JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — OVERNIGHT: Showers linger
THURSDAY & FRIDAY: The front is now returning but sticks with us and keeps the First Coast in the soggy, tropical airmass. Highs will gradually warm through the upper 80s. Expect rounds of heavy rain to flow in from the southwest. Thursday is looking stormier than Friday through as the front begins to lift back north.
THIS WEEKEND: The front lifts away and widespread rain chances decrease. Highs boost back to near 90 degrees. While we won't be rain-free, the skies look to gradually dry out by the weekend with the drier day being Sunday.
TROPICS: There is no development expected near the First Coast within the next 7 days, but there are THREE areas with a low chance of development off the west coast of Africa. This will be a hot spot as we head through August and into September. It's always a good idea to check in often during this time of year. The Atlantic hurricane season peaks, according to climatology, on September 10.
Looking deeper into the season, the Climate Prediction Center has issued a La Niña Watch with La Niña potentially emerging from September through November. La Niña can help make atmospheric conditions more conducive for tropical cyclones to form the Atlantic, and less conducive in the Eastern Pacific. If 2021 is any indicator so far of what lies ahead this season, it could continue to be an active year. As of the beginning of July, there have been five named storms breaking the previous record set just last year. In August, the Climate Prediction Center will issue an updated hurricane outlook.
RIP CURRENTS: It's always a good idea to talk to the lifeguards and only go out where they can see you. The risk of rip currents always exists, especially around jetties and piers. Have fun, yet play it safe.