MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Pleasant Easter

Clear and cool to start the Easter Weekend. Temperatures are running in the 40s early this morning. Warming quickly throughout the day with highs in the middle 70s along with lots of sunshine.

For Easter, some clouds return, but we remain dry. Otherwise warmer with highs in the upper 70s to near 80.

Our next storm system arrives Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday morning, bringing a round of rain and storms; some strong storms are possible, but as of now the severe threat is low.

Michael Haynes

Quiet Easter Weekend Ahead

FRIDAY: A much drier situation comparative to what we dealt with on Thursday. A few patches of fog and low clouds will be possible to start the day – other than that, mostly to partly sunny skies will take highs to seasonable levels in the upper 60s and lower 70s. Overnight, clear skies will allow for lows to dip into the 40s.  


EASTER WEEKEND: High pressure will nose its way into the area through the weekend, keeping the weather mainly tranquil. After morning lows in the 40s on Saturday, sunshine should push high in the middle and upper 70s by the afternoon. A weak boundary will attempt to drop into the state Sunday – but should remain north of our area. Expect Easter Sunday to feature mostly sunny skies with morning temperatures in the 50s, warming to near 80° by the afternoon.  
 
NEXT WEEK: Monday will stay quiet amid warm highs in the lower 80s. Our next storm system begins to move closer to the area by late Tuesday through Wednesday; bringing up the chances for showers and storms again. Highs Tuesday will still manage the lower 80s before giving way to 60s by Wednesday. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

More Storms Thursday; Quieter For Easter Weekend

THURSDAY: The same front that brought strong and severe storms to the region Wednesday evening will still be in the mix through much of your Thursday – bringing periods of showers and storms through much of the day. Expect mainly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Severe weather threat will remain low locally. Heaviest activity will exit through the afternoon with some clearing overnight as lows dip into the upper 40s and lower 50s. 
 
FRIDAY: Morning clouds will give way to sunshine by the afternoon hours of your Friday. Behind our storm system, expect seasonable temperatures to round out the work week with highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s.  
 
EASTER WEEKEND: High pressure will nose its way into the area through the weekend, keeping the weather mainly tranquil. After morning lows in the 40s on Saturday, sunshine should push high in the middle and upper 70s by the afternoon. A weak boundary will attempt to drop into the state Sunday – but should remain north of our area. Expect Easter Sunday to feature a mix of sun and clouds with morning temperatures in the 50s, warming to near 80° by the afternoon.  
 
NEXT WEEK: Monday will stay quiet amid warm highs in the lower 80s. Our next storm system begins to move closer to the area by late Tuesday through Wednesday; bringing up the chances for showers and storms again. Highs Tuesday will still manage the lower 80s before giving way to 70s by Wednesday. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Storm Chances Increase Late Wednesday

WEDNESDAY: A storm system we’ve been tracking for the last several days will finally make its approach to central Mississippi. Expect mostly to variably cloudy skies with the option for scattered showers and storms through the day. Highs will top out in the 80s mainly amid an aggressive southerly wind. 


 
STRONG STORM THREAT: A wave of energy will push across the nearly stalled boundary by Wednesday evening through the overnight hours. This will bring the option for a few strong to severe storms to the region. Damaging wind gusts look to be the primary risk, but hail and spin-up tornadoes can’t be ruled out along with the possibility of localized flooding. Expect several waves of storms move through, possibly into the morning hours of Thursday. Stay weather aware during this time frame.  
 
LATE WEEK: Rain showers will taper through late Thursday with highs in the 60s and 70s. Expect a mix of clouds and sun for Friday with highs in the 60s and lower 70s.  
 
EASTER WEEKEND AND BEYOND: Things turn a bit more tranquil through the latter half of the week. Highs will be in the 70s with mostly to partly sunny skies heading into Easter weekend. As of now, we'll likely stay dry for Easter Sunday, though a few showers can't be ruled out north of I-20. Rain chances look to return through next week as our next system approaches us by late Tuesday. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Divisive Temperatures; Storms Return Late Wednesday

TUESDAY: With a frontal boundary draped over the state; expect another split in temperatures from the cooler east to the warmer west. Expect mostly to variably to cloudy skies with highs ranging from the lower to middle 70s east; to the middle 70s to near 80° west. Winds will get aggressive – between 15 – 25 mph from the east / southeast. Clouds hold firm overnight as we only fall into the 60s. 
 
MID-WEEK STORMS: A sluggish storm system will make progress to the east through Wednesday and Thursday – spreading rain and storms across the region. There is the possibility of a few strong storms amid a flooding threat as the system moves in through Wednesday and Thursday. For Wednesday – ahead of the storms, we'll manage to run temperatures up into the 80s; as the rain moves in, lower 70s will be the call for Thursday. Rainfall amounts could end up totaling 2-4" regionwide and could cause flooding concerns. 
 
