MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Tropical Storm Hermine

Summer steam is not letting up today, but some relief is possible for the weekend... Once again, temperatures soar into the middle 90s along with a few widely spaced showers and storms.

Tropical Depression 9 has strengthened to become Tropical Storm Hermine.

As of 1pm, sustained winds are 40 mph; due to warm water in the Gulf, some additional strengthening is possible before reaching NW Florida late Thursday. A Tropical Storm warning continues from near Panama City to Tampa. We are not expecting any significant impacts for Mississippi.

We do have a treat for the weekend as slightly cooler and noticeably drier air blows in from the north; the big difference will be the lower humidity and pleasant breeze! 

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 

 

Mississippi Heat; Tropical Update

The heat continues but some relief is on the way... Highs reach the middle 90s again this afternoon. A few spotty showers develop, but the chance for rain at any given location is low.

Tropical Depression 9 is in the Gulf of Mexico and still has the potential to become a tropical storm. For Mississippi, we are not expecting any issues; the system will turn northeast reaching Florida between Tallahassee and Tampa Thursday afternoon or evening, then will quickly move into the Atlantic. By Friday morning, Florida will be in the clear. Around here, turning slightly cooler and less humid over the Labor Day weekend.

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 

  

Watching The Tropics

All eyes on the Gulf of Mexico...Tropical Depression Nine is located near Western Cuba in the Southeast Gulf of Mexico. Sea Surface temperatures are very warm in the Gulf, which is favorable for strengthening; but wind shear is the limiting factor that should prevent significant strengthening over the coming days. However, Tropical Depression Nine could become a tropical storm (either Hermine or Ian) within the next 24 hours. In terms of direction, we're expecting an upper trough to steer the system northeast later this week, pushing it into Florida before the weekend.

Keep in mind, there remains a level of uncertainty and the forecast could change. But as of now, we are not expecting any significant problems in Mississippi. In fact, as this system strengthens a bit, it will trigger slightly cooler and noticeably drier air to move south into Mississippi this weekend, giving us some much needed heat and humidity relief.  

We are also tracking Tropical Depression 8 located off the coast of North Carolina. This system could also become a tropical storm, casing heavy rain along the coast of North Carolina before turning NE and out to sea. Hurricane Gaston is well east of Cuba and is not a threat to land.

Lots going on; we'll keep you posted throughout the week!  

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 Weekend

Summer heat is here to stay for a while... After a wet stretch over the past several weeks, we are flipping back to a very hot and drier weather pattern. Patchy showers and storms will pop up each day, but the number of storms are decreasing, meaning you will have a lower chance of getting wet in the coming days. Temperature will run above average over the next week and likely longer. Highs reach the middle to upper 90s each day with heat induced over 100.

We continue to monitor a tropical disturbance centered between Cuba and the Bahamas, but the system is still unorganized today and is becoming less of a threat for any significant impacts for the U.S. 

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 

August Steam!

Summer heat rolls along with no end in sight... We are well above average today with temperatures in the middle 90s, heat indices over 100, along with widely scattered showers and storms. Mid Summer like conditions continues into the weekend and into next week; highs soar into the middle and upper 90s each day with morning lows in the 70s.

A tropical wave is centered near the Dominican Republic this afternoon; despite all the hype surrounding this system, it remains very unorganized with marginally favorable conditions for development over the next couple days. IF it does survive over the next 48 hours, further organization and development is certainly a possibility. But at this point, that is a big "IF". As always, we'll keep you posted! 

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 & Humid; Tropical Update

Mid Summer-like heat and humidity ahead... A Heat Advisory continues in the Delta where afternoon heat indices will run between 105 and 110 through the end of this week. For the rest of us, highs run above average with temperatures in the middle 90s and heat indices between 100 and 105 along with hit and miss showers and storms. No real change through the weekend; fortunately, humidity levels will back down slightly, but still very hot.

In the tropics, we're tracking a wave located near Puerto Rico. This system could become a tropical storm within the next couple days as it tracks northwest. If the system hold together, it will likely impact the the Florida Peninsula late this weekend or early next week. It is simply too early to determine exact intensity and exact track. Bottom line, no reason for alarm along the Gulf Coast as of now, but certainly something that bears watching over the coming days into next week. We'll keep you posted! 

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 

Summer Steam; Tropical Update

Summer heat continues with no end in sight... We're running above average today with temperatures in the middle 90s, along with scattered storms. Highs reach the middle to upper 90s each day through the weekend with heat indices over 100 at times.

Tropical Storm Gaston has formed in the Atlantic, but is no threat to land. We are also watching a wave approaching the Caribbean that could impact the U.S. next week IF it holds together. The system is encountering wind shear; if it survives conditions become more favorable later this week. We'll keep you posted over the coming days.

  

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 

Heat Increasing

Slightly drier air is moving into the north half of Mississippi, but around here we remain hot and humid. Highs reach the low 90s this afternoon along with another round of hit and miss storms. Temperatures soar into the middle 90s through the end of this week as the coverage of storms decreases.

In the tropics, we are watching two systems in the Atlantic. One has a high chance of soon becoming a tropical cyclone. The storm located farther west is less organized and conditions for strengthening are not as favorable. Both systems bear watching and we'll keep you posted over the coming days.

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 

Showers & Storms

Our wet and unsettled weather continues with another round of storms this afternoon. Expect passing showers and storms into this evening, which will impact some of the high school football games. As always, please go indoors or sit in your car whenever you hear thunder.

The coverage of storms decreases a bit Saturday, followed by a better chance Sunday as a weak cold front arrives. The front will deliver slightly drier air, helping to lower humidity levels.

In the tropics, Fiona remains a tropical storm, but will weaken over the weekend as it turns north. As promised, Fiona will turn north well before reaching the U.S.

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

 

Warm & Muggy; Scattered Storms

A hot August day with temperatures near 90, high humidity, along with another round of scattered storms. Same as previous days, storms are producing gusty wind, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. 

DROUGHT UPDATE: Some good news for the southern half of Mississippi; as you can imagine, drought conditions have significantly improved; however, East and North Mississippi remain below average. 

WEEKEND: No real change in our pattern through the weekend, although the number of storms will decrease Saturday. Otherwise, highs will run near average both days with afternoon temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s. 

TROPICS: Fiona remains a tropical storm, but we are confident the system will turn north well before reaching the U.S.

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