Tuesday, March 31, 2026 — Jacksonville is waking up warm and muggy, starting the day mostly clear around 64°F with a light southeast breeze. Inland neighborhoods are headed for highs in the upper 70s, while spots closer to the water stay a few degrees cooler. If you are planning to hit the sand, take note: the National Weather Service has a Rip Current Statement in effect through this evening, with a high risk at Northeast Florida beaches.
Afternoon Winds and Beach Conditions
Southeast winds will pick up this afternoon to roughly 5 to 17 mph with gusts up to 22 mph, keeping coastal highs in the mid to upper 70s. Breakers are expected to run about 3 to 5 feet along Northeast Florida beaches and 2 to 3 feet at nearby Georgia beaches. That surf, combined with an easterly swell, is creating dangerous rip currents, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.
Today is not the day to treat the ocean like a hotel pool. Swim only near lifeguards, avoid wading past the breakers, and if a current pulls you offshore, stay calm, float, and then swim parallel to the shoreline to get out of the rip.
Foggy Mornings, Sunny Afternoons
Before sunrise on Wednesday, expect patchy to locally dense fog at inland locations, especially near river valleys and along the I-75 corridor, which could slow the early commute. By late morning, skies should turn partly to mostly sunny, with highs around 80°F inland and in the mid 70s along the coast. Late-day sea-breeze collisions could trigger isolated showers or a brief storm inland over the next few days.
Looking Ahead
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible Thursday and again late this weekend into early next week as onshore flow continues and a front approaches. Small craft operators should keep an eye on marine forecasts as seas build and advisories may be posted later in the week.
If your plans involve the beach today, stick to lifeguarded areas, check the latest forecast before you go, and respect posted flags and lifeguard instructions. The weather is inviting, but the rip currents will not cut you any slack.
