JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you’ve been loving the drier weather lately, I have a heads-up — big changes are blowing in.
Throughout today and especially into Saturday, wind gusts along the coast are expected to top out in the mid-30s, with some beaches seeing gusts around 34-36 mph.
You’ll feel it whether you’re walking your dog or hitting the road, since gusty winds can sway cars and make it tougher to steer.
If you live along the coast or have lightweight outdoor items, it’s a good idea to pull those things in and keep an eye on where you park — falling limbs are likely with the way these winds are shaping up.
We’ve seen gusty conditions all week, but they’re expected to heighten during the weekend.
Exact Track 4D shows those wind gusts staying pretty steady through Saturday and Sunday, ranging from the 20s well into the 30s.
Messy surf and possible debris are likely, so play it safe out there.
On-and-off showers possible
As we pivot into the weekend, showers are in the forecast — but it’s not a washout. We’re looking at about a 30% chance of rain, mostly light and pretty hit-or-miss.
Heavier showers are expected farther south, closer to the low pressure system sitting near south and central Florida.
For most of us, Saturday morning is when some of those rain bands could start popping through St. Augustine and up toward Jacksonville and Green Cove Springs.
The highest rain chances are by the coast, about 10% to 20%, with just a 5% chance inland.
Right now, there’s a coastal flood advisory in place because tides are running high, amplified by the wind.
If you’re planning to catch the Jumbo Shrimp games or any outdoor plans, it’s smart to pack a poncho — short, light showers could swing by, but significant rain at the ballpark isn’t expected based on current data.
Of course, things can change fast, so stay tuned for updates.
Have a great weather shot or rain photo from your neighborhood? Share it with us at SnapJAX — we love seeing your weather moments!
Monitoring tropical system
While we stay on top of the weekend’s wind and rain, I’m also keeping an eye on a developing system in the Atlantic. There’s about a 40% chance it could become a tropical depression over the next week.
It’s too early to say how or if it’ll affect us, but The Weather Authority is tracking it closely and will have updates as things evolve.
For now, expect temperatures to hover in the mid-80s through most of the week, with upper 80s returning by Thursday and a gradually decreasing rain chance.