MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Summer Heat Returning

The warming trend continues... Starting out in the 60s this morning, along with some areas of fog. Warming to the middle 80s this afternoon under a mix of sun and clouds. The warming trend continues into the weekend; upper 80s Friday, then into the low 90s Saturday and Sunday. And yes, humidity levels will remain high making it feel like typical Summer weather in Mississippi. In terms of rain, we'll mention the chance for a few isolated showers or storms each day beginning Friday into next week. Once again, the normal Summer routine; it will not rain everywhere or constantly, but be prepared for the possibility of a passing storm if you have outdoor plans.

In the tropics, Jose is still a Category 1 hurricane in the Atlantic; it has turned west, but will likely curve northeast by this weekend, posing no threat to the U.S. Elsewhere, we are tracking a couple waves in the Eastern Atlantic, but no immediate threat to the U.S.

Michael Haynes

Wet, Chilly September Day!

Remnants of Irma are bringing showers and unseasonably cool temperatures to Mississippi... The center of Irma's remnant low is passing through NW Alabama and NE Mississippi this afternoon, spreading showers across much of the state. We're not expecting heavy rain or a flash flooding threat, but periods of rain will continue into this evening.

Our big story is the cool weather! Due to the clouds, showers, and cool air wrapping in around Irma, we hold in the upper 50s and low 60s all afternoon in Central Mississippi, and upper 60s to low 70s in South Mississippi! For some perspective, the average low in Jackson on September 12th is 66 degrees.  We'll likely set a new record for the lowest high temperatures on this date; the previous record is 72 set in 1902. But don't get used to it because heat and humidity return for the weekend.

Be sure to join us this evening and tonight on WLBT for the latest updates! You can also find me on social media: Facebook and Twitter

Michael Haynes

 

Irma Weakening, Moving Northwest

As of 1pm today Irma is still a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph, located in North Florida. The center of Irma will cross into South Georgia this afternoon, then Alabama tonight into Tuesday morning. Fortunately, it will weaken to a depression tonight. The remnants of Irma will track into NW Mississippi Tuesday afternoon and evening, bringing showers across the state along with some gusty wind. In Central and South Mississippi, wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph are possible later today into Tuesday. Showers will also increase tonight and will continue at times through Wednesday morning; on average, totals will remain light south of I-20. For north Mississippi, we're expecting 1 to 2 inches. Also, due to cool air wrapping around Irma, temperatures will struggle to reach the upper 60s all day tomorrow; if that verifies, it would be the coolest high on record in Jackson for September 12th!

Much warmer by the weekend as highs return to the upper 80s to near 90 along with the possibility for a few isolated showers or storms.  

Be sure to join us this evening and tonight on WLBT for the latest updates! You can also find me on social media: Facebook and Twitter

Michael Haynes

Irma Moving Into Florida

Hurricane Irma is approaching the Florida Keys this morning as a major category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph. It will track along the west coast of Florida this afternoon into Monday.

Irma will slowly weaken, but will likely make landfall somewhere between Fort Myers and Tampa as a Category 3 or 4. For Mississippi, clouds will increase along with the possibility for some showers by Tuesday and Wednesday in association with the remnants of Irma, but no significant problems around here.

Otherwise, very pleasant; highs reach the low to middle 80s this afternoon under a good supply of sunshine. Due to the clouds and cooler air wrapping around Irma, temperatures dip into the 70s Tuesday and Wednesday, then warmer for the second half of this week

Michael Haynes

Irma To Make US Landfall Sunday; Minor Local Impacts Possible

TONIGHT: Expect another quiet night around the region – overnight lows will fall into the upper 50s to near 60 by daybreak amid a few passing clouds in an otherwise clear sky.  
 
SUNDAY: Expect the quiet weather trend to continue – mostly sunny skies with highs in the lower and middle 80s to round out the weekend. Another day of no-complaints weather, especially for early to mid-September.   
 
MONDAY: Monday will generally start off clear and quiet - clouds will begin to spill in from the east through the latter half of the day. Highs will top out in the lower 80s amid an, at times, breezy east / northeast wind. By Monday night, the clouds may begin to have rain associated with them. Lows will fall to the upper 50s.  

 

IRMA IMPACTS:  Rain showers will spill in Monday night and through Tuesday for about half of the area, mainly along and north of I-20. Locally, our impacts from a much weaker Irma passing to our northeast will be a general inconvenience than anything else with rounds of showers rotating in and an increase in clouds and gusty breezes at times. Most of this will begin exits through Tuesday night, though clouds and some lingering showers will hang around for Wednesday, 
 
LATE WEEK: Our weather will turn back to more a quintessential September feel through the latter half of the week and into next weekend. Expect sunshine to return with highs returning to the upper 80s and lower 90s. 

 

TROPICS: Category 3 Hurricane Irma has begun its northern turn after tangling with northern Cuba for much of Saturday. The official National Hurricane Center path shows the storm moving north through Florida Straits into the Keys and southwest Florida through Sunday.
 


As this storm is large, impacts will likely be felt far away from where the center tracks through the weekend and early next week. Category 4 Hurricane Jose continues to move northwest and away from the storm ravaged areas of the Leeward Islands. Hurricane Katia made landfall in Mexico last night and quickly dissipated.  

