JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 I\u2019m tracking a beautiful, warm start to the week across Jacksonville. <\/p>\n
We kicked off this morning with temperatures dipping into the upper 40s for spots like Jacksonville at 48 degrees and Brunswick at 47, while the coast, including places like St. Augustine, held onto some extra warmth at 62 degrees.<\/p>\n
Expect a mild pattern for the kids waiting at the bus stop\u2014I\u2019m seeing 58 degrees at 7 a.m., and by 3 p.m., we\u2019re reaching a sunny 78 degrees, so it\u2019s perfect weather for being outside. <\/p>\n
Today is dry and clear, with the high around 81 degrees. Tonight, expect things to cool off to about 59 degrees under mostly clear skies.<\/p>\n
As we move into the week, Monday and Tuesday both look mostly sunny with little or no rain expected. <\/p>\n
But keep an eye on the middle of the week: scattered showers pop into the forecast, at just a 5% to 10% chance by Tuesday, and that increases to 10% Wednesday and 30% Thursday and Friday. <\/p>\n
Most of these showers will be light, so don\u2019t expect your rain gauge to fill up.<\/p>\n
When you look at the next several days, temperatures really jump into the 90s starting Wednesday and Thursday.<\/p>\n
After a mild start, Jacksonville\u2019s highs will roll from 81 on Monday to 85 on Tuesday, all the way up to 92 on Wednesday and 93 on Thursday, before a return to the 80s by the weekend. Overnight lows will stick in the 50s and 60s all week long.<\/p>\n
Drought monitor: Still waiting for relief<\/p>\n
Right now, across our area, we\u2019re still in a significant rain deficit\u2014roughly 15 to 25 inches down. <\/p>\n
The recent rain we\u2019ve seen helped in some spots, but it\u2019s going to take a lot more than a couple of quick showers to turn our drought situation around. <\/p>\n
The Exact Track 4D radar is quiet today, and while we are hoping for a little more rain mid- to late-week, forecasts show only spotty and brief showers on the way.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve been watching dry lawns or wondering about wildfire risk, just know this dry pattern isn\u2019t shifting much for now. Any rain is better than no rain, but we\u2019re still a long way from catching up.<\/p>\n
Memorial Day projects<\/p>\n
All this dry, sunny weather is great news for folks planning outdoor activities or community projects. <\/p>\n
This week will be just about perfect if you\u2019re heading out\u2014I\u2019ve been watching inspiring stories, like the local Girl Scout organizing a Memorial Day tribute at the cemetery.<\/p>\n
Early week weather sets up beautifully for anything you\u2019ve got planned outdoors, though you might want to plan those events before rain chances increase midweek.<\/p>\n