MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

JULIA'S FORECAST: Tuesday morning update

 

The heaviest rain is long done! We broke a few records yesterday. Greenwood received 1.67", which broke the old record of .74" set in 1956. Meridian totaled 3.62" yesterday, nearly tripling their last record of 1.32" in 1996. Read on for what to expect today.

AM Commute: Today's drive in will be much less eventful than yesterday's commute. The skies will be gray and showers will be light and on-and-off. Temperatures through the morning are mainly in the 60s and low 70s.

This Afternoon: Today we will have a few light showers around, but there will be more breaks of gray skies. The temperatures reach the mid 70s and the winds are breezy out of the east up to 20 mph.

Rest of the Week: A few showers linger through tonight and early Wednesday morning, but our pattern will generally shift to one of clearing as we get to the middle of the work week. Temperatures will range in the mid and upper 70s Wednesday through Friday with varying amounts of cloud cover, but generally pleasant conditions.

Halloween Weekend: We begin to watch the next weather-making system on Saturday, Halloween. As of now it looks like winds will increase and showers enter on Halloween afternoon. Heavier rain will likely settle in near sunset. We'll keep you updated on the trick-or-treat forecast!

 

Meteorologist Julia Weiden

Weekday Mornings on WLBT & Fox 40 

Facebook: Meteorologist Julia Weiden

Twitter: @JuliaWeiden

Monday Afternoon Update

The rain is becoming less widespread this afternoon thanks to drier air moving across Mississippi; but showers along with some heavy downpours will continue throughout the evening and night.

The rain we've already received over the past 24-36 hours is exactly what the doctor ordered, and has made a significant dent in our drought conditions. The heaviest rain occurred west of I-55 where locations received 4-8 inches, on average, with locally higher amounts; points east of I-55 received between 2 and 4 inches.

For some perspective, until this system the Jackson International Airport had received less than 3 inches since July 1. Another one half to 1 inch is possible on a more isolated basis through Tuesday night. 

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

 

Julia's Monday forecast

Julia Weiden's Monday Forecast

**A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for much of our area until 1pm today. If you come across flooded roads while traveling, turn around and find an alternate route.**

AM Commute: Regarding today's wet weather, the morning hours will be when we endure the steadiest and heaviest rain. We had record rain amounts in some areas yesterday (Vicksburg received 3.67") so it is likely that some roads will have ponding issues. Please take extra caution and avoid routes that easily flood during your morning drive. Temperatures are in the upper 60s and low 70s.

This Afternoon:  Expect to see some breaks in the rain after midday. It will still be damp and cloudy with about a 40-50% chance for rain during the afternoon and evening hours. Temperatures only top out in the low 70s and the winds will gust upwards of 30 mph at times. There is a possibility for some tree limbs to come down, causing isolated power outages.

Week Ahead: The rain remains on-and-off through the overnight with temperatures dipping to the low 60s. Tuesday will continue to feature rain at times with cloudy skies otherwise. The chance for rain decreases throughout the day on Tuesday and the temperatures reach the mid 70s. Wednesday will be more pleasant with afternoon sun and a high in the upper 70s.

Meteorologist Julia Weiden
Weekday Mornings on WLBT & Fox 40 
Facebook: Meteorologist Julia Weiden
Twitter: @JuliaWeiden

Heather's Sunday evening weather update

This Evening: Heavy downpours will continue as the sun sets. We may see the rain lighten up at times but overall it will rain for the rest of the night into tomorrow morning. As for the severe weather threat, that will be confined to south Mississippi along Hwy 84 and points south. Otherwise we'll see flash flooding a possibility. Rainfall totals will be close to 2-3" by the end of the day. Highs will be in the mid 70s. Natchez already recorded nearly 4" of rain and more is on the way. Please turn around and don't drown! Temperatures by morning will be in the upper 60s.

(The image on the right shows us estimated rainfall totals through mid afternoon Sunday. These numbers will only go up as more rain will fall Sunday night into Monday morning.)