 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Irma Approaching South Florida; Quiet Weather Continues

TONIGHT: Another great night on the way for high school football around the region. Temperatures dropping to the 60s by games end –lows dropping into the middle and upper 50s under clear skies.  



SATURDAY: High pressure holding firm over the area through the start of the weekend. Expect sunny to mainly sunny skies with temperatures rebounding into the lower and middle 80s by the afternoon hours. Low humidity values will continue make it feel like late September and early October.  
 
SUNDAY: Expect the quiet weather trend to continue – mostly sunny skies with highs in the lower and middle 80s to round out the weekend. Another day of no-complaints weather, especially for early to mid-September.  

 

NEXT WEEK: Our weather may begin to see some changes through mid-week – a few clouds may spill in Monday, more so into Tuesday and Wednesday in association of blow off from Irma to our north and east – we'll make mention of showers also, mainly north of I-20. Winds will pick up a bit, but likely will be less than 35 mph in occasional gusts. As Irma's remnants move out through Thursday, expect a return to normal September weather, with highs returning to the upper 80s and humidity levels creeping back upward. 

 

TROPICS: Category 4 Hurricane Irma continues to churn past and near the Greater Antilles. The official National Hurricane Center path shows the storm moving toward the Florida Straits by the end of the weekend before turning northward, straight through the Florida peninsula. As this storm is large, impacts will likely be felt far away from where the center tracks through the weekend and early next week. Category 4 Hurricane Jose continues to move northwest; in the near term, will approach heavily damaged areas of the Leeward Islands on its trek toward the open ocean. Hurricane Katia will continue to meander in the southwest Gulf before moving ashore near Veracruz, Mexico by the weekend.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Irma Still a Cat 5; Pleasant In Mississippi

Lots to to talk about in the tropics; we are now dealing with 3 systems. First, and most significant is Hurricane Irma; still a dangerous Category 5 approaching Puerto Rico packing 185 mph sustained winds. The forecast track is shifting east, which means it is very unlikely Irma will reach the Gulf of Mexico. The greatest threat will be from Miami north into the Carolinas late this weekend into early next week. Tropical Storm Katia has formed in the SW Gulf of Mexico, but is no threat to the U.S. Tropical Storm Jose is behind Irma in the Atlantic; at this point, no reason for concern, but something to watch.

For Mississippi, beautiful weather ahead! A shot of cooler, refreshing air is arriving today, knocking highs down into the lower to middle 80s with lows in the 50s through this weekend. Otherwise, dry with lots of sunshine!

Be sure to join us this evening and tonight on WLBT for the latest updates! You can also find me on social media: Facebook and Twitter

Michael Haynes

Tuesday Afternoon Update

Irma continues to strengthen; as of Tuesday afternoon it is now a very powerful Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 185 mph, gusting 200 mph +. This makes it one of the strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic Basin. Irma is tracking into the Caribbean and will likely cause devastating impacts over the Greater Antilles through the remainder of this week and into the weekend. Longer term, a great deal of uncertainty continues. Most models turn Irma north late this weekend before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. Confidence is higher that the greatest threat for a landfalling U.S. hurricane will be South Florida; or potentially Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina. If Florida, landfall would likely occur late this weekend, Mid-Atlantic states early next week. Bottom line, still more questions than answers, and we have a lot of time for things to change. 

In Mississippi, a cold front arrives this evening and tonight; in advance of the front, a few showers and storms develop, but nothing widespread. Clearing and turning cooler during the day Wednesday. Temperatures dip into the upper 70s and low 80s through Thursday; lows in the 50s through Saturday! Highs warm into the middle 80s this weekend, but due to low humidity levels, it will feel awfully nice.

Be sure to join us this evening and tonight on WLBT for the latest updates! You can also find me on social media: Facebook and Twitter

Michael Haynes

 

Irma Strengthening

Irma continues to strengthen in the Atlantic and will soon become a Category 4 hurricane. Irma will pass near Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba late this week and into the weekend. As of now, we're expecting a sharp northern turn before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. Exactly when and the extent of that turn remains in question, but will be very significant for potential impacts in South Florida, then eventually the East Coast. Bottom line, all those with interests from Miami north into the Mid Atlantic states should pay close attention to the forecast, prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

Here in Mississippi, the news is much better; in fact, we're expecting a major change to cooler weather, beginning Wednesday. A cold front arrives Tuesday, kicking off a round of scattered showers and a few storms. A shot of cooler, refreshing air blows in behind the front Tuesday night into Wednesday, leading to highs in the upper 70s and low 80s with lows in the 50s through the end of this week. Turning a bit warmer over the weekend; still, not bad for September in Mississippi!

Be sure to join us this evening and tonight on WLBT for the latest updates! You can also find me on social media: Facebook and Twitter

Michael Haynes

Dry Today, Cooler Next Week!

Starting out pleasant for early September with temperatures in the 60s. For today, lots of sunshine and dry with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. Also, humidity levels remain tolerable, making it feel comfortable (for this time of year).

A cold front arrives Tuesday, leading to scattered showers and storms. Behind the front, a blast of fall like air arrives Tuesday night and Wednesday; highs likely hold in the 70s to low 80s Thursday and Friday with lows in the 50s!

In the tropics, Hurricane Irma continues to strengthen in the Atlantic and will likely become a major category 4 by Tuesday. The long term track remains uncertain, but the possibility exits for impacts along the Easy Coast next week. 

Michael Haynes