Jacksonville woke up under clear skies and a brisk northeast breeze this morning, with temperatures hovering near 69°F at local reporting stations. Sunshine sticks around through the day, with a high near 82°F, though that onshore wind will keep the beaches a few degrees cooler than inland neighborhoods.
High Rip Current Risk Through Sunday
The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a Rip Current Statement that puts Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia beaches at a High risk through late Sunday night. The alert warns that "rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water." The onshore wind surge is expected to push surf into the 2–4 foot range today and up toward 3–5 feet by late Sunday, keeping beach hazards elevated for the holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Northeast winds should run 7–15 mph this afternoon, with gusts up to 23 mph. That will be enough to kick up the surf and send umbrellas and unsecured patio gear tumbling. Inland highs will come in a bit warmer, but most spots are expected to top out in the low-to-mid 80s today, with Saturday warming into the mid-80s and Thursday peaking in the upper 80s.
What To Know For Beachgoers
Officials urge swimmers to stay in the water only at lifeguarded beaches and to follow posted flags. If you get caught in a rip current, try to float to conserve energy and swim parallel to shore instead of fighting the pull straight in, and wave or call for help if you cannot break free. For more on this onshore pattern and recent coastal conditions, see Hoodline's May 14 coverage on fog, frizz and rip risks.
Looking Ahead
The rest of the weekend stays warm and mainly dry, with only a slight chance of isolated afternoon or early-evening storms returning Sunday as moisture increases. Temperatures trend into the mid-to-upper 80s next week, and daily sea-breeze storms are possible, so keep an eye on updated forecasts if you are planning outdoor events or beach time.
