regions to be affected on Sunday.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, some relief is in sight for next week. Temperatures are expected to gradually decrease each day after Sunday, with highs reaching the mid-80s by Wednesday. However, a subsequent increase in temperatures is predicted by the following weekend.

The factors contributing to this intense heat wave are attributed primarily to the elongated southerly flow of wind. This phenomenon, coupled with the absence of an easterly flow that brings in cooler air from the water, allows the heat to build up as it sweeps across the region.

As South Florida braces for this unprecedented heat wave and prepares for potential severe storms, it is crucial for residents and visitors alike to prioritize their safety and well-being and heed the advice of meteorologists to avoid heat-related illnesses and exhaustion.