JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Jacksonville and all of Northeast Florida are still dealing with a pretty extreme drought. That\u2019s not just a line on a map; it\u2019s so dry out there that even a little wind can turn a small brush fire into a big problem.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve had a few brush fires already, and if you\u2019ve seen smoke in the area, that\u2019s likely what you\u2019re smelling.<\/p>\n
The radar has been picking up on some of those smoke plumes, and trust me, brush fire smoke isn\u2019t just unpleasant\u2014it\u2019s filled with chemicals that are tough on your health.<\/p>\n
So please keep an eye out and stay cautious whenever you notice smoke or haze, especially since these fires can spread really quickly.<\/p>\n
Rain showers expected, but not enough<\/p>\n
I know some of us got a little hopeful when we saw those clouds\u2014but today\u2019s showers are mostly light and not everyone will even see them. <\/p>\n
Last night, we had just enough rain to leave a few droplets on my car this morning, and we might get a few more passing showers through the rest of the day.<\/p>\n
According to Exact Track 4D, this isn\u2019t the rain that\u2019s going to fix our drought. Any showers we get are light, and it won\u2019t be enough to move the needle on those big red patches on the drought monitor. But every little drop helps!<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re like me and have a pet who hates walking in the rain, you might not even notice the rain today unless you catch one of these quick showers\u2014or spot a damp sidewalk here or there.<\/p>\n
Mild temps and a breezy weekend outlook<\/p>\n
On the temperature front, it\u2019s actually been pretty comfortable. Most of you started the morning in the upper 50s and low 60s, with highs today around 73 degrees\u2014so below average for late March.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll definitely feel the breeze, especially closer to the coast, where winds are gusting over 20 miles per hour at times. That\u2019s been making things feel a bit cooler, and if you\u2019re headed out near the marinas, don\u2019t be surprised by those flags whipping in the wind.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, the temperature is going to heat up fast\u2014Friday\u2019s high is expected to hit close to 90 degrees! Don\u2019t forget your sunscreen and water if you\u2019re planning anything outdoors.<\/p>\n
But here\u2019s some good news: the weekend is looking great and mild, with highs in the mid-70s and only a 10 percent chance of a quick shower either Saturday or Sunday.<\/p>\n
So if you\u2019re thinking about heading to the beach or spending some time outside, it\u2019s shaping up to be the perfect time to do it.<\/p>\n