Early Friday, April 3, is starting off mostly clear and muggy across Jacksonville, sitting near 67°F at 4:53 a.m. EDT with very high humidity along the coast. Forecasters are calling for mostly sunny skies and a high near 82°F today, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 9 a.m., especially inland where the sea breeze and afternoon heating collide. Southeast winds at 5 to 13 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, will keep beach communities a few degrees cooler than inland neighborhoods.
High Rip Current Risk
The National Weather Service has issued a Rip Current Statement for Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia from 6 a.m. Friday through early Saturday, warning of dangerous rip currents at area beaches. The alert urges swimmers to stay cautious: "Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float." Lifeguarded beaches are the safest bet while the high risk continues.
Afternoon Storms Possible
The chance of showers and thunderstorms ramps up after midmorning, with the best odds this afternoon for inland areas west of I-95. Any stronger storms could bring brief heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and localized visibility reductions, though most locations are only expected to see scattered rain. If you have outdoor plans between about 1 and 6 p.m., keep them flexible and be ready to head inside quickly if lightning moves in.
Foggy Mornings, Warmer Weekend
Patchy inland fog is likely each morning through the weekend, while temperatures trend warmer overall. Inland highs could climb into the mid-to-upper 80s by Sunday, with a high near 87°F. A slow-moving front may spark another round of scattered showers and storms from Sunday afternoon into Monday, and onshore breezes will keep the surf on the rough side. For a deeper dive into the setup, check the full briefing from NWS Jacksonville.
