JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Kicking-off the weekend forecast with a beautiful start to our Saturday with warm northeasterly breezes and just a few isolated and rather random coastal showers. These showers will be mainly east of I-95 to the beaches and impact just a handful of areas. Morning temperatures starting off in the 60s west of town to near, yep, 80° at the beach.
Whew!
Yes, the heat is still with us, maybe not as oppressive as it was earlier this week (Tuesday had a high feel-like temperature of 100°) the heat will hang in throughout the weekend. Saturday's highs will be in the mid 80s. Northeasterly winds will help cut the heat down as winds gust up to 20 mph at the beach.
Speaking of which, beach conditions will be at their best since Irma. Deep tropical blue skies and a few puffy coastal clouds (maybe a brief shower) will dominate. Water temperatures are still in the low 80s, something we won't see by next weekend and this will allow afternoon highs at the beach to reach just barely into the low 80s.
Surf and seas will be choppy and moderate in size. Surf up to 4' will develop a nasty beach break at times of high tide. Seas offshore will be up to 5'. Rip currents will be out there so stay alert and don't panic if you get into one.
Sunday, easterly winds will fade averaging 7-12 mph but we have slightly better chance to see a coastal shower wander onshore and even push inland. Afternoon highs will be in the mid 80s with partly cloudy to partly sunny skies.
The Jags game will be warm, with a 30% chance for a passing shower. Temperatures will be in the upper 80s for tailgating and kickoff, getting down into the low 80s by the end of the game.
Monday, a front slides toward us. Expect widespread showers and a few thunderstorms, especially to the North of the state line. The chances for rain linger overnight and into Tuesday's forecast. Behind the front is a highly anticipated cool down. starting Tuesday, expect to top out in the upper 70s.
Tropical update: Ophelia is a Category 2 hurricane that will impact the west coast of Ireland in less than 3 days. This will be the first hurricane to impact Ireland since 1961 when hurricane Debbie hit the Emerald Coast.