JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 It is cold outside, and I want you to feel prepared this morning! That breeze is biting, and if you\u2019re anything like me, you might have grabbed the wrong outfit heading out the door.<\/p>\n
Right now, we\u2019ve got 46 degrees in Waycross, 43 in Macclenny, and it\u2019s 50 in Jacksonville\u2014same on the coast. These numbers don\u2019t lie, and you\u2019ll want layers early, especially as the wind gusts pick up and then settle back down throughout the day.<\/p>\n
Tonight drops to about 36 degrees. That\u2019s definitely on the painful side for December in our area, and there\u2019s a Frost Advisory and Freeze Warning expected for Southeast Georgia and parts of Northeast Florida.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re sending kids to the bus stop, remember those extra layers. Even with a quick step out to grab the paper or walk the dog, it\u2019s going to be brisk\u2014trust me, you\u2019ll thank yourself for planning ahead.<\/p>\n
Dry stretch continues: drought still a concern<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s talk about the big picture: it\u2019s dry, we need the rain, and the drought is still an issue. The Exact Track 4D radar and Drought Monitor both show the same story\u2014almost no help from Mother Nature for your garden or yard this week.<\/p>\n
We aren\u2019t expecting much moisture. Out of the next seven days, six will likely stay dry, with just about a 10 percent chance of spotty rain showers on Sunday.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re lighting up a fire pit or spending time outdoors, be extra careful. The lack of rain makes things a little riskier, especially with wind in the mix.<\/p>\n
As I always say, my gardening skills aren\u2019t the best\u2014my plants are either plastic or struggling! But if you\u2019ve got a green thumb, you\u2019re going to need to get some hands-on time in the yard since Mother Nature\u2019s taking a break from watering your plants.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead: mild weekend, small rain chance<\/p>\n
The good news: our weekend is shaping up nicely. Friday and Saturday are expected to feel more comfortable, with highs reaching 62 degrees today and warming up to 68 degrees tomorrow in Jacksonville. Sunday should stay mild, with just a small chance for a shower.<\/p>\n
Our three-day forecast has us in the 60s and 70s, a nudge above average for this time of year. Lows are still going to sting\u2014cold mornings carry through Saturday.<\/p>\n
After the weekend, when that next system sweeps in and gives us our slim shot at rain, expect a drop in temperatures to start the next week.<\/p>\n