MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Mild & Quiet Friday; Warmer Day To Return Soon

FRIDAY: With a stalled boundary to the south, our weather pattern will continue to stay a bit unsettled to round out the work week. Variably cloudy will be expected skies through the afternoon. Highs will begin to rebound to the lower to middle 80s. A few afternoon showers are possible, but the coverage will remain low. Lows will be more reminiscent of late September with lows in the 60s.  
 
WEEKEND OUTLOOK: The front will slow the washout through the weekend – this will keep chances for showers in the forecast at times amid variably cloudy skies. Highs will run in the 80s through the weekend with dry periods to have outdoor events for the weekend. Lows will be in the 60s, trending toward the lower 70s.  
 
EXTENDED RANGE:  An influx of moisture as winds switch to the southeast Monday will help to bring up rain chances – along with a fledgling front to our northeast. High pressure will eventually muscles its way westward, bringing rain chances down and temperatures will run into the upper 80s to near 90°. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Clouds Hold Thursday; Trending Warmer Through Weekend

THURSDAY: The front will stall nearby through the day keeping our weather unsettled – expect variably cloudy skies. Rain chances will be a bit lower compared to Wednesday. Expect a north breeze with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s amid a northerly breeze.  
 
FRIDAY: With a stalled boundary to the south, our weather pattern will continue to stay a bit unsettled to round out the work week. Expect a morning round of fog leading to partly sunny to variably cloudy skies through the afternoon. Highs will begin to rebound to the lower to middle 80s. A few afternoon showers are possible, but the coverage will remain low. Lows will be more reminiscent of late September with lows in the 60s. 
 
EXTENDED RANGE:  Eventually, the warmer air will win out as a subtropical ridge begins to build over the southeast through the upcoming weekend. Rain chances will run in the 30-40% range as temperatures recover – likely pushing into the upper 80s to near 90° through the weekend and next week. 

Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Heavy Downpours At Times Wednesday

WEDNESDAY: A cold front will slip south throughout the day, bringing an uptick in rain chances, especially by mid-day and through the afternoon and evening hours. Expect mostly cloudy skies with highs in the 80s; lower to middle 80s north, middle and upper 80s south. Rainfall amounts could total1-2" by early Thursday morning.  
 
THURSDAY: The front that will push south Wednesday will stall and fizzle near the Gulf Coast through the day – expect partly sunny to variably cloudy skies with a chance for downpours at times, but rain chances will be a bit lower compared to Wednesday. Expect a north breeze with highs in the lower to middle 80s.  
 
EXTENDED RANGE:  Eventually, the warmer air will win out as a subtropical ridge begins to build over the southeast through the upcoming weekend. Rain chances will taper a bit, but temperatures will recover – likely pushing into the upper 80s to near 90° by the weekend and next week.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Unsettled Days To Continue This Week

TUESDAY: With a southerly flow and stalled front nearby, our weather pattern remains unsettled today with variably cloudy skies and scattered to numerous storms, especially by the afternoon and evening. Highs will still manage to work into the upper 80s to lower 90s. Rain chances will remain elevated past sunset as lows drop into the 70s. 
 
WEDNESDAY: The nearly-stalled front will sag a bit farther south Wednesday, bisecting the area – keeping rain chances elevated and causing a spread in temperatures – running in the lower to middle 80s north; middle and upper 80s south.  
 
EXTENDED RANGE: Our stalled front will knock temperatures down a few pegs for Thursday with a continuation of variably cloudy skies and scattered downpours at times. Eventually, the warmer air will win out as a subtropical ridge begins to build over the southeast through the upcoming weekend. Rain chances will taper a bit, but temperatures will recover – likely pushing into the upper 80s to near 90° by the weekend and next week. 

Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Rain, Storms Increasing

Showers and storms increase later this afternoon and evening, producing heavy downpours with the potential for isolated flash flooding. Otherwise, warm and humid with highs in the upper 80s under a mix of sun and clouds. This pattern continues into next week, featuring scattered showers and storms with highs in the upper 80s to near 90.

A change to cooler weather is possible by early October; still too early to get specific, but forecast confidence will increase in the coming days.

Michael Haynes

Summer Heat Begins To Ease

FRIDAY: As high pressure begins to move farther east, expect rain chances to increase a bit through the latter parts of your day. Outside of that, expect a mix of sunshine and clouds with highs in the lower to middle 90s. Overnight, a few evening storms will fizzle quickly as lows drop into the 70s. 
 
WEEKEND PLANNER: As we roll into the upcoming weekend, expect an approaching and stalling front to the north will bring more scattered downpours into the fold. Highs both day amid a partly sunny sky with be in the upper 80s to around 90°. Neither day features a complete washout, but be ready to dodge raindrops if you have any outdoor plans.  
 
