MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Warming Trend Continues

Mostly cloudy this morning along with a few showers. Some peaks of sunshine by afternoon with the possibility for a passing shower or a brief storm. Otherwise, the warming trend continues with highs in the middle 70s.

For Sunday, a mix of sun and clouds with afternoon temperatures in the 70s.

Spring officially begins Monday and it certainly will feel like it. Afternoon highs soar into the 80s for much of next week! A few scattered showers or storms are possible through midweek, but as of now, the better opportunity for rain will hold off until late in the week.

Michael Haynes

 

Few Showers Saturday; Warm Weekend Ahead

TONIGHT: Expect partly to variably cloudy skies  with temperatures dropping into the 50s to near 60 by early Saturday morning. We'll mention a stray shower or two just ahead of sunrise Saturday, though most of the night should be dry. 
 
SATURDAY: Clouds will start the day off with a few scattered showers as a frontal boundary drops into the region. The front will lose its forcing as it moves into central Mississippi; so showers will be spotty in nature and most should be out of the area by early afternoon. Highs  will still manage to work their way into the 70s with partially sunny skies returning by the end of the day.  



 
WARM UP AHEAD: Warmer air will continue to invade central Mississippi through Sunday and into next week. Expect a good deal of sunshine with highs trending from the 70s Sunday into the 80s by Monday and Tuesday. Another weak front will bring a chance for a few showers by Wednesday with highs in the 70s.  
 
LATE WEEK: Another quick turn-around in temperatures will takes us back into the 80s by Thursday ahead of our next storm system due into the region Friday that could bring a few strong storms to the region.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Gradual Warm-Up Ahead

WEDNESDAY: A chilly start with another chilly finish – at least today, sunshine will make it not feel too horrible, but a jacket will probably be needed throughout the day. Highs will top out near 50 along and north of I-20; lower to middle 50s south of I-20. Overnight, temperatures will quickly drop off into the 30s by early Thursday morning – leading to another frost / freeze potential.  
 
THURSDAY:  After a chilly start, we'll finish milder than the past few days. Clouds will stream through the skies through the day at times. Many spots will sneak to the lower 60s; a few in south Mississippi making a run for the middle 60s.  
 
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Temperatures will generally be on the rebound as we head toward St. Patrick's Day and the weekend ahead. Expect a mix of clouds and sun with highs in the lower to middle 70s Friday. A front will drop into the area through Saturday – bringing a chance for showers or storms – but not a complete washout. Skies will clear for Sunday – both days also featuring highs in the lower and middle 70s.  
 
NEXT WEEK: The Spring season officially kicks off at 5:29 a.m. Monday – and it will definitely feel more like the season we are heading into. Highs Monday and Tuesday will be in the upper 70s and lower 80s. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Chilly Showers Monday; Winter-Like Temps For Spring Break

MONDAY: A new storm system will drop southward, garnering enough moisture to spill in scattered showers through the late morning and afternoon hours of Monday. Highs will try to claw their way back into the 50s and 60s. The system exits with temperatures beginning to tank into the upper 30s and lower 40s by early Tuesday. 
 
TUESDAY: Behind our rain maker for Monday, sunshine will return – but expect it to be the cooler brand of sunshine we've come to get to know of the past several days. Highs will be in the middle and upper 50s – though with the higher March sun angle, it won't feel too terrible in the sunshine.  
 
FROST / FREEZE POTENTIAL: With the recent warm weather – you may have planted earlier than usual. This week is a reminder that we are still 7 days from the official start of the Spring season and a good 2 – 3 weeks away from the safety zone to plant. Wednesday and Thursday mornings could feature frosty spots; possibly a light freeze areas north of the metro. 
 
WARM UP NOT FAR OFF: With temperatures taking a play out of early Winter's playbook through much of the week, a warm-up will quickly emerge by St. Patrick's Day Friday with highs returning to the 70s. In the meantime; expect highs in the 50s, lows in the 30s through Thursday. The weekend will feature the 70s and a chance for rain late Friday into early Saturday.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Tale of Two Season; Big Weekend Changes

TONIGHT: Expect a quiet evening with clouds gradually increasing across the region after midnight; rain shower chances will stay minimal through much of the night. Lows will drop back into the 40s along and north of I-20; lower 50s south.  
 
