JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you’ve been outside lately, you know how dry it is. Fire weather is a big deal for us right now in Jacksonville and across Northeast Florida.
I’m tracking the latest conditions here at News4JAX with The Weather Authority and Exact Track 4D radar, and we are seeing extreme to exceptional drought around the area — and honestly, I don’t expect those conditions to improve any time soon.
The wind gusts along the coast are easing up, now down in the teens, which helps reduce fire danger a bit.
Still, I want everyone to keep doing what you’re doing: you’ve let me know you aren’t burning, and I can’t thank you enough for thinking about safety.
We all need to stay extra cautious with any potential fire sources until we get real, soaking rain.
Sunny skies and rising heat
Even though we’re loving the sunshine, these dry conditions are sticking around.
This morning started mild, around 62 degrees at 7 a.m., and I expect us to reach 83 degrees by mid-afternoon.
It’s going to be a beautiful, sun-filled day with temperatures staying well above our usual for this time of year.
For tonight, skies will stay mostly clear, and temperatures are likely to fall into the mid to upper 60s.
Get ready for even more heat! Wednesday and Thursday, I’m forecasting daytime highs in the 90s — about 10 degrees above what we’d typically see. So break out the shades and the sunscreen!
Rain chances might bring some relief
I know we’re all hoping for some rain, and there’s a glimmer of hope. Using Exact Track 4D, I’m watching for a 30% chance of showers on Thursday, and a 50% chance on both Friday and the start of next week (Monday).
Most of these will be scattered, with isolated areas seeing the wet weather Thursday through Sunday.
Not everyone will get relief, but it’s the best chance we’ve seen so far to knock back the dry spell.
Once that rain does arrive, temperatures look to drop back into the mid-80s. Lows overnight will keep in the 50s and 60s — a little more comfortable all around if the rain helps cool us down.
Stay weather aware and share
I’ll be tracking every update for you on News4JAX.com and The Weather Authority. If you capture photos or videos of the weather in your neighborhood, you can share them with me and the rest of Jacksonville by uploading them at SnapJAX.
Keep up the great work staying fire safe and keeping an eye on changing conditions.