JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Right now, we’re dealing with a tough situation across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Severe to extreme drought just keeps hanging around—and it’s making fire danger a real concern this week.
The ground is dry, those gusty winds aren’t helping, and even though it’s not something we ever want to see, it’s where we are today. Our drought monitor is showing some of the harshest conditions we’ve had in a while.
Rain is finally in the forecast
I know a lot of you are hoping for rain, and honestly, so am I. According to our Exact Track 4D radar and futurecast, some rain is expected to move through the area today. The morning commute might see a few showers, but the best chance for meaningful rain will come Sunday.
It could be enough to give us a little relief, but it’s not going to be a drought-buster. Still, every drop matters right now.
The 7-day forecast shows Sunday jumping up to 80% with highs near 78 degrees. If you’re outside Sunday or Monday (40%), keep that rain gear handy!
I’m watching those totals and will keep everyone updated, especially as conditions can change quickly during a drought. At the moment, we are almost a foot behind where we should be for rainfall—a big deficit that’ll take time to recover.
Temperature trends and wind updates
Temperatures are staying pretty mild for February—expect highs from the upper 60s to the mid 70s through the weekend.
Lows are sticking in the 40s and 50s, with Friday morning as our coolest start.
Average lows this time of year are right at 45 degrees, so if you’re heading out early on Friday, you’ll need that extra layer.
Wind remains a factor, especially with speeds and gusts that can range from 5 to 20 mph depending on the time of day.
This is part of what makes fire danger such a risk right now—dry ground plus breezy conditions is never a good combo.
By the way, if you ever spot something interesting in the weather near you—or just want to show off the beauty (or the beast mode) of Jacksonville’s skies—share your photos and videos with us on SnapJAX at news4jax.com/snapjax/. We love seeing your perspective!