Jacksonville residents might want to keep their umbrellas handy and stay clear of the beach as a mixed bag of weather rolls through this week, and a rip current statement places a hazard on coastal activities. The National Weather Service in Jacksonville reports mostly cloudy skies with a cool 61 degrees Fahrenheit and a dewpoint of 56 degrees, providing a chill in the air and a humidity that clings at 84 percent. The NWS forecasts a 30 percent chance of showers throughout the day with a high reaching up to 71 degrees and persistent northeast winds.
Tonight, the likelihood of rainfall increases slightly to 40%, cloud cover remains constant, with temperatures dipping to around 63 degrees. The wind, shifting from northeast to south after midnight, could bring gusts as high as 15 mph. For beachgoers, heed the warning: the National Weather Service issued a high rip current risk advisory valid through late tonight, advising swimmers to exercise caution due to dangerous rip currents expected along Northeast Florida Beaches.
As the week progresses, tomorrow's weather seems to be the most perturbed, with a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly before 4 pm. The NWS specifies a possible increase in wind strength, as a south wind blows at 13 to 16 mph, and gusts might rise as high as 24 mph. This could lead to new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, but with thunderstorms in the mix, higher amounts are possible. Meanwhile, the night time will offer a reprieve as partly cloudy skies usher in a cooler low around 46 degrees.
Midweek forecasts promise sunnier outlooks with Wednesday displaying clear skies and a high near 64 degrees, though the nights remain partly cloudy and cool at around 45 degrees. Thursday trends similarly with sunshine taking precedence and a daytime high of 67 degrees. However, moving into the weekend, shower chances bubble up again to 20 percent by Friday afternoon and increase to 60 percent by Saturday. The NWS doesn't expect the skies to clear significantly until Sunday, when there's a slight chance of sunshine with a 30 percent chance of showers and a high near 67 degrees.
The rip current statement remains the most pressing concern, especially for those eyeing the beach despite the inclement conditions. The NWS makes it clear: "Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help." The alert covers Coastal Nassau, Coastal Duval, Coastal Flagler, Northeast Coastal St. Johns, and Southeast Coastal St. Johns until late tonight. For updates and further details, residents and visitors should regularly check the NWS website or local forecasts.
