FRIDAY: The core of the heat dome will nudge toward the region to round out the work week across central and southwest Mississippi. Expect highs in the 90s to near 100 – though, factoring the high levels of moisture stuck in the atmosphere, feels like temperatures will soar to near 115. A cooling storm may catch up with a few locations, but most will likely dry and hot. Lows will fall to the 70s near 80 under a mostly clear sky.
WEEKEND PLANNER: The upper ridge will hang over the area through Saturday, featuring a similar day to Friday – with a mostly to partly sunny sky, highs will push into the upper 90s to near 100; feels like temperatures will tag 115 yet again in some locales. A stray storm or two can’t be ruled out. Sunday will feature a buckling in the upper ridge; while the majority of the day will be dry, expect afternoon and evening storms to develop and drop in from north to south. Out ahead of the front, highs will top out in the middle to upper 90s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: As the upper ridge breaks down, rain chances will increase through Sunday night into Monday. This will help to bring temperatures down and rain chances back up. An early August front will sweep through the region by mid-week, ushering in some relief from the high heat and scours out some of the moisture. Rain chances will tend to drop amid a mix of clouds and sun through late week with highs in the 80s to near 90.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 30, 2021
July 29, 2021
ALERT DAY: Critical Heat Stress Remains Through Late Week
THURSDAY: The upper ridge will expand eastward into the region, helping to bring in higher heat amid the already high humidity and lower the opportunities for showers and storms. Expect highs in the middle to upper 90s – feels like temperatures running into between 105-115. An ALERT DAY remains in place through the end of the weekend due to the heat stress. Any storms that are able to fire up will fizzle quickly after sunset. Lows will fall back into middle to upper 70s.
FRIDAY: The core of the heat dome will nudge toward the region to round out the work week across central and southwest Mississippi. Expect highs in the 90s to near 100 – though, factoring the high levels of moisture stuck in the atmosphere, feels like temperatures will soar to near 115. A cooling storm may catch up with a few locations, but most will likely dry and hot. Lows will fall to the 70s near 80 under a mostly clear sky.
EXTENDED FORECAST: With the upper ridge holding through the weekend, expect highs into the middle and upper 90s; further pushing heat stress levels with feels like temperatures around 110-115 on a daily basis. A few hit and miss storms will be possible, but chances to get cooled off from rain will be lower than earlier in the week. The upper ridge will break down by early next week, bringing temperatures down and rain chances back up. A front will sweep through the region by mid-week, ushering in some relief from the high heat and scours out some of the moisture.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 28, 2021
ALERT DAY: Critical Heat Stress Late Week, Into Weekend
WEDNESDAY: Lather, rinse and repeat with our small disturbances nearby, kicking up better chances for widely spaced showers and storms. Expect highs to still make their way toward the middle 90s – feeling between 105-115. For the reasons of the excessive heat, an ALERT DAY is in play to remind everyone to take it easy and to take their warm weather precautions. Rain and storms will tend to fade Wednesday evening with lows in the middle 70s.
THURSDAY: The upper ridge will expand eastward into the region, helping to bring in higher heat amid the already high humidity and lower the opportunities for showers and storms. Expect highs in the middle to upper 90s – feels like temperatures running into between 105-115. Any storms that are able to fire up will fizzle quickly after sunset. Lows will fall back into middle to upper 70s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: With the upper ridge gets the upper hand through late week, pushing highs into the middle and upper 90s; further pushing heat stress levels with feels like temperatures around 110 on a daily basis. A few hit and miss storms will be possible, but chances to get cooled off from rain will be lower than earlier in the week. The upper ridge will start to break down by early next week, bringing temperatures down and rain chances back up. A front will sweep through the region by mid-week, ushering in some relief from the high heat and scours out some of the moisture.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 27, 2021
Summer Heat Yields Summer Downpours Mid-Week
TUESDAY: A few patches of fog will be possible early, but similar to recent mornings, it will lift quickly after sunrise. A weak disturbance will help to kick up a few more storm opportunities by the afternoon hours. A mix of clouds and sun will push highs to the lower to middle 90s. Downpours will hang around through the early evening hours with lows dropping into the middle 70s.
WEDNESDAY: Lather, rinse and repeat with our small disturbances nearby, kicking up better chances for scattered showers and storms. Highest chances will tend to be near and south of I-20 through the afternoon hours. Expect highs to still make their way toward the middle 90s – feeling between 105-110. Rain and storms will tend to fade Wednesday evening with lows in the middle 70s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Chances for rain will taper off as the upper ridge gets the upper hand through late week, pushing highs into the middle and upper 90s; further pushing heat stress levels with feels like temperatures around 110 on a daily basis. A few hit and miss storms will be possible, but chances to get cooled off from rain will be lower than earlier in the week. The upper ridge will start to break down slightly by early next week, bringing temperatures down and rain chances back up.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 26, 2021
Sizzling Summer Heat To Hit Its Stride This Week
MONDAY: Under a stout upper ridge, expect yet another hot, steamy day with highs quickly climbing into the middle 90s with a risk for a few wayward storms developing through the afternoon hours. Highest chances will tend to be near and east of I-55. Further west, heat stress levels may reach critical levels in the South Delta and along the Mississippi River – feels like temperatures could crest over 110 at times amid lower opportunities for storms. Any storms that develop will fade by 10 PM, lows will drop to the middle to upper 70s.
TUESDAY: A few patches of fog will be possible early, but similar to recent mornings, it will lift quickly after sunrise. A weak disturbance will help to kick up a few more storm opportunities by the afternoon hours. A mix of clouds and sun will push highs to the lower to middle 90s. Downpours will hang around through the early evening hours with lows dropping into the middle 70s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Another opportunity for widely spaced storms remains in play through Wednesday with highs in the lower to middle 90s. Chances for rain will taper off as the upper ridge gets the upper hand through late week, pushing highs into the middle and upper 90s; further pushing heat stress levels with feels like temperatures around 110 on a daily basis. A few hit and miss storms will be possible, but chances to get cooled off from rain will be lower than earlier in the week. The upper ridge will start to break down slightly by early next week.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 23, 2021
Hit, Miss Storms Amid Increasing Heat Stress
FRIDAY: A weak disturbance will roll on the back side of the burgeoning upper ridge from the south – helping to kick up a better chance for widely scattered, mainly afternoon, showers and storms – drifting from NW to SE. Outside of the storm chances, expect a mix of clouds and sun with highs in the lower 90s. Feels like temperatures will be closer to 105.
WEEKEND PLANNER: Our upper ridge will still play a role in the weekend forecast, two-fold. Another weak disturbance will help to kick up another round of scattered storms by the afternoon hours of Saturday. Expect a mix of clouds and sun otherwise with highs in the lower to middle 90s. High pressure will be more prevalent Sunday with lower opportunities for rain and storms. Feels like temperatures will run between 105-110.
EXTENDED FORECAST: The stout upper ridge will hang around early week – pushing highs toward the middle 90s Monday, feels like temperatures running closer to 105-110. A few disturbances will help to kick up a few more storms by mid-week on the back side of the expansive ridge. Highs will remain near normal, in the lower to middle 90s.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 22, 2021
Hit, Miss Storms; Stifling Heat Ahead
THURSDAY: Our unsettled pattern finally begins to calm down as an upper ridge starts to nudge in from the south through the latter part of the week. Expect temperatures to quickly rebound into the lower 90s amid a mix of clouds and sun. A few hit and miss storms may catch up with you by the latter part of the day, but coverage will be much less than in recent days.
FRIDAY: A weak disturbance will roll on the back side of the burgeoning upper ridge from the south – helping to kick up a better chance for scattered, mainly afternoon, showers and storms – drifting from NW to SE. Outside of the storm chances, expect a mix of clouds and sun with highs in the lower 90s. Feels like temperatures will be closer to 105.
EXTENDED FORECAST: A stout upper ridge will expand over much of the country through late week. In response, temperatures will gradually begin to heat back up by the upcoming weekend. While occasional disturbances could kick up storms from time to time, coverage will not be as widespread as recent days. Due to antecedent wet ground, heat indices could reach critical levels as heat cranks to the middle 90s by next week.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 21, 2021
Rain Coverage Decreases; Heat, Humidity Increases
WEDNESDAY: Our stalled front will help to kick up yet another risk for scattered downpours, mainly during the afternoon and early evening hours. While it may not rain all day long, where and when it rains, the storms could come down quick, fast and in a hurry again. Highs will top out in the middle to upper 80s; a few spots could tag 90. Lows will drop to the lower to middle 70s with partly clear skies as rain chances taper after sunset.
THURSDAY: Our unsettled pattern finally begins to calm down as an upper ridge starts to nudge in from the south through the latter part of the week. Expect temperatures to quickly rebound into the lower 90s amid a mix of clouds and sun. A few hit and miss storms may catch up with you by the latter part of the day, but coverage will be much less than in recent days.
EXTENDED FORECAST: A stout upper ridge will expand over much of the country through late week. In response, temperatures will gradually begin to heat back up by the upcoming weekend. While occasional disturbances could kick up storms from time to time, coverage will not be as widespread as recent days. Due to antecedent wet ground, heat indices could reach critical levels as heat cranks to the middle 90s by next week.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 20, 2021
Downpours Continue, At Times, Mid-Week
TUESDAY: Rain chances will remain elevated heading into Tuesday with our unsettled pattern – expect variably cloudy skies with scattered downpours at times to contend with. Highs will make a run for the middle 80s if you can dodge the storm potential. Localized flooding continues to be a concern with heavy, slow-moving storms. Storms will gradually fade late with lows in the lower 70s.
WEDNESDAY: Our stalled front will help to kick up yet another risk for scattered downpours through mid-week. While it may not rain all day long, where and when it rains, the storms could come down quick, fast and in a hurry again. Highs will top out in the middle to upper 80s; a few spots could tag 90.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Gradually, the stalled front overhead will begin to fade. As we progress through the end of the week, chances for rain and storms will begin to drop off in coverage. In response, temperatures will gradually begin to heat back up by the upcoming weekend. By week’s end, high pressure will attempt to nudge in to bring down the rain chances, but still expect to dodge raindrops from time to time. Due to antecedent wet ground, heat indices could reach critical levels as heat cranks to the middle 90s by next week.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 19, 2021
Wet, Unsettled Pattern Continues This Week
MONDAY: Our unsettled, wet pattern continues to plague the area to kick off the new work week. With a front stalled nearby and a few disturbances moving through a moisture-laden atmosphere, showers and storms will continue to hang around in an on and off fashion. Localized flooding will be a possibility again with the heaviest showers and storms. Amid that, expect variably cloudy skies with highs in the 80s. Storms will tend to fade a bit overnight, though we’ll still run a risk with lows in the upper 60s and lower 70s.
TUESDAY: Rain chances will remain elevated heading into Tuesday with our unsettled pattern – expect variably cloudy skies with scattered downpours at times to contend with. Highs will make a run for the middle to upper 80s if you can dodge the storm potential. Storms will gradually fade late with lows in the lower 70s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Through mid-week, chances for rain and storms will remain elevated that to the gradually fading front over the region. In response, temperatures will gradually begin to heat back up by the upcoming weekend. By week’s end, high pressure will attempt to nudge in to bring down the rain chances, but still expect to dodge raindrops from time to time.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx