Jacksonville is waking up warm and muggy on Tuesday, March 10, with mostly clear skies, temperatures hovering near 68°F at sunrise, and a hot one on deck. Inland spots will push toward the upper 80s, with mid 80s expected along the beaches. Pockets of fog could form before dawn across low lying areas and along the I 75 corridor, trimming visibility for early commuters. Skies should turn sunnier into the afternoon, while a frontal system late in the week sets the stage for showers and thunderstorms on Thursday.
Afternoon Heat, Morning Fog
Plan on a sunny, hot day with a high near 88°F and a light southwest breeze of about 2 to 7 mph, followed by another near record setup on Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, dense fog remains a possibility in the predawn hours this morning and again Wednesday, especially inland near the I 75 corridor, so drivers heading out before sunrise should factor in a little extra time. Coastal neighborhoods will stay a few degrees cooler under the influence of the sea breeze, but the humidity will keep things feeling sticky from morning through late day.
Thunderstorm Threat Thursday
On Thursday, March 12, a frontal trough is expected to move through, bringing rain showers from mid morning into the afternoon and a line of showers and thunderstorms by late afternoon and evening. Forecasts indicate that this line could feature brief strong wind gusts and small hail, with locally heavy rainfall on the order of 1 to 3 inches where storms repeatedly track over the same locations. For most communities, the steady rain should begin to taper late Thursday night, although scattered showers may hang on into Friday.
Beaches, Boats and the Commute
At the beaches, a moderate rip current risk is in place through Wednesday, and strengthening southerly winds could bump that risk higher by Wednesday evening. Swimmers are urged to stay near lifeguarded areas and pay close attention to posted flags. Out on the water, marine conditions are expected to go downhill Thursday afternoon into Friday morning, with Small Craft Advisory conditions likely on local waters, so boaters should check the latest marine forecast before leaving the dock. If you have outdoor plans this weekend, keep in mind that a cooler, drier air mass is expected to begin filtering in early next week after the front moves through.
For more on how this pattern set up, revisit our look at the warm, foggy start to the week. This update focuses on the timing of Thursday's frontal arrival and the related marine and thunderstorm impacts.
