Friday, Feb. 20 started out soupy in Jacksonville, with patchy, locally dense fog and muggy air keeping early temperatures in the upper 60s. The gray start will not last long, though. Fog should burn off by late morning and give way to mostly sunny skies, with highs jumping into the mid 80s, near 86°F, and gusty southwest winds kicking up through the afternoon.
Foggy Mornings, Sunny Afternoons
Patchy fog is expected through about 9 a.m., especially along low-lying stretches of road and the I-75 corridor, so drivers should ease off the gas and stick with low beams if visibility drops. By midday, southwest winds pick up to around 7 to 15 mph, with gusts near 20 to 25 mph. That breeze will make it feel warmer and will help drive a moderate rip current risk at area beaches, according to NWS Jacksonville.
Showers And A Cooler Turn This Weekend
A front moves in Saturday night into Sunday (Feb. 21–22), bringing rain showers and the best chance for thunderstorms inland and over southeast Georgia. The risk for storms will be highest across SE Georgia. Once the front passes, temperatures drop noticeably, with Sunday’s highs only reaching the upper 60s. Freeze and frost are possible inland Monday night (Feb. 23) and again Tuesday night (Feb. 24); see Jacksonville’s wild weekend weather whiplash for more background.
Beaches, Boaters And Commute Tips
Rip currents are expected to run at a moderate level today, with surf around 1 to 3 feet. If you are heading into the water, stick to lifeguarded beaches and pay attention to posted flags. Out on the water, boaters should be ready for a wind shift to the northwest late Sunday into Monday, along with higher seas and possible small-craft advisory conditions. That is a good cue to secure loose gear and postpone nonessential trips if you can.
Plan Ahead
Anyone spending time outside this afternoon should bring water, use sunscreen and tie down lightweight items that might take flight in the gusts. Gardeners may want to cover or move tender plants Sunday night if lows trend toward freezing. Keep an eye on local updates before heading out, and try to schedule big outdoor plans for calmer mornings or midweek, when conditions should be milder.
