JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Let\u2019s talk about the drought that\u2019s taking hold across Jacksonville and nearby areas.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m seeing \u201cextreme to exceptional drought\u201d conditions on our drought monitor. When I check the rainfall totals, we\u2019re facing a deficit in the 20 to 25+ inch range. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s not something we\u2019re going to make up quickly\u2014last week\u2019s rain barely made a dent.<\/p>\n
For now, it\u2019s more important than ever to keep conserving water, just like you\u2019ve been doing. Watering your lawn once a week is smart, even if your grass is looking rough. We all have to pitch in!<\/p>\n
The forecast? Don\u2019t count on a soaking anytime soon. I\u2019m only expecting an isolated 10% chance of rain going into Sunday and Monday. That likely won\u2019t be enough to help the drought.<\/p>\n
Hot stretch in the forecast<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s talk temperatures. This week starts off feeling great in the 50s and 60s by morning, but by afternoon, it\u2019ll warm up quickly. <\/p>\n
We\u2019re looking at highs around 84 degrees today, jumping into the 90s by Friday and through the weekend.<\/p>\n
This dry, warm pattern is sticking around.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t be surprised if you see 90 degrees on the thermometer before you know it. Keep in mind, I expect those temperatures to stick through Sunday before finally dropping back into the 70s next Monday.<\/p>\n
The mornings may start with a little cloud cover, but that\u2019ll clear up and give us sunny skies for most of the day.<\/p>\n
Stay safe and healthy in the heat<\/p>\n
Something else I\u2019ve noticed: Just about everyone out and about lately is carrying water\u2014and that\u2019s a smart move. With these higher temps, staying hydrated is one of the best ways to keep cool.<\/p>\n
As we get into the 90s, be mindful of heat-related issues. I\u2019m talking about heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat rash, and of course, sunburn. <\/p>\n
Look out for each other\u2014especially if you have kids heading to the playground, since they\u2019ll love the warm weather but need extra water breaks.<\/p>\n
Air quality is another thing to watch, especially in Palm Coast, where it\u2019s moderate right now. If you have COPD, emphysema, or asthma, take it easy on those days when the air isn\u2019t as clear.<\/p>\n
One more reminder\u2014keep fire safety in mind. We\u2019ve had some quick-burning fires pop up, like the one in Baker County recently. With our dry stretch, staying cautious makes a difference.<\/p>\n