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First Alert Meteorologist Sarah Cantey is closely monitoring an unsettled weather pattern that will deliver a wet finish to the weekend across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Residents planning outdoor activities for Sunday afternoon and evening should prepare for steady rain, embedded thunderstorms, and locally heavy downpours.
Current timing and intensity
The latest high-resolution models show a slow-moving upper-level disturbance tapping into Gulf moisture, pushing a band of rain into the area by late Sunday morning. The heaviest activity is expected between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, with rainfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour possible in the strongest storms. Isolated lightning and gusty winds up to 40 mph are also possible, though no severe weather watches are currently in effect. The system will begin to exit early Monday morning, leaving behind lingering showers and a cooler start to the workweek.
Why this matters for your weekend plans
If you’re heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ preseason game or the St. Augustine Seafood Festival, bring the poncho. The wet second half will also affect travel on I-95 and I-10, especially near downtown Jacksonville and the Dames Point Bridge. The rain will be beneficial for area gardens and lawns, which have been running slightly below average rainfall over the past two weeks. According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, last week’s deficit was 0.3 inches for the metro area, so this system will help close that gap.
Expert perspective from Sarah Cantey
Cantey, a certified broadcast meteorologist with more than a decade of experience, noted that the timing of the rain is tricky because it arrives right when many families are wrapping up weekend outings. “The key is not to cancel your morning plans—just have a backup for the afternoon,” she said on Action News Jax Sunday morning. She also highlighted that the rain will be welcome after a stretch of dry, breezy conditions that elevated fire danger earlier in the month.
What to expect into next week
Behind the front, a cooler and less humid air mass settles in for Monday and Tuesday. Highs will drop from near 80°F on Sunday to the low 70s on Monday, with overnight lows falling into the 50s for inland areas. Clear skies return by Tuesday afternoon, setting up a beautiful midweek stretch. However, another system may bring rain chances back by Friday.
Stay informed with Action News Jax
For the latest updates, download the Action News Jax app and follow First Alert Meteorologist Sarah Cantey on social media. Radar loops and hourly breakdowns are available on actionnewsjax.com/weather.
Written April 1, 2025 – based on the most recent forecast data from the National Weather Service and First Alert Weather Team analysis.
