Cold temperatures ring in new year<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Good morning and Happy New Year! Jacksonville is really starting 2026 on a chilly note. I\u2019m watching temperatures sitting at 33 degrees early this morning, and Exact Track 4D radar confirms some areas are feeling closer to 28\u2014that\u2019s definitely a bitter wind chill.<\/p>\n
I know, Mother Nature feels a little disrespectful right now! We have frost advisories and freeze warnings in place, so make sure you bundle up if you\u2019re heading out the door, especially in the early hours. That cold air isn\u2019t just inconvenient\u2014it can really catch you off guard.<\/p>\n
Severe drought stretches across region<\/p>\n
Now, let\u2019s talk about our next big concern\u2014our ongoing drought. The latest drought monitor shows a severe drought ranging from Waycross down to Gainesville, with moderate drought conditions for just about everyone else in our area. Yes, it\u2019s dry as a bone right now, and that can really take a toll on those gardens and lawns.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re all feeling it, and I can tell you, it\u2019s a top concern as we head into January. We still need a real soak to get those soil conditions back on track.<\/p>\n
Weekend rain relief and milder weather coming<\/p>\n
Thankfully, there\u2019s reason to be optimistic about some relief. I\u2019m seeing spotty showers in the forecast for Friday, and it\u2019s likely we\u2019ll get more meaningful rain on Saturday. If you have outdoor plans, just keep an umbrella close by!<\/p>\n
Sunday looks better, especially if you\u2019re planning to catch the Jags game\u2014there\u2019s only a 20 percent chance of showers right around game time, so it\u2019s expected to be mostly dry. After that, we\u2019ll start to see low temperatures climb out of the 30s and settle in the 40s and 50s, with highs warming up to the 70s for a much nicer start to next week.<\/p>\n
Day-to-day details and lifestyle updates<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking the dog or planning some gardening today, keep those layers handy! Morning temps are sticking to the 30s but could reach the 60s by afternoon under clear skies. Remember, we\u2019re still in a drought, so conserving water is smart\u2014but those weekend showers should help a little.<\/p>\n
And if you\u2019re a plant lover, just know that Saturday\u2019s rain is expected to give those gardens a bit of a boost. For my fellow \u201cplant-challenged\u201d folks\u2014all my plants are fake or already gone, so I\u2019m right there with you!<\/p>\n
Share what you\u2019re experiencing<\/p>\n