Valentine’s forecast: Warm, but rain returns
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hey friends, it’s Katie Garner with News4JAX and The Weather Authority, and I’ve got your Valentine’s weekend weather update!
If you’re making any plans for Saturday, you’ll be happy to know the weather is expected to be pretty fantastic. We should see highs around 73 degrees and mostly clear skies—perfect for those Galentine’s lunches, golf, or a stroll with the dogs.
Sunday is where things change. We’re forecast to get some much-needed rain, with showers most likely moving in late Sunday afternoon into the evening and sticking around overnight. By the time the rain wraps up Monday morning, Exact Track 4D is showing we could see anywhere from about an inch to possibly an inch and a half of rain, especially in Jacksonville, Macclenny, and Orange Park.
There’s also an expected risk for some thunderstorms Sunday evening, and there’s a marginal (level one) risk for severe weather. That means we may see a few storms that pack a little extra punch, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the sky and check those updates.
Overall, enjoy Saturday outdoors if you can—it’s looking like Sunday will be best spent inside, maybe with some chocolate and movies.
Drought and fire danger in our area
Here’s the reality: we are still in an extreme drought across much of our viewing area, and the maps show we’re about 10 inches below where we should be for rainfall this year. That’s nearly a foot! Air quality is moderate right now, especially from Brunswick and St. Marys all the way down into Jacksonville.
With things this dry, our fire risk stays high. Even though wind gusts are down right now, it’s super important to follow some fire safety tips to keep everyone safe. Don’t use fire pits, and if you smoke, be sure to put your cigarette butts out completely and dispose of them properly. And never park your car on dry grass—hot exhaust can spark a fire before you know it.
The rain coming in Sunday should help, but we’ll need quite a bit more to really make a difference in our drought situation. I’ll be keeping you updated as new information comes in.
Everyday impacts and local tips
Temperatures are starting out chilly in the mornings—grab a coat if you’re heading outside early! By midday, things will warm up nicely. If you’re planning to hit the golf course or take the pups out for a walk, Saturday is your day, with highs expected around 73 degrees and mostly clear skies.
I love sharing weather stories with you—did you know one year, viewers sent me a life-size bear for Valentine’s? Keep those fun stories and photos coming by sending your best shots to SnapJAX at news4jax.com/snapjax.
Looking ahead, after our rain event wraps up, temperatures will bounce back into the 80s by next Thursday. Not bad for February!