Monday: More rain expected Monday. In fact we're going with an 80% chance of rain through about 2pm. I do expect to see some rain falling as you head to work or maybe drop the kids off at school. By the end of the day we could a total amount of nearly 5"+ of rain since Saturday. This will certainly help out the drought that's taken over the state. Our next drought update will come in on Thursday morning.

After that: Rain chances will go away for about 3 days and then return next weekend. Right now there's a slight chance of rain on Saturday and better chances or rain on Sunday.

TIME CHANGE! Next Sunday (November 1st) the time will change at 2am. Daylight Saving Time ends and that means we get an extra hour of sleep!

Heather Sophia, Meteorologist
WLBT/WDBD
Facebook: Meteorologist Heather Sophia
Twitter: @heathersophiawx
Instagram: @heathersophia

 

Sunday forecast with Heather Sophia

This morning: Expect scattered to widespread rain throughout the morning. Temperatures will hangout in the mid to upper 60s under cloudy skies (if it's not raining)

Today: Heavy downpours expected throughout the day. We'll see brief breaks from the rain from time to time but most of the day will be soggy. As for the severe weather threat, that will be confined to south Mississippi along Hwy 84 and points south. Otherwise we'll see flash flooding a possibility. Rainfall totals will be close to 2-3" by the end of the day. Highs will be in the mid 70s.

Tonight: We'll have to watch for the chance of a strong storm or two. Otherwise I expect heavy rain at times with some lightning. Flash flooding will be the primary severe weather threat.

Monday: More rain expected Monday. In fact we're going with an 80% chance of rain. I do expect to see some rain falling as you head to work or maybe drop the kids off at school. By the end of the day we could a total amount of nearly 5"+ of rain. This will certainly help out the drought that's taken over the state.

After that: Rain chances will continue through Wednesday. We'll get a brief break from the rain before it returns on Halloween weekend.

Meteorologist Heather Sophia
WLBT/WDBD
Facebook: Meteorologist Heather Sophia
Twitter: @heathersophiawx
Instagram: @heathersophia

 

Historic Hurricane

Hurricane Patricia is now the strongest hurricane on record in both the Eastern North Pacific and Atlantic Basins... Sustained wind has reached 200 mph!

From the National Hurricane Center:

Hurricane Patricia is the strongest hurricane on record in the National Hurricane Center's area of responsibility (AOR) which includes the Atlantic and the eastern North Pacific basins. The minimum central pressure estimated from the aircraft data, 880 mb, is the lowest ever for our AOR. Maximum sustained winds remain near 200 mph (325 km/h) with higher gusts. Patricia is a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible today, but Patricia is expected to remain an extremely dangerous category 5 hurricane through landfall.

A Hurricane Warning continues from San Blas to Punta San Telmo, and a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning from east of Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas. Preparations to protect life and property should now be completed now.

Patricia is centered as of 7 a.m. CDT about 145 miles (235 km) southwest of Manzanillo, moving toward the north-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). A turn toward the north is expected later this morning, followed by a turn toward the north-northeast this afternoon. On the forecast track, the core of Patricia will make landfall in the hurricane warning area this afternoon or evening.

Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to
completion. Tropical storm conditions are now beginning to spread across portions of the warning area. Hurricane conditions are expected to first reach the hurricane warning area this afternoon.

For more information and additional graphics, go to the NHC website atwww.hurricanes.gov.

 

Moisture Increasing; Warm

TODAY: Warm October weather continues as rain chances increase... Moisture levels are rising in advance of a storm system. You'll notice an increase in clouds, beginning today; despite the clouds, temperatures remain unseasonably warm with afternoon highs in the middle to upper 80s. Otherwise, dry through this evening.

