Jacksonville faces severe drought and fire danger as heat wave continues, News4JAX meteorologist warns

Drought hits “exceptional” in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – I want you to know right up front—our drought monitor is showing some of the most extreme conditions we’ve seen lately. We’re in the “exceptional” category in some areas around Jacksonville and The Weather Authority’s Exact Track 4D radar just isn’t picking up any incoming rain.

Exceptional is the highest drought level we can experience. It’s downright dangerous, and it means we need to take that fire risk very seriously. You might already be hearing reminders to conserve water; I recommend watering lawns only once a week for now. I’m cheering you on—most people are already pitching in to help, which is great!

If you’re like me and love a fire pit, I can’t stress this enough: let’s skip it for now. What starts as a cozy backyard night could turn into a neighborhood emergency. The risk is real, and we don’t want any insurance nightmares or worse.

Hot, dry weather sticks around

It’s another beautiful—and, yes, hot—day across our area. Right now, we’re expected to reach highs near 89 degrees, especially around Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Brunswick, Waycross, and Macclenny. Even the coast is quickly warming up, with spots like Orange Park well into the 80s.

I know a lot of folks are excited for the Jumbo Shrimp opening game tonight—I am, too! Here’s the forecast: by game start at 7 p.m., mostly clear skies and 81 degrees, dropping to 75 by 9 p.m. and 71 around 11 p.m. It’s looking great for baseball, just don’t forget extra hydration if you’re attending.

Checking the Exact Track 4D radar, we’re not expecting any rain today. Over the weekend, there’s a slight chance—about 10 percent—of a stray shower drifting in off the Atlantic, but most of us will stay dry. There was a bit of fog this morning in very select areas, so if you saw reduced visibility on your commute, that’s probably what happened.

Stay safe and beat the heat

This kind of heat calls for some TLC! Keep water handy all day. Sunscreen is a must, even if it looks partly cloudy. If you’re able, maybe treat yourself to a beach half-day—but make it with plenty of water breaks.

Fire safety is at the top of my mind. As much as I love backyard fires, it’s just not safe while drought levels are this high. One spark can quickly become a much bigger problem.

And a quick note for all the families: expect the kids home to sunny skies and temperatures around 83 degrees this afternoon.

If you spot anything unusual—clouds, sun dogs, even your own weather fun—share it with SnapJAX at news4jax.com/snapjax/. I always love seeing your photos and videos!