Jacksonville wakes up under cloudy skies and sticky air on Thursday, April 30, with early temperatures in the low 70s and west winds already starting to pick up. By this afternoon, the mercury should top out near 87°F, with shower chances increasing and a few isolated thunderstorms in the mix. Any stronger cells could briefly slow the evening commute, so keep an eye on radar and be ready to move outdoor plans inside when thunder starts to rumble.
Afternoon Storms And Gusty Winds
A slight chance of rain showers before 2 p.m. turns into a better shot at showers and thunderstorms by mid to late afternoon, with a high near 87°F and west winds around 7 to 12 mph. Gusts could reach up to 22 mph in general, and isolated stronger storms may kick up winds of 40 to 50 mph along with small hail in spots. New rainfall amounts of about a tenth to a quarter inch are possible this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville.
Beach Conditions And Rip Currents
Surf will stay choppy, and a moderate rip-current risk continues along the Atlantic shoreline. That means sticking close to lifeguard towers, swimming only in guarded areas, and paying close attention to posted flags. Lifeguards and local officials can shut down sections of beach on short notice if conditions go sideways. Local precautions and tower contacts are summarized in our earlier briefing. Read high-risk beach gamble tips for details.
Weekend Rain And Severe Threat
A stronger cold front is expected to push through on Saturday, bringing numerous showers, embedded thunderstorms, and a stretch of widespread, beneficial rain. Forecasters are calling for at least a quarter to a half inch across most of the region from Saturday through Sunday morning, with southeast Georgia favored for 0.5 to 1.5 inches and locally higher totals of 2 to 4 inches possible farther inland. A few strong to severe storms could deliver damaging wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph and a low tornado risk, and those on the water should remain alert for possible small craft advisory conditions, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville.
How To Plan
Build in a little extra time for commutes this afternoon and keep rain gear handy through the weekend. If you are heading to the beach, stick to guarded areas, keep an eye on lifeguards and flag colors, and sign up for local alert systems such as JaxReady so you are not caught off guard by sudden closures or severe-weather updates.
