Take precautions when spending time in the SWFL heat Published: July 23, 2021 5:48 PM EDT Recommended Southwest Florida is feeling the heat. The region hit 97 degrees Thursday. If you add in the Florida humidity, it feels well into the hundreds. In fact, The Weather Authority confirmed our peak heat index was 113 degrees Friday. A lot of people are trying to cool down in the water. Water was the word of the day Friday among people we spoke to at Cape Coral Yacht Club. People were swimming and they were drinking water to stay hydrated. That’s exactly what experts say is key to keeping safe and beating the summer heat.