JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Smoke from the wildfire in Layfette County continues to impact our area this morning thanks to a southwesterly wind. Air quality is a concern this morning as levels at one point in Jacksonville were in the “very unhealthy” range.
The good news is that a front will stall just south of our area today, which will turn the wind northeasterly. This will push the dense smoke out of our area, which will allow air quality to improve.
Temperatures won’t be as hot due to a mostly cloudy sky. Highs for the day will be in the mid to upper 80s.
Rain and storm coverage will be isolated today, with the highest coverage along and south of Putnam and St. Johns Counties.
Rain and storm chances will increase this weekend as the front moves back into our region. Scattered showers and storms are likely on Saturday and Sunday with highs in the mid to upper 80s.
The front will linger near our area early next week, which will keep showers and storms in the forecast on Monday. Temperatures will remain in the 80s
The front will clear our region on Tuesday. Sunshine will return thanks to drier air and temperatures will not be as warm, in the mid to upper 70s.
In terms of rainfall, the front will bring beneficial rainfall to our area with some spots picking up around an inch or more of rain. We will certainly take anything that we can get due to the drought.
Regarding the drought, the latest drought monitor reflects the overall pattern over the past few months. Most of our area remains in an extreme drought. An exceptional drought classification has been expanded to include more of our area.
TODAY: Mostly Cloudy. Isolated Rain & Storms. High 85.
TONIGHT: Partly Cloudy. Low 67.
SATURDAY: Partly to Mostly Cloudy. Scattered Rain & Storms. High 87, Low 69.
SUNDAY: Partly to Mostly Cloudy. Scattered Rain & Storms. High 89, Low 69.
MONDAY: Partly to Mostly Cloudy. Scattered Rain & Storms. High 88, Low 62.
TUESDAY: Sun & Clouds. High 80, Low 61.
WEDNESDAY: Sun & Clouds. High 86, Low 63.