Jacksonville awakes to 'record cold'

We've had quite the spell of wild weather, but this morning's low of 59 was not just the coldest for any June 18 in Jacksonville's history, it was also the coldest morning ever this late in the spring.

While summer will officially begins at 7:09 p.m. on June 20, the meteorological start actually was on June 1.

Where did our June chill come from? It all relates back to the same pattern that brought all our rainfall. The North Atlantic oscillation (a large-scale weather pattern) had oscillated to a position that brings below-normal temperatures to the eastern United States. When the pattern was strong, we got heavy rainfall. As it transitions back to a normal position, our air dries out and we get a final chill.

That resulted in Monday morning's low temperature.

But don't get used to the cool, dry air. By this weekend, the heat and humidity return with normal afternoon and evening storms.