JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 I want to talk honestly about the severe-to-extreme drought gripping the Jacksonville area. We are now more than 10 inches in the hole when it comes to rainfall.<\/p>\n
This dryness isn\u2019t just a meteorological number. It means the fire danger is a real concern almost everywhere. Even small actions can spark something dangerous in these conditions. If you\u2019re lighting a cigarette, or parking your car on dry grass, give it a second thought\u2014your exhaust could actually be enough to start a brush fire. The sad truth is that a lot of wildfires are caused by us, so this weather really calls for everyone to be extra thoughtful.<\/p>\n
The National Weather Service is advising all of us to shorten our showers and cut back on watering lawns and gardens until this pattern breaks. When a breeze picks up, gusts in the double digits can make those flames travel fast. It\u2019s definitely a time to stay alert and safe.<\/p>\n
Valentine\u2019s Day and weekend sunshine<\/p>\n
Now, let\u2019s talk about your plans for Valentine\u2019s Day and the weekend itself! I\u2019m happy to share that the forecast is looking wonderful for anyone who wants to get outside and enjoy. Saturday\u2014yes, that\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day this year\u2014will be sunny, mostly dry, and feeling really comfortable. Expect highs around 74 degrees, dipping down to about 45 degrees overnight. You\u2019ll want a jacket early, but it\u2019ll warm up beautifully.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re heading out with family, friends, or just enjoying time on your own, it\u2019s a great window for walks, outside dining, and playground time for the kids. I\u2019ll even admit, this kind of weather is the sort of \u201cgift\u201d I\u2019d offer instead of chocolates!<\/p>\n
Our highs will slide through the upper 60s and into the 70s all weekend across the Jacksonville area, and the streak of dry, mostly sunny weather is set to stick through Saturday.<\/p>\n
Rain coming, much-needed break<\/p>\n
There\u2019s some hopeful news on the horizon, though. Sunday brings us a weather system expected to push real rain back into the Northeast Florida region. I\u2019m tracking a good chance of showers starting Sunday and continuing into Monday morning, with rain chances up to 40 percent.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve been holding off on watering the garden or running those sprinklers, this could be your break. Look for highs near 80 degrees Sunday before we cool back down into the low 70s to start the week. The rain isn\u2019t guaranteed to erase our drought all at once, but it should help start to tip the balance after so many dry weeks.<\/p>\n