MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Few Storms; Hot

Some much needed showers and storms in isolated spots this afternoon, but the chance for rain at any given location remains low.

Otherwise, hot and steamy with temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s under a mix of sun and clouds.

The coverage of rain/storms will begin increasing late this week, leading to more widespread storms over the weekend. We certainly need the rain. Rain totals are running 2 to 3 inches below average since the beginning of May.

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 FORECAST: Great finish to a long holiday weekend!

Happy Memorial Day!

It's the unofficial start to summer, and the weather seems to have no problem diving right in to the new season. We had our first 90° day on Sunday when we hit 93° for a high temperature. We'll likely get into the 90s again today, and the high temperature forecast is low 90s for the next few days!

High pressure is off to our southeast over the Gulf of Mexico. That high will help to keep most of our day rain-free, but thanks to building heat and plenty of moisture in the air, we'll likely have some pop-up rain and thunderstorms developing during the peak hours of the day.

That same high pressure is expected to erode a bit over the next few days, allowing even more moisture to come into the area. We're keeping about 20-30% chances for rain each day through the middle of the week. By Thursday, a cold front off to our northwest will start to edge closer and increase the chance for rain and thunder.

 

In other news, Bonnie has now been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone. That means the storm is no longer using warm water as fuel. Winds are still at about 30 mph and some folks along the East Cost could see several more inches of rain! 

Meteorologist Julia Weiden

Weekday Mornings on WLBT & Fox 40 

Facebook: Meteorologist Julia Weiden

Twitter: @JuliaWeiden

Hot, Humid Weekend; Watching the Tropics

A hot and humid Holiday Weekend... More clouds today than previous afternoons; thanks to the clouds, temperatures are running slightly cooler with highs in the middle to upper 80s rather than the upper 80s and lower 90s. Scattered storms are possible in West Mississippi later this afternoon and evening. This pattern continues into the weekend with highs in the upper 80s Saturday, then near 90 degrees Sunday & Memorial Day along with isolated to scattered showers and storms each day.  

On the Gulf Coast, mostly sunny with highs in the middle to upper 80s; a few widely spaced afternoon showers and storms are possible, but anything to develops will be brief and spotty. 

In the tropics, we're watching a system NE of the Bahamas that is becoming more organized. It could soon become Tropical Storm Bonnie. This system will continue moving NW toward the East Coast, producing heavy rain and gusty wind from Georgia into the Mid Atlantic states over the weekend.

We are not expecting any problems for the Gulf of Mexico.  

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

Hot & Steamy

Our summer time pattern continues with hot, muggy days and warm, humid nights...

Once again, we are in the upper 80s to near 90 degrees this afternoon under a mix of sun and clouds. A few storms are possible through the evening; the better will remain west of I-55, but even there the chance for rain at any one spot is around 30 percent. Any storm that does develop will be capable of producing gusty straight line wind, heavy rain, and frequent lightning.

This pattern continues through the Memorial Day Weekend; afternoon temperatures will run in the 87 to 90 degree range, morning lows in the upper 60s to lower 70s, along with an isolated to scattered coverage of afternoon storms.  

On the Gulf Coast, mostly sunny with highs in the middle to upper 80s; a few widely spaced afternoon showers and storms are possible, but anything to develops will be brief and spotty. 

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

Feeling Like Summer

A summer-like pattern ahead... After a beautiful weekend, it will feel more like summer over the coming days due to increasing humidity and warmer temperatures. Afternoon highs reach the upper 80s to near 90 each day with morning lows in the 60s. We remain dry through midweek, followed by a better opportunity for scattered showers and storms, Thursday through the weekend. 

With the heat increasing, this is a great time to remind ourselves and others to ALWAYS remove children and pets from vehicles; do not leave them inside for ANY length of time! Temperatures increase to dangerous levels within a matter of minutes, causing serious heat related illness or death.

Considering an outside temperatures of 88°, the interior vehicle temp rises to approx 96° within 5 minutes, 105° in 10 minutes, then 118° in 20 minutes.

You know the saying: "Beat the Heat, Check the Back Seat"!

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 FORECAST: Warm and humid weekend ahead!

The majority of the rain and storms have ended! It's still very humid though, and likely will be through the weekend. We could get a couple of isolated showers and thunderstorms during Friday afternoon, but we'll be drier on Saturday and Sunday. The high temperature today will be in the low 80s. Tonight will be partly cloudy and in the low 60s.

Saturday will be humid with mostly sunny skies and a high in the mid 80s. Sunday will be sunny and in the mid 80s.

We're dry through much of the week with slight chances for rain returning as we get towards Wednesday and Thursday. A lot of warmth and humidity will be in place! Temperatures could get close to 90 a few times.

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

Storms Tonight; Beautiful Weekend

Finally some sunshine today, but clouds are returning this afternoon in advance of a system that will bring a round of rain and storms this evening and tonight. As of 3 pm, the storm system is moving through East Texas and West Louisiana.

Storms arrive in SW Mississippi between approximately 6pm & 8pm, then the I-55 corridor between 8pm & 10pm. The heaviest rain shifts into East Mississippi and Alabama late tonight and early Friday morning. The severe threat is low, but a few strong storms are possible with the potential for gusty wind and brief downpours. Occasional hit and miss showers continue during the day Friday, followed by drier weather for the weekend. Sunshine returns with afternoon highs in the 80s both days and morning lows in the upper 50s and lower 60s.  

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

Showers decreasing this afternoon... For now. 

Still some hit and miss showers into this evening, but not as widespread as this morning. Some peaks of sunshine are possible as temperatures reach the middle to upper 70s.

Scattered showers along with a few storms continue at times through Thursday, then rain/storms become widespread Thursday night into Friday morning. On average, we're expecting 1 to 2 inches of rain through Friday with locally higher amounts possible. 

For the weekend, much improving weather. Clearing during the day Saturday with near average temperatures and lower humidity.

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

 

 

 

Pleasant Weekend!

A beautiful weekend ahead!

After a brief round of storms yesterday, we are slightly cooler and less humid thanks to the passage of a cold front. Temperatures are running in the low 80s today, but with decreasing humidity levels it feels much more comfortable compared to recent days. 

Another, dry front arrives Saturday, knocking afternoon highs down into the upper 70s to near 80 through Sunday. Clouds increase during the day Sunday, but the better chance for rain will remain west of 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

 

Evening Storms

Another warm and humid day, but changes are ahead...

A broken line of storms will move across the state from north to south this evening in advance of a cold front. The severe threat is minimal, but gusty wind and hail are possible. As of 3:15pm, strong storms are developing along and north of the U.S. 82 corridor..

 

Clearing later tonight, then turning slightly cooler and less humid Friday.

Another, dry front arrives Saturday, knocking afternoon highs down into the upper 70s to near 80 through Sunday. Clouds increase during the day Sunday; while we can't rule out a passing shower, the better chance for rain will remain over North 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