Jacksonville woke up this morning, Friday, May 29, 2026, to partly cloudy skies, muggy air, and temperatures in the mid 70s (around 76°F). The calm will not last long. Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 11 a.m., with inland areas near and west of U.S. 301 facing the greatest risk for heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and gusty winds that could snarl afternoon and evening commutes.
Afternoon And Evening: Heavy Downpours Possible
Scattered storms are expected to build through the early afternoon and become more widespread by mid to late afternoon, especially inland and along the I-95 corridor. Many spots are in line to pick up a quarter to a half inch of rain, but slow-moving storms could dump higher hourly totals and trigger localized flooding. Stronger cells could produce wind gusts near 40 mph, so drivers should allow extra travel time and steer clear of standing water, according to the National Weather Service office in Jacksonville.
At The Beaches: Moderate Rip Current Risk
Conditions at area beaches will look inviting but come with a catch. Surf and longshore currents will make swimming risky today, and lifeguard flags or other warnings may be posted. Even smaller, harmless-looking waves can hide strong rip currents, so swimmers are urged to stay near a lifeguard stand and never go in alone. Check the NOAA rip current outlook before heading to Jacksonville Beach or nearby shorelines.
Weekend Outlook
The unsettled pattern is expected to hang around through the weekend and into early next week, with daily chances for showers and thunderstorms and highs in the mid to upper 80s. Forecasters say widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are likely through Monday, with isolated spots seeing up to 4 inches. That keeps a marginal flood risk in play for urban and low-lying areas. Nights will stay muggy, with lows in the low to mid 70s, so anyone with outdoor plans should keep them flexible and watch for forecast updates.
What Residents Should Know
Plan on slower trips around town and avoid driving through flooded streets; turn around, do not drown. If you need to be on the water, check local marine forecasts and secure loose outdoor gear that could blow around in storms. At the beach, stick close to lifeguards, follow posted flags, and call it a day if conditions look or feel unsafe.
