MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

July Heat to July Storms

FRIDAY: Expect nearly a carbon copy of your Thursday for the end of the work week. Highs will work their way toward the lower and middle 90s – feels like temperatures running toward 105°. A stray storm can’t be ruled out amid a mixture of sunshine and puffy clouds.  
 
WEEKEND PLANNER: Summer heat and humidity will continue to make its presence known through Saturday and Sunday. Highs will top out near 90°, feeling closer to 100-105° both afternoons. Storm chances will increase a bit by Sunday as a weak disturbance rounds the backside of our ridge of high pressure.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: By next week - a front will keep elevated rain chances in the forecast through early next week. Behind the front, we’ll see temperatures slip from the lower 90s through the weekend, into the 80s through mid-next week.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Scattered Storms Bubble Up Tuesday Afternoon

TUESDAY: A warm, quiet morning will give way to a bit more active situation through the afternoon hours as moisture from Barry will continue to surge over the area. Expect partly sunny skies with scattered tropical downpours flaring up by the afternoon hours. A gusty storm or two can’t be ruled out, similar to Monday afternoon. Highs will top out in the middle to upper 80s.  
 
WEDNESDAY: High pressure will begin to nose back in across central Mississippi through the day – bringing lower rain chances and warmer temperatures back into the fold. Highs will top out in the lower 90s amid a mix of sun and clouds. Feels like temperatures will once again crest between 100-105°. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Our pattern turns back to a normal set up for mid-July – outside of a few afternoon storms, expect a mainly dry rule amid typical July heat and humidity. Highs will top out in the lower to middle 90s; feels like temperatures around 100-105° daily. By the weekend, a few weak disturbances moving through may help to kick up better opportunities for scattered showers and storms.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Drenching Downpours From Barry Continue

MONDAY: The remnants of Barry will continue to plague the area throughout much of the day. Expect more rounds of showers and storms to pivot over the region. Stay weather aware starting off the work week as there still exists a risk for flash flooding and a few spin-up tornadoes. Showers and storms will begin to lose steam this afternoon and evening – highs will top out in the lower to middle 80s.  
 
TUESDAY: A quiet morning will give way to a bit more active situation through the afternoon hours as moisture from Barry will continue to surge over the area. Expect partly sunny skies with scattered tropical downpours flaring up by the afternoon hours. Highs will top out in the middle to upper 80s.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Our pattern turns back to a normal set up for mid-July – outside of a few afternoon storms, expect a mainly dry rule amid typical July heat and humidity. Highs will top out in the lower to middle 90s; feels like temperatures around 100-105° daily. By the weekend, a few weak disturbances moving through may help to kick up better opportunities for scattered showers and storms.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

TS Barry Nears Landfall, Impacts Increase Later Today, Into Sunday

SATURDAY: Tropical Storm Barry will have an impact on your weekend, likely in waves. Expect scattered to numerous showers and storms to develop through your day as temperatures work their way into the middle to upper 80s. Generally, the waves of rain will not lead up to flooding concerns. But, with any landfalling tropical system, the possibility for a few quick spin-up tornadoes will be possible. Rain chances will likely increase through Saturday evening and night.  
 
SUNDAY: Impacts from Barry will continue to increase as the core of the system gradually pushes its way northward through central Louisiana. The highest impact will likely lie east of the center of circulation; along that axis is where the heaviest rain, strongest wind and highest potential for a spin-up tornadoes. Highs will top out in the upper 70s and lower 80s. 
 
WEEKEND IMPACTS: Tropical Storm Barry will likely make landfall along the Louisiana Gulf Coast by Saturday afternoon or evening – possibly as a category 1 hurricane. Locally, expect occasional squalls to rotate through Saturday, though it will not be constant. Rain chances increase through Saturday night and continue through Sunday as Barry continues to move inland. Local impacts will include localized flooding concerns; rainfall amounts between 5-10" with locally heavier amounts up to 15”, mainly across southwest Mississippi; gusty winds upward of 40-45 mph and quick spin-up tornadoes as the rain bands rotate through the region. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Barry’s remnants will likely hang around through Monday, spreading rounds of showers and storms over the region as it begins to exit. Behind it, we’ll have plenty of lingering moisture to keep daily chances for scattered afternoon storms elevated through mid-week amid highs in the lower 90s.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

All Eyes on TS Barry, Impacts Likely This Weekend

FRIDAY: While we’ll start off quietly amid hazy skies and summery heat and humidity – the end of the day may turn a bit more active as scattered, to at times, numerous showers and storms may flare up across the region. A strong storm or two can’t be ruled, possibly with an isolated tornado risk, amid highs that will top out in the lower to middle 90s. 
 
WEEKEND IMPACTS: Tropical Storm Barry will likely make landfall along the Louisiana Gulf Coast by Saturday afternoon or evening – possibly as a category 1 hurricane. Locally, expect occasional squalls to rotate through Saturday, though it will not be constant. Highs will top out in the 80s. Rain chances increase through Saturday night and continue through Sunday as Barry continues to move inland. Local impacts will include localized flooding concerns; rainfall amounts between 3-6+″ north of I-20; 5-10+" south of I-20; gusty winds upward of 40-45 mph and quick spin-up tornadoes as the rain bands rotate through the region. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Barry’s remnants will likely hang around through Monday, spreading rounds of showers and storms over the region as it begins to exit. Behind it, we’ll have plenty of lingering moisture to keep daily chances for scattered afternoon storms elevated amid highs in the lower 90s.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Heat Wave Continues; Tropics Heating Up

WEDNESDAY: Our heat ridge over the region continues to bring the heat and humidity over the region. Expect another afternoon with a mix of sun and clouds, a few widely spaced afternoon storms and highs well into the middle to upper 90s, though, feeling like between 105-110°. Overnight, we’ll remain warm and muggy in the middle to upper 70s amid partly clear skies.  
 
THURSDAY: The summer heat and humidity will continue as we roll into the latter half of the work week, though Thursday will feature a better chance for scattered showers and storms with heavy downpours as tropical moisture from the south gets tangled up with an approaching disturbance from the north. Highs will still manage the lower to middle 90s.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: A system in the Gulf of Mexico will have a highly conducive environment to develop through the next few days. This system could become a tropical storm, or even a hurricane, that will drift westward into the weekend. The storm will eventually turn north either along the far east Texas coast or along coastal Louisiana by Friday into Saturday. As of now, impact threats are beginning to come into focus with bouts of heavy rain, minor wind issues and the possibility of a few spin-up tornadoes. Details on the exact and intensity still are fuzzy and will ultimately determine the level of impacts we’ll have to endure locally. We’ll continue to watch it and keep you advised through the week on its progress and effects on our forecast. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Searing Heat; Tropical Mischief Afoot

TUESDAY: A typical early July day setting up across central Mississippi – expect another hot, hazy and humid day with highs rebounding to the middle 90s by the afternoon. Feels like temperatures will rocket toward 103-108° range. A few cooling showers and storms can’t be ruled out but may be the exception to a mainly dry rule. Overnight – we'll remain muggy with lows in the 70s. 
 
WEDNESDAY: Our heat ridge over the region continues to bring the heat and humidity over th region. Expect another afternoon with a mix of sun and clouds, a few afternoon storms and highs well into the middle 90s, though, feeling like between 102-108°. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: All eyes will be on the northern Gulf of Mexico through the latter half of the week as an upper disturbance drops into the Gulf through the mid-portion of the week. This could gather itself in a conducive environment to become a tropical storm that would likely drift westward through the latter half of the week. As of now, direct impacts from the system are uncertain, but in a regional sense, heavy rain and gusty winds will be possible, especially on the eastern side of the system, wherever it may end up going. We’ll continue to watch it and keep you advised through the week on its progress and effects on our forecast. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Scattered Storms Wednesday; Hot, Muggy Thursday

WEDNESDAY: A weak disturbance will move across the region through Wednesday afternoon, offering a better chance for scattered showers and storms. Outside of that, expect highs to top out amid partly sunny skies near 90°. Storms that develop will likely have heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds. Most fizzle before midnight as temperatures ease into the 70s for another night.  
 
4TH OF JULY: Expect ‘hot as a firecracker’ weather through Thursday as high pressure build over the region through the latter part of the week. Highs will push toward the lower to, a few, middle 90s, but humidity levels will bring ‘feels like’ temps between 99 - 103°. There is a small chance of a cooling storm but many and most will stay dry through the day and for any outdoor activities.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: A ridge of high pressure will expand over the southeast through the remainder of the week. The heat cranks up through the upcoming weekend with heat stress levels pushing the 110° mark Friday and Saturday afternoons. A slightly better chance for cooling storms return by late Sunday and into next week. 

 

 

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

Typical July Heat, Humidity Tuesday

TUESDAY: A typical early July day brings us a mix of sun and clouds through your Tuesday. Highs will work their way into the lower to, a few, middle 90s through the afternoon hours. A stray storm or two could bubble up with the daytime heating, but most will likely be dry. A few downpours may develop overnight as lows drop into the 70s. 
 
WEDNESDAY: A weak disturbance will move across the region through Wednesday afternoon, offering a better chance for scattered showers and storms. Outside of that, expect highs to top out amid partly sunny skies near 90°. Storms that develop will likely have heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds. Most fizzle before midnight as temperatures ease into the 70s for another night.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: A ridge of high pressure will expand over the southeast through the remainder of the week, including for Independence Day Thursday. If you have plans to be outside Thursday for the holiday, expect it to be hot and humid. Highs will top out in the middle 90s, while feels like temperatures will run between 99-103°. The heat cranks up through the upcoming weekend with heat stress levels pushing the 110° mark Friday and Saturday afternoons. A slightly better chance for cooling storms return by late Sunday and into next week.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Strong Storms Possible

Seasonably hot and humid weather continues through the end of this week and the weekend... Starting out in the 70s along with lots of sunshine. For today, a mix of sun and clouds this morning followed by a scattering of showers and storms by the afternoon and evening. Any storm that does develop will be capable of producing gusty wind, heavy downpours, and frequent lightning. This pattern continues through the weekend, featuring hot days and muggy nights along with hit a miss showers and storms each afternoon.

Michael Haynes