Drought conditions remain serious<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Let\u2019s talk about what\u2019s really grabbing my attention right now: the drought. Here in Jacksonville, we\u2019re 20 to 25 inches behind on rainfall in some spots. Even with the rain we saw last week, it just isn\u2019t making a dent.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re keeping track, it\u2019s going to take a lot more rain events to get us out of this dry pattern. But those just aren\u2019t in the forecast right now.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve all noticed how tough fire weather has been lately. And with the ground so dry, all of us are being asked to water lawns and gardens just once a week. I know most of my plants\u2014if they\u2019re not fake, they\u2019re probably about done for!<\/p>\n
This weekend: warm, sunny, and dry<\/p>\n
Looking at your Exact Track 4D forecast, I\u2019m telling you to keep those sunglasses handy for this weekend. Saturday we\u2019re expected to hit 81 degrees. Sunday, even a little warmer at 82 degrees. Nights will stay comfortable, dipping down to about 57.<\/p>\n
Thanks to a big area of high pressure parked nearby, skies are expected to stay clear. Winds are calm, north at 3 miles per hour, and there\u2019s really nothing on the radar through at least midweek. Great beach days ahead\u2014and aren\u2019t we lucky to live so close to the water?<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re making brunch plans or hoping to get outside, this weekend will deliver. No need to look for umbrellas. There\u2019s not a rain chance in sight on the 7-day, and highs will stay right in the 80s, climbing into the mid- to upper-80s as we push toward Wednesday and Thursday.<\/p>\n
So if your patio is calling, go enjoy it! Just remember to be water-wise in your yard, and keep an eye out for any sprinklers that are wasting water\u2014every drop counts right now.<\/p>\n
Community, structure, and sunny outlooks<\/p>\n
While the weather news is mostly dry, I had a fun chat with the morning team about how important structure and discipline are for kids, especially now. We talked about the value of afterschool activities like karate, and how much it can mean to have those options in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Speaking of keeping things light, I\u2019ll admit\u2014my own karate career didn\u2019t last long. But if you spot me at the beach this weekend, I\u2019ll be soaking up the sunshine and hoping you\u2019re making the most of this streak of gorgeous, if very dry, weather.<\/p>\n