JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville is baking and not just in the figurative sense.
Tuesday marks the fourth straight day of temperatures reaching 99 degrees or higher, a sizzling heat streak that’s drawing comparisons to some of the hottest stretches ever recorded in Northeast Florida.
RELATED: Extreme heat warning issued through tonight as brutal triple-digit heat index continues
For perspective, the longest run of consecutive days at or above 99 degrees in Jacksonville is eight days. We’re already halfway there, and with blistering high pressure parked overhead, this stretch could very well continue.
On Monday, Jacksonville peaked at 101, just short of the record-high 104. In Gainesville, however, a daily record was broken after temperatures hit 100 degrees, which topped the old record of 97, showcasing how the heat is stretching across north Florida.
According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, this July currently ranks among the top 10 hottest Julys on record for Jacksonville. With just two days left in the month, that ranking is likely to hold—or possibly climb even higher.
The average high this month is 94.3 degrees, running about 2 degrees above normal for July. That margin may sound modest, but in meteorological terms, a consistent +2°F anomaly over a month is significant—especially when the baseline is already hot.
To underscore the danger, the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning through 7 p.m. on Tuesday, marking the third consecutive day under such a warning.
And it won’t be the last. Expect heat warnings or advisories to remain in effect through Friday as triple-digit heat indices continue to grip the region.
This isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous. The cumulative effect of extreme heat is taxing on the human body, infrastructure, and energy systems. It’s why heat remains the leading weather-related killer in the U.S. most years.
But what’s driving the heat? A combination of factors, including a dome of strong, stubborn high pressure that traps hot, dry air over the region. With few clouds, limited sea breezes, and barely any rain to cool us down, the sun is free to do its worst.
It’s the kind of pattern that doesn’t just cook the surface—it keeps it cooking day after day.
The good news? Relief is on the horizon. As we move into the weekend, highs will trend back toward near-normal levels in the low 90s, with slightly better rain chances returning.
But until then:
- Limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours.
- Stay hydrated and check on vulnerable neighbors.
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.