First Alert Weather Day: Heavy rain, gusty winds, hail possible this afternoon and evening

Jacksonville, Fl — Today is a First Alert Weather Day, which means widespread and potentially damaging thunderstorms are forecast. Action News Jax Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh says the most likely be late afternoon and evening.

A few storms could become strong as they interact with the Atlantic sea breeze near or just west of the I-95 corridor. Storms will enter our listening area between 4 and 6 pm. Gusty winds and small hail are the primary threats this afternoon. In addition, there will be some brief heavy rainfall and lightning.

Many hours will be dry today. Highs will reach the lower to mid 80s this afternoon.

LISTEN: Mike Buresh ‘All the Weather, All the Time’ Podcast

Storms on Wednesday were intense in parts of western Duval, Clay and Nassau County - but they were isolated. The overall pattern turns more widespread between today and Sunday.

“Most spots should see an inch or two, but there may be some areas that see 3, 4, even 5 inches of rain as we go into a very wet and stormy pattern that’ll last through a good part of the weekend.”, Buresh said.

Tonight features scattered showers and storms with heavy rain at times. Friday starts off cloudy and temperatures won’t get out of the 70s. Expect only scattered showers and a few storms.

Saturday looks hot and humid - almost like a summer-time day - before late day storms blossom. Again, we could see periods of heavy rain and strong to severe storms.

“You’re fine through roughly 3, 4 o’clock in the afternoon as it would appear right now, and then some sea breeze storms will pop up and move into the Atlantic. And then a squall line of storms will move from west to east and that’ll be followed by multiple rounds yet of more rain and storms overnight and into the day on Sunday.”, Buresh said.

Showers and thunderstorms will be around Sunday as well, diminishing late in the day.

We turn less humid and sunny early next week with temperatures only in the 70s on Monday.

First Alert Weather Day - Morning Update First Alert Meteorologist Garrett Bedenbaugh is tracking potential strong afternoon storms.