Jacksonville is under a level one marginal risk for severe weather today, with storms expected to move across the area from the coast to the I-95 and US 17 corridors. The first round could reach some neighborhoods as early as 1 p.m., while other areas may not see storms until as late as 10 p.m.
The main concerns are wind gusts, the chance for small hail and a brief tornado that cannot be completely ruled out. Highs are expected to reach about 88 degrees before the storms move through, then fall by about 10 degrees afterward. Temperatures on Tuesday are forecast to be near 78 degrees, giving the region a noticeable cooldown before the warmth returns later in the week.
Rain chances are 40 percent for today and tomorrow, and the pattern should change quickly after Wednesday. A dry stretch is expected as the week heads into the weekend, while highs on Thursday are projected to climb back into the upper 80s with lows hovering in the 60s and 70s.
The forecast calls for a mix of heat and instability that could help strengthen some storms as they move east to west this afternoon. For anyone heading out, that matters beyond the forecast discussion: sidewalks can get hot enough to burn a dog's paws at 3 p.m., which makes the timing of the storms and the heat more than just a line in the weather report.
For Jacksonville, the answer is straightforward. Today brings the best chance of stronger storms, then a cooler Tuesday, and after Wednesday the rain threat fades fast into a dry stretch that should carry the area into the weekend.
