JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – I don’t know about you, but this past weekend felt like someone turned Florida into a giant sauna. By 8 in the morning at the Gate River Run, folks were already sweating—and I could feel it too.
Temperatures started off in the high 60s across Jacksonville, even hitting 70 before sunrise in Gainesville.
Across the board, we are seeing temps in the mid to upper 60s before breakfast, with highs expected to climb near 90. If you’re itching for a break from winter, Mother Nature is definitely delivering some heat this week.
I know the time change had us all dragging, but if you’re heading out for a jog, recess, or running errands, be sure to stay hydrated—I’ll remind myself to put down the Diet Coke and pick up some water, too!
Drought continues for Jacksonville area
Now, let’s talk about what’s happening on the ground. Even though we picked up some rain yesterday, it honestly didn’t make a dent.
Based on the latest drought monitor, Southeast Georgia is now under extreme drought, and Jacksonville is running dry too.
I get emails from viewers asking if recent showers helped, and I wish I could say yes. Right now, we’ve got to be mindful about conserving water. The ground and gardens need every drop.
On a positive note, the fire and smoke risk remains low, so I’m not tracking any major smoke issues in our area right now.
Rain expected midweek and a cooldown
Let’s take a peek at what’s next. Our Exact Track 4D radar is showing a slim chance—about 10 to 30 percent—of pop-up rain through today, with most of the activity north of us. By Wednesday and especially Thursday, I’m forecasting better rain chances with some heavier showers possible.
Thursday’s looking like our best shot with a 50% chance of some much-needed rain. It won’t be a washout, but any little pop-up downpour will help chip away at these dry conditions.
After that, it’s looking like we’ll finally catch a break from the heat. Temperatures are forecast to dip back into the 70s for Friday and Saturday, then around 80 by Sunday. So, keep that hope alive for the end of the week!
Stay safe and share your weather moments
My advice? Keep cool, take it easy in the afternoons, and don’t forget to check the playground and gardening forecasts before heading outside.
And if you grab a great weather shot (rain, shine, or anything in between), I’d love to see it—send your photos to SnapJAX!