NEXT WEEK: Our pattern turns more unsettled as the stalled front to the north begins to waver a little closer to the region; spreading the chances for showers and storms across the region. Expect partly sunny to variably cloudy sky with highs easing down through the upper 80s. The front will eventually move through the region by the end of the week, likely to bring more seasonable temperatures to round out the month.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Heat Eases Off The Gas Next Week

THURSDAY: The heat will still crank through the late parts of the work week – expect highs in the lower to middle 90s after starting in the 70s. Mostly to partly sunny skies will help the cause, though moisture will begin to flow back into the region, leading to few afternoon downpours. Any showers that do develop will fizzle after sunset – lows in the lower 70s.  
 
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: High pressure will continue to lose its grip over the region – this will lead to a few more downpours by Friday afternoon and evening. Expect highs to still manage the lower 90s to round out the work week. An approaching and stalling front to the north will bring more scattered downpours into the fold into the weekend. Highs both day amid a partly sunny sky with be in the upper 80s to around 90°. 
 
NEXT WEEK: Our pattern turns more unsettled as the stalled front to the north begins to waver a little closer to the region; spreading the chances for showers and storms across the region. Expect partly sunny to variably cloudy sky with highs easing down through the upper 80s. The front will eventually move through the region by the end of the week, likely to bring more seasonable temperatures to round out the month.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Heat Hits Its Stride Wednesday

WEDNESDAY: With high pressure holding over the area, rain chances will likely remain slim today. Expect another day of highs in the middle 90s amid a mainly to mostly sunny sky, feels like temperatures pushing past 100° as we reach the pinnacle of the heat wave. Tonight, we’ll drop into the lower to middle 70s under a star-filled sky. 
 
THURSDAY: High pressure will slowly begin to move away from the region – but still will hold nearby to keep the weather quiet for Thursday. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies, highs will push toward the lower to middle 90s again. A shower or two can’t be ruled out, but most will remain dry. 
 
EXTENDED RANGE: High pressure will begin to break down and head east through the end of the week. Temperatures will ease slightly, but stay above normal as we approach the Fall season. Expect highs in the lower 90s with partly cloudy skies. Showers and storms will pick a bit in coverage through the weekend and into early next week, though coverage remains scattered at best most days. This will be as a front stalls to the northwest, pulling moisture northward out of the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Summer Heat To Continue This Week

MONDAY: Expect a quiet start to your work week – mostly to partly sunny skies will get you through the day with a chance for a few hit and miss storms, mainly south of I-20. Highs will be toasty, in the lower to middle 90s; while feels like temperatures will push 98-103°. Overnight, lows will fall to the lower to middle 70s under mostly clear skies.  
 
TUESDAY: More of the same – highs in the lower to middle 90s amid a mostly to partly sunny sky. A few more afternoon downpours could be on the radar, but still more people than not, will be dry.  
 
EXTENDED RANGE: As we approach the Fall season on the calendar, the weather pattern will not let Summer go just yet. Expect a few hit and miss storms each day as high pressure will stay nearby through the end of the week. Highs will generally run in the lower 90s under a mostly to partly sunny sky. By week’s end, rain chances will increase a bit, including for Friday – which will likely feature the highest chance within the next 7 days. No day stands out to be a washout though, just remaining hot and muggy.  
 
TROPICS: The remnants of Florence will continue to make progress away from the flood-stricken Carolinas toward the New England states over the coming days; but while the rains will end, the run-off will likely cause even more flooding, likely catastrophic, through the coming weeks as rivers continue to rise. Joyce will continue to move toward the NE and stay far away from the United States, while the remnants of Isaac will be watched through the next few days for possible regeneration in the Caribbean. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Summer Heat Returns; Florence Approaches Carolinas

THURSDAY: Outside of a few foggy patches, expect a quiet morning across the region. Partly cloudy skies will push temperatures near seasonable norms in the upper 80s and lower 90s. By afternoon, a few showers and storms will be possible. Lows will drop to the lower to middle 70s.  
 
FRIDAY: Once again, a few foggy patches may greet you out the door – but quickly transitioning to a mix of sun and clouds with a chance for a few afternoon storms. Highs will top out in the lower 90s. Many will stay dry for Friday night plans, but an isolated storm could sneak early in the evening.  
 
WEEKEND AND BEYOND: High pressure will build over the region on the western side Florence’s circulation. This will allow our weather pattern to stay quiet and mainly dry. Temperatures will stay a bit above normal for this time of the year, in the lower 90s. As far as rain chances go, expect near-zero rain chances Sunday through Tuesday. A few pop-up downpours possible by Wednesday.  
 
TROPICS: Hurricane Florence will continue to steam westward with its sights set on the Carolina coastline by Thursday evening. Wind, rain and surge all likely along the North Carolina coast before the storm stalls and turns south toward South Carolina. Isaac continues to move westward toward the Windward Islands and Helene continues to weaken as it turns northward out to sea. Subtropical Storm Joyce will meander out in the Atlantic. A disturbance in the southern Gulf may have a chance to develop before moving onshore in NE Mexico and southern Texas. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx