FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY: Widespread rain, possible thunderstorms

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE, 3 PM: Tornado Watches in St. Johns and Putnam counties have been dropped.

UPDATE, 1:30 PM: Tornado Watches in Clay and Bradford counties have been dropped.

UPDATE, 11:27 AM: The First Alert Weather Team says a Tornado Watch has been issued Saturday for Bradford, Clay, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. The watch is in effect until 6 p.m.

Tornado watch, May 2, 2026 Tornado watch, May 2, 2026

A watch means hazardous weather is possible and to be prepared, while a warning means hazardous weather is occurring or imminent and requires immediate action.

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The Action News Jax First Alert Weather Team has declared Saturday a First Alert Weather Day due to widespread rain and possible thunderstorms in our area.

Low pressure will move across our area today, bringing widespread beneficial rainfall and a chance for thunderstorms.
Everyone will see rain at one point or another today, averaging 0.75-1.5″.
Storm arrival timing:

Inland southeast Georgia/I-75 corridor: 7-9 am
Coastal southeast Georgia/I-10 corridor: 8-10 am
Jacksonville metro: 10 am-noon
St. Augustine to Palatka: noon-2 pm

Conditions will dry out from north to south from mid to late afternoon.
Storm hazards:

Beneficial rain, heavy at times
Lightning, frequent in the strongest storms
Gusty winds, potentially strong at 40-60 mph in storms
Risk for a tornado and/or hail appears low but is not zero
Morning cloud cover and earlier arrival of rain should limit the overall tornado threat

Tonight will be cooler with temperatures in the 50s as the cold front departs our region.
Sunday will be beautiful with plenty of sunshine and less humidity!
The cool down will be brief, as 90s return by Wednesday.