Warm weather is coming back and it will stay for a couple of weeks with highs likely to reach the low 70s early next week with some 80s likely inland by week’s end.
Does this mark the end of our cold? Well, first we must get through the weekend when a second round of arctic air hits with morning freezes.
The greater Jacksonville area begins a thaw next week and long range models indicate a couple of weeks of above normal temperatures warming us through the end of the month into early February.
The odds will favor less cold now that we have passed the chilliest time of the year in Jacksonville.
On average in Jacksonville the coldest dates are January 12 through 15, with an average temperature of 53.8. The average high reaches 65 and nightly lows drop to 43. For the whole month of January, the average is 54.8. In 2023 we were nearly 4 degrees warmer than that yet this year January is slightly colder than average so far.
Beyond this weekend comes a warm-up with highs back into the 70s by Tuesday and no more freezes for the rest of January.
It is not possible to guarantee any more cold breaks in February or early March, the outlook certainly favors less arctic air after this weekend.