PC-12
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
Being vectored for the visual into MIA; Tower gave a traffic advisory for a 737 ahead of us. We advised 'In sight.' Tower then told us to follow that traffic; cleared for the visual to Runway 26R. In a separate radio call; Tower asked if we could keep our speed up because we would be the last aircraft in before switching direction of the runways. Winds on the ATIS were reported 240 at 4. We said we would maintain speed. ATC also directed the 737 to maintain same speed to the final.The 737 was sidestepped to 26L; and we were on final for 26R; so to his right. We also stayed; in keeping with aeronautical training; above his glide path. However; due to whatever exact wind and atmospheric conditions prevailed at the time; we did nonetheless encounter the wake turbulence of the 737; and the aircraft attitude changed drastically in what [the] Captain and I agreed was severe turbulence. Objects did fly about in the cabin; and we entered a steep descent and a turn. I do not believe that the aircraft was ever actually out of control. Prior to the time of the encounter with severe turbulence; I was already flying by hand; so I did not need to override automation or take over for it upon disconnection. I leveled the wings and arrested the descent. The total time of the event I estimate to have been 1-2 seconds. After that; the approach and landing were normal. We put down the gear and 30 degrees flaps and had a normal descent and soft touchdown.Everything they tell you about wake turbulence is true. Though we were higher than the 737 and to its right; there was at that altitude a very slight tailwind; and that combined with the heat (perhaps causing rising columns of air from the ground) may have pushed the wake into our path. Contributing factors included my trying to keep the speed of the approach higher than I normally would; in keeping with ATC's request; and atmospheric conditions. Suggested amelioration: Keep farther back from the preceding aircraft; and even higher. Perhaps not try to be quite so helpful on the speed request: I'm sure they would still have waited for us to land.
PC-12 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence from a B737 on approach to a parallel runway at MIA.