MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

6:30AM Update

As of 6:30 this morning, precipitation is increasing statewide...

 

The freezing line is located along the Natchez Trace, (near Vicksburg to West Jackson (Hawkins Field) to Carthage to Columbus; some locations along and northwest of that line have already reported up to 1-half inch accumulation of ice due to freezing rain and sleet. Travel conditions are deteriorating quickly where temperatures are below freezing. Southeast of the freezing line/Natchez Trace, a mix of rain, sleet, and a few snowflakes is occurring, as of 6:30am. As the freezing line advances southeast throughout the morning, roads will become icy, especially bridges and overpasses. Obviously, travel is highly discouraged as conditions will become more dangerous over the coming hours. The precipitation will wind down by late morning and early afternoon, but temperatures remain below freezing causing roads to remain icy.

Michael Haynes

Another Round of Winter Weather

Unseasonably warm again today, but some major changes are ahead...

For the second straight day, temperatures are running above average. Can you believe many spots are near 80 degrees, as of noon?? Sure does feel nice, but don't get used to it because a cold front arrives tonight followed by a change to very cold weather and another winter storm potential.

 

In advance of the front, rain along with a few storms increase in coverage this evening; we can't rule out a few strong storms, but widespread severe weather is not expected. As the front passes, temperatures drop throughout the night as shallow, arctic air arrives. The northern half of Mississippi, including the Delta, will fall below freezing after midnight, causing a changeover to freezing rain with significant icing; we're projecting ice accumulation totals in the 1-quarter (0.25) to 1-third (0.33) inch range by tomorrow afternoon in the Delta counties and points north. Impacts will include icy roads/dangerous travel conditions and some power outages. For points along the Natchez Trace Parkway and I-20 corridor, the changeover will occur between 6AM and 9AM; impacts will be less significant compared to points north, but some road and especially bridge icing is likely as temperature remain near freezing throughout the day. 

 

 

In addition to significant ice accumulation, precip will likely change to sleet and snow in North Mississippi with the potential for several inches near the Tennessee state line:

 

 

Dave Roberts and I will have full updates this evening and tonight WLBT; also, be sure to join Julia Weiden for live coverage tomorrow morning, beginning at 5 o'clock!

 

You can also find me on social media: Facebook and Twitter

 

Michael Haynes

 

Tuesday PM Update

For the third time in two weeks, we're gearing up for a round of winter weather.... How about some good news first? After a long stretch of cold weather, we are unseasonably warm this afternoon; hard to believe that temperatures are soaring into the 70s over the southern half of the state! 

 

For tonight, warm and muggy with occasional showers and fog; lows hold in the lower 60s, which is close to our average high for early March.

 

Rain and storms become more widespread tomorrow in advance of a cold front; while a few strong storms are possible, widespread severe weather looks unlikely. Things get very interesting tomorrow night; as the front passes, a shallow layer of arctic air slips in, changing the precipitation to freezing rain and sleet. Along the Highway 82 corridor, we're expecting the changeover to occur by midnight, and before sunrise along the I-20 corridor...

 

Here's our latest thinking regarding precip type and accumulation totals:

 

 

 

 

Still looks like the greatest impacts will remain north of I-20 where travel will become dangerous Thursday morning; also, power outages are certainly a possibility, especially in the Delta and points north. Some light snow is possible over North Mississippi as the precip ends Thursday, but freezing rain is the primary concern.

 

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

 

Michael Haynes

Another Wild Week Ahead!

More interesting weather ahead this week!... For today, the milder and wet pattern continues with periods of rain; afternoon temperatures reach the middle 50s over the southern half of the state and 40s to the north.

Much warmer air blows in from the south tonight leading to a couple of unseasonably warm days. We hold in the 50s tomorrow morning, then highs soar into the 70s! Otherwise, a mix of sun & clouds, along with a scattering of showers.

Rain and storms become more widespread Wednesday as a cold front arrives; with warm, moist air in place, a few storms could be strong, but widespread severe weather is not expected. Once the front passes things will get very interesting as cold, arctic air slips in from the north. As rain continues to fall behind the front, a significant round of freezing rain appears likely over parts of the state Wednesday night into Thursday morning... This is output from the NAM model, valid midnight Wednesday, illustrating a changeover to freezing rain in North Mississippi:

 

As of now, we're expecting the greatest impacts north of I-20, but if the cold air arrives earlier, the threat would expand farther south. Similar to last week's freezing rain event, potential impacts include: icy roads (especially bridges and overpasses) and power outages. Needless to say, we'll keep you posted!  

Don't forget to join us tonight on WLBT and Fox 40. You can also find me on social media: Facebook and Twitter

Michael Haynes