Sunday started off clear and muggy across Jacksonville, with temperatures hovering around 74°F, but the calm will not last long. Mostly cloudy skies are expected later, with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon into the evening, roughly from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Some storms could bring heavy downpours and gusty winds that briefly cut visibility and slow commutes.
Afternoon Into Evening: Strong Storms Possible
Forecast highs land near 90°F, with rain chances ramping up to about 60 to 70 percent after 2 p.m. Showers and thunderstorms become more widespread through the late afternoon and evening. Most neighborhoods will see west winds around 6 to 12 mph with gusts near 17 mph, but forecasters caution that a few stronger cells could briefly kick up gusts to around 50 mph and drop isolated rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches. New rainfall for most areas should stay closer to a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with heavier pockets under the strongest cores, according to NWS Jacksonville.
Commute, Beaches And Outdoor Plans
Storms are most likely to pop along the I-95 and U.S.-17 corridors near the Atlantic coast, so downtown drives and beach runs may come with lightning, gusty winds and brief ponding on roads. Boaters should keep a close eye on radar and consider delaying trips during the afternoon peak. Rip-current risk is expected to be low early this week, but stronger storms can quickly change nearshore conditions. Secure loose patio furniture, move outdoor events inside if you can, and never drive through standing water, no matter how shallow it looks.
Monday And Tuesday: Heat On The Rise
Once today's storms move out, the heat steps in. Monday is expected to reach the low 90s, and Tuesday could push into the mid 90s, with heat-index values locally near 100 to 105°F. The forecast discussion notes that Heat Advisory conditions are possible inland early next week, so it is smart to limit strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon. Overnight lows will stay sticky, mostly in the mid to upper 70s across the area.
Need To Know
We flagged this developing pattern earlier in the week; today's update tightens the timing for late-day storms and puts a finer point on next week's heat risk. For background on the overall setup, see our earlier forecast. Keep an eye on local radar and expect conditions to evolve through the afternoon.
Bottom line: grab a rain jacket if you are out this afternoon, plan to pause boating or beach trips during the peak storm window, and build in cooler, shaded breaks for strenuous outdoor work on Monday and Tuesday. We will update if watches or warnings are issued for Jacksonville.
