JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Overnight rain has left the roads wet as you head out the door this morning, and that’s just the start of a wet pattern sticking with us through the weekend.
We’re tracking rain returning later today and ramping up through the weekend. It’s not going to be a total washout, but I wouldn’t call it great – Sunday looks like the wettest and stormiest of the days ahead.
Grab the raincoat, not the umbrella, especially for the kids. With winds picking up, umbrellas are likely to get tossed around.
Early morning temps are right around 73 degrees, climbing to about 79 by 3 p.m.
Expect off-and-on showers and the possibility of thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon.
On Exact Track 4D, we’re watching spotty showers rolling through places like Fernandina Beach, Callahan, the Northside of Jacksonville, Palm Coast, and Flagler Beach.
The heaviest downpours and thunderstorms are most likely this afternoon.
For Friday night football, I expect most games will still play, as these showers look quick-moving – but bring your poncho, because you may get caught in a pop-up storm.
Heaviest rain expected Sunday
Saturday brings a mix of spottier showers, mainly in the morning and early afternoon west of Jacksonville in spots like Lake City and Macclenny, moving into St. Marys. The rain picks up again after lunch, with heavier showers possible in Palatka.
Sunday is the one to watch. Heavy steady showers are expected to start early, especially along the coast and around Palatka, Palm Coast, Orange Park, and Macclenny, then spread into the Jacksonville metro area from 9 a.m. onward.
These showers are forecast to linger into the afternoon and possibly the evening.
Winds will get strong, too – especially near the coast where sustained speeds are already in the teens, with gusts likely reaching into the 30s. Anything outside that could blow away should be brought in.
Tropical system and safety tips
On the tropical front, it’s not a high threat right now, but there is a low pressure system expected to develop in the tropics with about a 10% chance of tropical development over the next week.
It’s this system that could help fuel the extra wind, rain, and higher rip current risk we’re seeing for the weekend.
There’s also another disturbance off Africa’s coast I’m keeping an eye on, but right now, there’s no indication it will impact our area.
For beachgoers, the rip current risk is high today and through the weekend. If you’re heading out, use extra caution near the surf.
Temperatures through midday into late afternoon will rise into the low 80s, with a 30% chance of rain by noon, increasing to about 40% by mid-afternoon.
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