Jacksonville woke up on the shivery side Tuesday, with patchy frost on lawns, a few subfreezing pockets, and a Freeze Warning holding steady through 9 a.m. Early temperatures slid into the low 30s, and wind chills dipped into the 20s, making for a raw start to the morning drive.
Morning Chill, Afternoon Warm-Up, and Fire Risk
Sunshine will do some heavy lifting later, with highs rebounding to near 58 degrees this afternoon and a west wind around 9 mph. The trade-off: very dry air. As pressure gradients relax, relative humidity away from the coast is expected to tumble into the teens and 20s, leading to prolonged periods of critically low humidity and an elevated wildfire risk this afternoon.
The National Weather Service keeps both the Freeze Warning and the fire-weather concerns front and center in its forecast and urges residents to take precautions for tender plants and outdoor pets, according to NWS Jacksonville.
Warming Center Open and Cold-Weather Safety
To help residents who do not have reliable heat, the city has opened an overnight warming center at the Legends Center, with JTA providing transportation to the site. The Legends Center, at 5130 Soutel Drive, accepted guests Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Officials are urging residents to protect potted plants, outdoor pets, and exposed pipes as temperatures briefly dip below freezing, according to the City of Jacksonville.
Short-Lived Cold Before a Warm, Wet Finish
This cold snap is not sticking around. Southwesterly winds return Wednesday and Thursday, pushing highs into the 70s and then into the upper 70s by Thursday. A frontal system late Thursday into Friday brings the best chance for showers and thunderstorms, with the highest odds for widespread rain on Friday and lingering showers into the weekend.
Rain totals through Saturday are generally expected to land around a half inch to an inch, enough to chip away at the region’s ongoing drought if storms line up just right.
Commute and Outdoor Plans
Drivers may find bridges and shaded surfaces a bit slick early where frost formed, so it is worth building in a few extra minutes and taking it easy on the roads. Outdoor workers and early risers should plan to layer up for the chilly start and prepare for breezy, dry conditions this afternoon that can quickly dry out skin, soil, and vegetation.
