Chilly morning, but warmth expected<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Hey Jacksonville, I know it was tough stepping out the door this morning without a jacket. It\u2019s been chilly for sure, with temperatures at the airport clocking in at 42 degrees and a \u201cfeels like\u201d temp of just 38.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve got friends or family just north in Georgia, they might have been even colder, with some spots seeing readings in the 30s and a frost advisory through 9 a.m.<\/p>\n
But hang tight! The cold isn\u2019t sticking around. With winds still in the teens and low 20s near the coast, it definitely feels brisk out there, especially early. But as the day rolls on, we\u2019re going to warm up in a big way. Jacksonville is expected to hit the upper 60s by afternoon, with a rapid climb to 75 degrees by Friday and even warmer beach weather on the way for the weekend. We\u2019re talking 84 to 88 degrees through Monday, so if you\u2019re ready for sand and sun, this is your forecast!<\/p>\n
By the middle of next week, daytime highs drop back into the 70s \u2013 right around our normal range. So, a little patience now means a big payoff later in the week if you love the heat.<\/p>\n
Drought getting worse, rain missing<\/p>\n
I wish I could bring you more promising rain news, but our area is missing out on any substantial showers. Exact Track 4D and the drought monitor are both showing how dry things are right now. I\u2019m seeing big areas in red\u2014clear signs of drought stress on our lawns and local landscapes.<\/p>\n
The National Weather Service has put out a reminder: Try to limit watering your lawn to once a week while these dry conditions stick around. Conserving water is more important than ever, and while I know it\u2019s a stretch for some, doing what we can now will help us all out in the long run. There\u2019s no significant rain expected in the forecast, so let\u2019s keep hoping for a little help from above.<\/p>\n
Increased fire and smoke risks<\/p>\n
Because we\u2019re so dry, I\u2019m also tracking an increase in smoke and fire risk, especially to our north. My fire and smoke overlays on Exact Track 4D show multiple hotspots\u2014likely brush fires starting up in these parched conditions.<\/p>\n
These fires can happen before you know it, sometimes from small, unintentional actions. You\u2019ll want to be especially careful around grills, outdoor equipment, and anything else that could spark. I\u2019ll have fire safety tips coming up at 6 p.m., but in the meantime, give yourself and your neighbors a little grace if you see some haze. Staying safe and aware is our best bet until we get some needed precipitation.<\/p>\n
Stay connected \u2013 share your weather photos<\/p>\n