EASTER WEEKEND: Things turn a bit more tranquil through the latter half of the week. Highs will be in the 70s with mostly to partly sunny skies heading into Easter weekend. As of now, we'll likely stay dry for sunrise services as well.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Nearby Front; Turning Stormy Midweek

MONDAY: Sandwiched between an area of high pressure to our east and a developing low to the west; expect southerly wind to flow in aggressively, bringing in warm, muggy air to the region. Highs will top out in the upper 70s and lower 80s with variably to mostly cloudy skies. Clouds and breezes will keep temperatures elevated overnight, into the 60s.  
 
TUESDAY: Expect nearly a carbon copy of your Monday for Tuesday – though temperatures may be slightly cooler, mainly upper 70s to near 80°. Breezes will still flow in aggressively from the south.  
 
MID-WEEK STORMS: A sluggish storm system will make progress to the east through Wednesday and Thursday – spreading rain and storms across the region. There is the possibility of a few strong storms amid a flooding threat as the system moves in through Wednesday and Thursday. For Wednesday – ahead of the storms, we'll manage to run temperatures up into the 80s; as the rain moves in, lower 70s will be the call for Thursday. Rainfall amounts could end up totaling 2-5" regionwide. 
 
EASTER WEEKEND: Things turn a bit more tranquil through the latter half of the week. Highs will be in the 70s with mostly to partly sunny skies heading into Easter weekend. As of now, we'll likely stay dry for sunrise services as well.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Few Showers; Watching Midweek

Mostly cloudy today along with a few passing showers or a brief storm; the chance for rain at any given spot is low, but the potential is there. Also, anything that does develop will not last long. Otherwise, warming to the upper 70s.

Our next significant system arrives Wednesday into Thursday bringing the risk for heavy rain with flash flooding and strong to severe storms. We'll keep you posted over the coming days; we'll be able to get more specific on exact threats and timing within the next 24 hours.

Michael Haynes

Warm; Few Showers, Storms Possible

Hit and miss showers and a few storms develop today and Sunday. It will not rain all weekend by any means, however plan on the possibility for a passing shower/storm at any point. The chance for rain is slightly higher on Sunday, but even then, anything that develops will not last long. Otherwise, a mix of sun and clouds today then mostly cloudy Sunday with highs in the 70s to near 80 both days.

Rain and storms increase in coverage by the middle of next week, bringing the risk for flash flooding and strong to severe storms. Check back for updates over the coming days as forecast confidence increases.

Michael Haynes

Warm Weekend Ahead

FRIDAY: A milder start will give us a milder finish to round out the work week. Expect a mix of sun and high clouds. Highs will make moves into the middle and upper 70s as breezes start to flow in, a bit aggressively, from the south. Clouds will thicken overnight – lows will dip into the upper 50s and lower 60s. 
 
WEEKEND OUTLOOK: A weak front nearby will spark a chance for a few showers both Saturday and Sunday but overwhelming chances for rain look to stay absent through the weekend ahead. Expect highs to top out in the upper 70s and lower 80s; overnights in the lower 60s.  

TEMPERATURE DIVIDE: A nearly stationary front will bring a stark contrast in temperatures across the region by Sunday - south of the boundary, highs will top out in the upper 70s and lower 80s; north of the front, highs will run in the 60s and lower 70s. There is still some uncertainty on where the front will set up, but expect a divide across the state. 
 
INTO NEXT WEEK: A storm system brewing to the west will be slow to make progress toward central Mississippi. A few weak disturbances may kick off a few showers and storm Monday and Tuesday before the main front moves closer by late Wednesday into Thursday. Highs will still manage the upper 70s and lower 80s.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Quiet, Seasonable Thursday

THURSDAY: A chilly start in the upper 30s and lower 40s will give way – by way of sunshine – highs in the 60s to near 70° this afternoon. Winds will be light and variable as high pressure settles over the area. Overnight – a few extra clouds will stream in, keeping temperatures a bit warmer, in the 40s by early Friday.  
 
FRIDAY: A milder start will give us a milder finish to round out the work week. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies with highs making moves into the middle and upper 70s as breezes start to flow in from the south. 
 
WEEKEND OUTLOOK: A weak front nearby will spark a chance for a few showers both Saturday and Sunday but overwhelming chances for rain look to stay absent through the weekend ahead. Expect highs to top out in the lower 80s; overnights in the lower 60s.  
 
INTO NEXT WEEK: A storm system brewing to the west will be slow to make progress toward central Mississippi. A few weak disturbances may kick off a few showers and storm Monday and Tuesday before the main front moves closer by late Wednesday. Highs will still manage the upper 70s and lower 80s.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx