Below normal rainfall as well as multiple hard freezes inland continued during the month of February, persisting extreme drought (D3) conditions for the same areas as January, and also upgrading some severe drought zones (D2) to extreme drought (D3). Severe to extreme drought conditions combined with dried available fuels resulted in numerous wildfires developing across northeast Florida.
Every event with a place to put it; 16 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS JAX wrote it up.
Below normal rainfall as well as multiple hard freezes inland continued during the month of February, persisting extreme drought (D3) conditions for the same areas as January, and also upgrading some severe drought zones (D2) to extreme drought (D3). Severe to extreme drought conditions combined with dried available fuels resulted in numerous wildfires developing across northeast Florida.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Jacksonville, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 1, 1:44 AM UTC, 2 hours 16 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
844 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
For the latest NE FL and SE GA Daily Key Messages please visit:
https:/www.weather.gov/media/jax/briefings/nws-jax-briefing.pdf
- Cold Weather Outbreak Tonight through Tuesday Morning. Extreme Cold
Warning Tonight Into Late Sunday Morning Wind Chills 5-10F. Hard
Freeze Tonight & Sunday Night. Inland Freeze Monday Night with Frost
- Rain & Snow Mix Today Portions of Southeast Georgia. Winter Weather
Advisory for Minor Transportation Impacts. Rain & Snow Wintry Mix -
Less than 0.5 snow accumulation
- Gale Warning Late Today through Sunday Frequent Gusts to 45 knots.
Lower than normal low tides tonight with strong offshore winds
- Gusty Winds Today & Tonight Coast & North-Central Florida. Peak
gusts 40-50 mph - Secure vulnerable objects
&&
.UPDATE...
A winter Weather advisory remains in effect until 1AM for
Appling, Wayne, Bacon, Brantley, Jeff Davis, Glynn, and Camden
counties where some steady light snow/snow showers is falling
mainly along and north of US-341 from near Hazelhurst to Jesup.
This light snow may drift southeast into Brunswick and perhaps
into Woodbine over the next hour and wrap up by around midnight
or so. So far, there have been no reports of snow coating the
ground, but the advisory is in place as subfreezing temperatures
in the upper 20s and falling will allow any snow to stick to
roads and sidewalks and may create some slick spots. Any snow
amounts will be under a 0.5 inch in these areas.
Further south, we had a round of snow flurries along and north of I-
10 into metro Jacksonville late this afternoon which has ended over
the past hour with dry conditions expected through the reminder of
the evening as a coastal low slowly pulls away to the northeast.
With lack of rain, black ice is not anticipated for most of the area
except within the Winter Weather Advisory where a quick snow shower
and cold surface could produce a thin coating of snow that will
remain overnight.
Clear skies and windy conditions will slowly lessen through sunrise
from 15-25 mph gusting to 35-45 mph to 10-15 mph gusting 25-35 mph,
so keeping the wind advisory in place for coastal SE GA and much of
NE FL east of the Suwannee Valley tonight. The combination of the
wind and lows into the upper teens to low 20s will result in a very
cold night for our area with dangerous winds chills of 5-10 mph
which could lead to frostbite to exposed skin in 30 minutes. An
Extreme Cold Warning is in place until 10AM Sunday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
A dynamic and rare winter weather setup continues for the region
over the next 24 hours as strong low pressure deepens offshore of
the Carolinas. The arctic cold front moved through the area this
morning and will see the temperatures falling through the afternoon
hours. As the low strengthens offshore, the pressure gradient will
tighten and wrap-around moisture will develop over the area. The
moisture will support rain and snow mixture this afternoon into late
evening as the low level temps will be unusually cold for the area,
with the climate percentile for 925-850 mb temps at the 5th
percentile or less. The mid/upper level trough will swing through
into the evening hours with impressive height falls, and the 500 mb
temperature over north half of zones briefly drops to about -31C.
The primary hazard tonight will be the extreme cold tonight and
Sunday, with a hard freeze tonight with lows in the upper teens to
lower 20s. Very cold wind chills expected and forecast to fall into
the single digits of about 5-10 deg range. Record lows are likely
tonight/Sunday morning...compared to the cold winter of 1977. See
climate section below.
The transition of snow area will be over the northeast zones, with
some very light snow accumulations possible up to 0.2 or possibly
0.5 inches. As such, will let the winter weather advisory ride, with
the highest confidence of the light accumulations closer the
Altamaha River Basin. Snow flurries could also drop down to near
coastal northeast FL around the JAX metro area this evening, but no
accumulation anticipated. The window of greater chances are from
about 5 PM to 10 PM, but probably a bit longer for southeast GA
until midnight.
The combined impact of already seasonably low astronomical tides
and stronger WNW offshore winds tonight could create low mean
lower low water levels at coastal locations. For winds,
gustier winds expected to develop with most recent gusts around
30-32 mph. Expect the peak winds to develop over the course of
the next few hours, reaching upwards of 35-45 mph, and can't
rule out 50 mph where the best boundary layer mixing develops.
This higher max wind gust would mainly be toward the coastal
areas north of St Augustine. Wind Advisory remains in effect
through tonight.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/...
Dry weather conditions will be in place through the period with low
wind chill values expected on Sunday morning with values potentially
in the single digits and then warming slightly in the afternoon as
low pressure moves off to the northeast and high pressure conditions
settle in over the region. Daily high temperatures will be in the
lower to mid 40s on Sunday and warm to be in the lower to mid 50s.
Overnight low temperatures will be in the lower to mid 20s for the
end of the weekend and will rise slightly to be in the upper 30s and
lower 30s on Monday. Freezing and frost conditions will develop
during the overnight and early morning hours.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
High pressure will move off to the east Tuesday and into Wednesday
morning. The positioning of the high, will result in a more
southwesterly flow on Tuesday allowing temperatures to reach up into
the lower 60s, with overnight low temps in the 30s but with only a
few patchy inland areas expected to drop below freezing. A cold
front will move southeast across the forecast area on Wednesday and
Thursday, resulting in an increased chance for showers before the
end of the week. Temperatures will be near to slightly above normal
for midweek and then trend be below average on Thursday. High
pressure will build in from out of the southwest by Friday bringing
in below average temps for the end of the period.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
Gusty northwest winds will continue through the first 6 hours of the
TAF period as a low to the northeast strengthen off the Carolina
coastline. Snow flurries will taper off over the next 1-2 hours over
the duval county and SGJ sites with VFR ceilings remaining above 3.0
kft near 3.5-4.0 kft while VFR to at times MVFR ceilings will impact
SSI as wrap around moisture around the coastal low will bring a
round of light snow showers to the Georgia coast with MVFR vis from
light snow at times occasional broken to overcast ceilings 2.5 kft.
Northwest winds 20-25 knots and gusting to around 35 knots will
persist until 03-06Z this evening, then begin to slowly decrease
through 12Z 15-20 knots and gusting to 25-30 knots with cloud bases
lifting to broken 5.0-6.0 kft and thinning mid level clouds aloft.
Skies will clear first at GNV behind the last wave of low level
clouds by 04Z and filter into the remaining sites by 12Z with a very
cold and dry airmass over the region.
Winds improve to 10-15 knots gusting to 20 knots after 15Z Sunday
with strong high pressure shifting into the region from the Gulf
coast under sunny skies.
&&
.MARINE...
Low pressure will strengthen offshore of the Carolina Atlantic coast
today. Strengthening offshore flow increases this afternoon with Gale
conditions expected across all local waters through tonight. A chance
of showers and even a few snow showers moves across portions of
southeast Georgia then southward across local waters overnight.
Occasional gusts near 50 knots are possible tonight. As strong
offshore flow develops today into tonight, a period of low water
levels is likely tonight around low tide. Winds and seas begin to
subside late Sunday afternoon into Monday to Small Craft Advisory
conditions as high pressure builds across the Gulf Coast states. The
high builds over the Florida peninsula Tuesday with seas falling
below Advisory levels. The next cold front approaches from the west
Wednesday.
Rip Currents: Low to moderate risk rest of today as strong offshore
flow continues and combined seas increase. Offshore flow
continues Sunday and so surf will be relatively minimized with
wind wave direction going offshore. Higher risk possible Monday into
Tuesday as some northeast swells affect the area.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...
- Inland MinRH values less than 30 percent Sunday and Monday
- Widespread high dispersions Sunday and Monday
- Areas of high dispersions Wednesday
A strengthening area of low pressure will move to the northeast of
the area over the weekend. Elevated winds are expected over the
weekend, with dangerously cold wind chills Sunday morning. High
pressure will build over Monday and Tuesday. A cold front will move
through on Wednesday and into Thursday bringing increased chances
for showers. High pressure will build to the southwest on Friday.
FOG POTENTIAL AND OTHER REMARKS: Light snow is possible this evening
over parts of inland southeast GA, with very light accumulations
under a half inch possible. Snow flurries will be possible near the
coasts as well Tonight.
&&
.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
The combined impact of already seasonably low astronomical tides
and stronger WNW offshore winds tonight could create low mean
lower low water levels at coastal locations.
&&
.CLIMATE...
Daily records challenged by the arctic cold air outbreak are below:
Record Low Maximum Temperatures:
Sunday, February 1:
JAX 42/1900
CRG 44/1980
GNV 41/1909
AMG 42/1980
Record Low Temperatures:
Sunday, February 1:
JAX 24/1977
CRG 29/1977
GNV 25/1977
AMG 22/1977
Monday, February 2:
JAX 23/1979
CRG 27/1980
GNV 25/1980
AMG 19/1951
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AMG 19 41 21 51 / 20 0 0 0
SSI 24 43 28 51 / 20 0 0 0
JAX 20 44 24 54 / 10 0 0 0
SGJ 23 45 28 54 / 0 0 0 0
GNV 20 45 22 55 / 0 0 0 0
OCF 20 45 21 55 / 0 0 0 0
&&
.JAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...Freeze Warning until 11 AM EST Sunday for FLZ021-023-024-030-
031-035-038-120-124-125-132-136>138-140-220-225-232-233-
236-237-240-322-325-333-340-422-425-433-522-533-633.
Extreme Cold Warning until 10 AM EST Sunday for FLZ021-023-024-
030-031-035-038-120-124-125-132-136>138-140-220-225-232-
233-236-237-240-322-325-333-340-422-425-433-522-533-633.
Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST Sunday for FLZ023-024-030-031-038-
124-125-132-136>138-140-225-232-233-236-237-240-325-333-
340-425-433-533-633.
GA...Freeze Warning until 11 AM EST Sunday for GAZ132>136-149-
151>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364.
Extreme Cold Warning until 10 AM EST Sunday for GAZ132>136-149-
151>154-162-163-165-166-250-264-350-364.
Wind Advisory until 7 AM EST Sunday for GAZ153-154-165-166.
Winter Weather Advisory until 1 AM EST Sunday for GAZ133>136-
151>154-165-166.
MARINE...Gale Warning until 1 PM EST Sunday for AMZ450-452-454-470-472-
474.
Small Craft Advisory from 1 PM Sunday to 10 AM EST Monday for
AMZ450-452-454.
Small Craft Advisory from 1 PM Sunday to 3 PM EST Monday for
AMZ470-472-474.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
805 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0702 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Jacksonville Inter 30.50N 81.68W
01/31/2026 M43 MPH Duval FL ASOS
ASOS station KJAX Jacksonville Intl Airport.
&&
DRDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
806 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0753 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NE Orange Park 30.22N 81.67W
01/31/2026 M46 MPH Duval FL AWOS
AWOS station KNIP Jacksonville NAS.
&&
DRDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
807 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0746 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WSW Alma 31.53N 82.50W
01/31/2026 M40 MPH Bacon GA ASOS
ASOS station KAMG Alma.
&&
DRDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
909 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0853 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SE Bryceville 30.35N 81.88W
01/31/2026 M44 MPH Duval FL AWOS
AWOS station KNEN 4 ESE Bryceville.
&&
DRDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
1001 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0936 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SSW Fort Caroline 30.33N 81.52W
01/31/2026 M48 MPH Duval FL ASOS
ASOS station KCRG Jacksonvil Craig.
&&
DRDPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jacksonville FL
1004 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0938 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NE Jacksonville Inter 30.50N 81.68W
01/31/2026 M47 MPH Duval FL ASOS
ASOS station KJAX Jacksonville Intl Airport.
&&
DRDThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
16 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions. The large Pace Ct wildfire SW of Interlachen persisted through the month of February.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions. A wildfire in Gainesville caused all lanes of CR-232 (NE 53rd St) to close between N Main St and NE 15th St.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions. On February 7th, a wildfire developed near Ocklawaha and caused residences to be evacuated from their homes.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions. On February 4th, a Wildfire of 100 plus acres with zero containment developed near Glen St. Mary.
Lack of rainfall during February combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in continuing Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
Lack of rainfall combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in worsening drought conditions into Extreme (D3) with the February 3rd drought monitor update, continuing through the rest of the Month of February.
Lack of rainfall combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in worsening drought conditions into Extreme (D3) with the February 3rd drought monitor update, continuing through the rest of the Month of February.
Lack of rainfall combined with multiple hard freeze events resulted in worsening drought conditions into Extreme (D3) with the February 3rd drought monitor update, continuing through the rest of the Month of February.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Florida in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, February 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1311197, 1309992, 1309993, 1309994, 1309995, 1309996, 1309997, 1309998, 1309999, 1310000, 1310001, 1310002, 1311196, 1309989, 1309990, 1309991.