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Jacksonville weather: Hot holiday weekend ahead with scattered storms, says News4JAX meteorologist Katie Garner

Scattered rain possible; safety, prep tips for families and pets

Hot holiday weekend forecast

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hey Jacksonville! I want you to know what to expect as we head into a big holiday weekend. There’s been a lot of talk about storms and summer heat—so let’s break it all down together.

First, the good news: our forecast doesn’t show any major storms barreling our way. Exact Track 4D radar is looking pretty clear right now, and there’s nothing brewing in the tropics.

What you will notice is that heat. Daytime highs are expected to run above average, landing in the low 90s through the weekend and beyond. That’s 91 degrees today, and it should feel even warmer out there with a hot breeze. If you’re heading out for Jacksonville’s Jazz Fest tonight, you’re looking at 88 degrees around 5 p.m., dropping to 85 by 7 p.m., and down to 79 by about 9 p.m. Expect a little breeze that may feel good, but not much relief from the heat overall.

Overnight lows are forecast to be mild, sitting around 74 degrees. We’re expecting the heat to stick around until midweek, with some mid-to-high 80s returning after that.

Scattered storms, but not a washout

While you might spot a few showers during the high heat of the day, I expect those to be scattered and isolated—nothing that should ruin your weekend plans. Our rain chances stand at about 40 percent for both Saturday and Sunday, which means it’s not widespread and definitely not a washout.

Most of these showers will stay off the coast in the mornings, but a few could drift inland later. Be sure to keep an eye on Exact Track 4D and check our weather app especially if you see dark clouds at the beach or around the city.

If you want to help keep others prepared, don’t forget you can share your weather photos and videos with us through SnapJAX at news4jax.com/snapjax.

Prep advice for storms and heat

Now’s a great time to check your storm kit. Trust me, you don’t want to wait until something is already brewing in the Gulf because by then it may be too late to get flood insurance, especially if you live in a floodplain.

If you have a kit from last year, go through it now—some supplies might be expired and need replacing. Stock up on items that keep well, like canned soups and baby formula. Even snacks like Pop Tarts last for years (and yes, the kids will thank you for those).

One tip I love to share is to keep those old, spare phones and tablets charged—they work great for games and movies to keep the kids busy, so your primary phone stays fully charged for emergencies.

Heat safety for everyone, including pets

The biggest thing I want to emphasize is staying safe in the heat. Heat-related illness is a real concern when highs get into the 90s. Always make sure you’ve got sunscreen and water on hand.

And don’t forget your pets! The asphalt gets blazing hot by midday, so stick to the grass for those walks. I repeat this every forecast, but it’s important: keep your furry friends safe in the shade and keep those water bowls full.

If you need local weather updates, alerts, and to check Exact Track 4D, just visit our site for the latest.