SATURDAY: Clouds will thicken, leading to a chance for a few scattered showers through the day. Expect a wide variance in temperatures across the region; 50s/60s along and north of I-20; 60s/70s south of I-20. Shower chances will increase for all overnight; turning quite wet across the region – lows will drop off to the 40s for many, upper 30s for some.  
 
SUNDAY: Showers will come to an end early for most; but expect a much cooler day across the region, with highs only managing the 50s with a brisk northerly breeze under mostly cloudy skies.  
 
MONDAY: A second system will drop southward, garnering enough moisture to spill in some showers through the afternoon hours of Monday. Highs claw their way back into the 60s in most areas. The system exits with temperatures beginning to tank into the 30s by early Tuesday. 
 
NEXT WEEK: A reinforcing shot of cooler air will come for Tuesday and Wednesday; highs will top out in the upper 50s to near 60 with mostly to partly sunny skies. By Thursday and Friday, temperatures will begin to rebound a bit; back close to seasonable normals by Friday.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Quiet Wednesday; Turning Unsettled Into Weekend

REST OF WEDNESDAY: Expect a continuation of sunshine and light easterly breezes – temperatures will top out in the lower and middle 70s this afternoon. Clouds will gradually increase overnight with a small chance of a passing shower. Lows will drop to around 50.  
 
THURSDAY: We'll call it a mix of sun and clouds with the chance for a few spotty downpours from time to time – not a washout by any means. With the winds turning southerly, that will help to push highs into the middle and upper 70s.  
 
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: The forecast turns much more unsettled as we roll into the weekend. Expect the possibility for widely scattered showers and storms Friday with highs in the 70s. Better chances of storms comes on Saturday into the wee-hours of Sunday with a disturbance, passing us to the north. This may bring the chance for a few strong storms Saturday afternoon along and south of I-20 with cooler air in the 50s/60s north of I-20. Skies will clear amid cooler temperatures by Sunday. 
 
NEXT WEEK: The weather pattern will continue to stay a bit unsettled –  for now; expect highs in the 60s, lows in the 40s with partly to variably cloudy skies. But with the pattern staying uncertain – there will likely be changes in the extended range.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Tuesday Storms

Storms are increasing this afternoon in advance of cold front. The severe threat is minimal, but a few storms could be strong to severe due to the threat for large hail and gusty wind.

Storms ending from NW to SE this afternoon and early evening, then clearing and turning slightly cooler. Lows dip into the 40s Wednesday morning, then upper 60s and lows 70s by afternoon.

The pattern remains unsettled through the first half of this weekend. We're expecting additional rain/storms in here late Thursday night and Friday morning, then again on Saturday. 

Michael Haynes

Scattered Showers

Scattered showers return today as a disturbance move through. It will not rain all day, but be prepared to get wet any point. Otherwise, mostly cloudy with highs in the middle to upper 60s.

Warmer Monday along with occasional showers and storms; highs reach the upper 70s. Storms become more widespread Tuesday in advance of a cold front; a few storms could be strong, but the overall severe threat is minimal. Rain and storms end Tuesday afternoon and evening, then clearing but remaining warm.

Michael Haynes

Chilly Morning

Starting out chilly this morning with temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s. Lots of sunshine through noon, then turning partly cloudy this afternoon and evening; otherwise, pleasant with highs in the upper 60s.

Spotty showers return Sunday; we're not expecting an all day type of rain, but if you have outdoor plans, be prepared for a passing shower at any point. Storms increase in coverage late Monday night into Tuesday in advance of a cold front, followed by dry and pleasant weather for the second half of next week.

Michael Haynes

Tornado Watch until 6pm: North of I-20

    


   URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   Tornado Watch Number 57
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   1150 AM CST Wed Mar 1 2017

   The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

   * Tornado Watch for portions of 
     Northern and Central Alabama
     Northern Georgia
     Central and Northeast Mississippi
     Extreme Western North Carolina
     Southeast Tennessee

   * Effective this Wednesday morning and evening from 1150 AM until
     600 PM CST.

   * Primary threats include...
     A few tornadoes likely
     Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
       inches in diameter possible
     Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

   SUMMARY...Thunderstorms will slowly intensify this afternoon along a
   boundary extending from northern MS into southeast TN, and spread
   across the watch area.  Large hail and isolated tornadoes are the
   main threats with these storms.

   The tornado watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles
   north and south of a line from 40 miles southwest of Greenwood MS to
   65 miles east of Chattanooga TN. For a complete depiction of the
   watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

   PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

   REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
   tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
   area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
   threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements