Get ready to crank up those fans and stay hydrated because a scorching heat wave is on its way.
This weekend will not be as hot compared to what’s ahead. Starting from Wednesday, May 8, temperatures will soar into the mid-90s and linger there through next weekend before finally easing up on Monday.
This impending heat wave marks the hottest temperatures we’ve seen so far this year, rivaling the sweltering summer heat we’re all too familiar with.
For weather historians, this impending heat wave brings back memories of September last year, the last time Jacksonville airport experienced such scorching temperatures. Mid-90-degree heat is unusual for this early in the season, but it can indeed occur. For instance, Jacksonville reached 95 degrees as early as April 21, 1968.
Record crunching
Prepare for potentially record-breaking temperatures next week. On Thursday, May 9, we could close the gap to the previous record of 96 degrees set back in 1962. Then, on May 10, we’ll be aiming to surpass the 94-degree record from 2017. But that’s not all – on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, we’ll stay hot just short of the two 98-degree days back in 1955.
What is creating the heat surge?
It all boils down to a blocking ridge of upper-level high pressure settling over the southeast. This atmospheric phenomenon is compressing the air, trapping heat beneath it, and driving temperatures up. Additionally, hot southwest winds will be blowing into the greater Jacksonville area, exacerbating the already soaring temperatures.
Parched conditions with the heat
Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse as April already finished with a rainfall deficit of over ¾ of an inch. And the bad news continues as the drying trend is expected to persist. Beyond this Monday, rain chances drop significantly, with little to no precipitation forecasted for the entire week. This spells trouble for our parched landscapes, raising the risk of wildfires and could draw the drought northward from Central Florida.