WEEKEND: We're expecting a major soaking west of Mississippi where 4 to 8 inches are likely from East Texas, into Oklahoma and Arkansas. For us, a few spotty showers are possible Saturday afternoon, but nothing widespread. And once again, it will feel more like Spring due to high humidity levels and temperatures in the 80s. Showers increase in coverage during the day Sunday, although totals will remain light due to the scattered nature of the rain.

NEXT WEEK: Thanks to a slow moving system in the Northern Gulf, showers with some heavy downpours continue through the middle of next week, followed by a return to seasonably cooler weather.

Michael Haynes
Meteorologist, WLBT/WDBD
E-Mail: mhaynes@wlbt.com
Facebook: Michael Haynes WLBT
Twitter: @MichaelHaynes
Google+: Michael Haynes

Thursday morning forecast with Heather Sophia

Record breaking drought continues!

This morning: We can expect sunny skies this morning with temperatures in the upper 50s and 60s as you head to work.

This afternoon: Afternoon highs will top out near 90°. We should be in the mid 70s for this time of the year. I expect a few clouds to develop this afternoon but the rain will stay away.

Friday: I expect the weather to be much like Thursday with morning lows in the 60s and afternoon highs in the upper 80s.

Rain chances: Rain chances start going up Sunday. Once Sunday arrives, we'll keep daily rain chances in the forecast at least through the middle of next week. This system we're watching will not at all remove us out of the extreme drought but we'll take what we can get. In fact, the last 100 days are now considered the driest in Jackson's history! Download our FREE weather & track the rain with us. Text "FirstAlert" to 340340!

Heather Sophia
Meteorologist
WLBT 3 & F0X40 NEWS Jackson, MS​
Facebook: Meteorologist Heather Sophia
Twitter: @heathersophiawx
Instagram: @heathersophia

Wednesday forecast with Heather Sophia

Wednesday morning drive: We can expect bright and sunny weather as we head to work. Temperatures will be in the upper 50's under mostly clear skies.

This afternoon: Afternoon highs will zoom all the way into the upper 80s under mostly sunny skies with an easterly 10mph breeze.

Tonight: We're in for a quiet night. Temperatures will only fall into the 60s.

Thursday: We'll continue on a warming trend as highs will be a touch warmer in the morning and afternoon. Nonetheless, the rain continues to stay away - at least for now.

Weekend: This is where we'll have the best chance of rain we've seen in a while. We may see a shower or two on Saturday but the better chance is looking like Sunday. But I must say, while the chance is there it's not as good as we'd like to say. We're going with a 20% on Saturday and a 40% on Sunday. 

In the meantime, the drought will only get worse as the rain chances stay away in the short term. In fact, even with the weekend rain chances, it won't be enough to get us out of the drought. 

Heather Sophia
Meteorologist
WLBT 3 & F0X40 NEWS Jackson, MS​
FacebooK: Meteorologist Heather Sophia
Twitter: @heathersophiawx
Instagram: @heathersophia

Tuesday Morning forecast with Heather Sophia

Today: Temperatures this morning will be in the 50s under sunny skies. By this afternoon, expect temperatures to climb into the low 80s. Winds will be out of the southeast up to 10mph.

Wednesday: We can expect another dry day. Morning temperatures will be in the upper 50s with afternoon highs in the mid 80s. Rain will continue to stay away. This means the drought is only getting worse.

Later in the week: Temperatures in the morning and afternoon will continue to climb a few degrees each day.

CHANCE OF RAIN! Finally, we have a chance of rain. BUT! I must warn you, there's a possibility that some of you may not see any at all. While we have decent confidence that it will rain in Texas and Louisiana, the confidence in the forecast goes down as the system moves closer to Mississippi. Sunday and Monday will be the next time we have the best chance of rain at 40%. We have a 20% chance of rain on Saturday. To be honest, even if we get rain, it won't relieve us from the extreme drought.

Heather Sophia
Meteorologist
WLBT/WDBD
Facebook: Meteorologist Heather Sophia

Twitter: @heathersophiawx
Instagram: @heathersophia