JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Last winter may have been dominated by the Polar Vortex, but this November has been all about the battle of seasons.
In just the past 10 days and not yet officially winter (meteorological winter begins Dec. 1) we have already had two record cold lows -- one being the second coldest November morning in Jacksonville's history. Add to that plant-killing frosts on two other mornings.
But wait! If you love it warm, over the past 10 days we have had two afternoon highs in the 80s, including the hottest afternoon on record so late into the year.
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No wonder we have had three Weather Authority Alert Days.
The first big weather day of the period was Nov. 17, when a squall line brought near hurricane force winds that blew two tractor-trailers crossing the Dames Point Bridge onto their sides, broke out a window on the Wells Fargo tower and left a trail of damage across much of Duval County.
There was also an EF0 tornado in Baker County. (NWS write up on that tornado)
The next Weather Authority Alert Day was last Sunday, and although very little happened Sunday morning, Sunday evening storms dumped 1 inch of rain, while, 2-4 inches of rain fell around Waycross, Georgia.
Tuesday's Weather Authority Alert Day was for rain, but after a slow start the rains came and they came big. The National Weather Service recorded a new daily record for rainfall for Jacksonville: 1.67 inches, almost all of it between 2 p.m. and midnight. Heavier amounts can be seen in the map shown, where orange represents 3 inches or more.
Recent weather records, and I am sure I will remember a few missing ones later, include:
- Second coldest November morning ever: 24° on Nov. 20.
- Warmest temperature ever recorded so late in the year: 86° on Nov. 24.
- Record warmest low temperature for Nov. 24: 70°
- Record daily rainfall for Nov. 25: 1.67"
- Temperature plunge in three days: 57°
- Temperature surge in four days: 62°
- Near-hurricane force wind gusts on Nov. 17: officially 45 mph at JIA
- E-F0 tornado in Baker County: Nov. 17