MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Storms, A Few Strong, Possible New Year's Eve

NEW YEARS EVE: Rounding out 2018 with a bang, a line of showers and storms will be likely to push across the region through the late morning into the afternoon hours. A few of the storms could be strong or severe; main threat being strong winds but an isolated, spin-up tornado can’t be ruled out. Ahead of the storms, highs will top out in the 70s amid a breezy southerly wind. Overnight, clouds will hang around though we should be dry heading toward midnight as lows drop into the 40s to lower 50s.  
 
NEW YEARS DAY: Starting 2019 off fairly quietly; expect variably to mostly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s. A stray shower or two can’t be ruled out, but most of the day should be dry.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Yet another front stalled near the Gulf Coast will help to spread rain across the region by Wednesday and the approach of an upper disturbance will help to bring more rain and storms Thursday. Highs both days will be chilly, in the 50s. As the low lifts out, skies slowly clear Friday, more so into the weekend as highs rebound into the 60s by then.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist  
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Cool and Damp

Mostly cloudy and cool this morning along with areas of dense fog and occasional showers; it will not ran all day, but plan on hit and miss showers throughout the day. Otherwise, highs hold in the low to middle 60s. A line of heavier rain and strong storms arrives New Year's Eve. A few storms will have the potential for damaging straight line wind, and we can't rule out the possibility for a brief tornado, mainly in South Mississippi. The main time frame for the stronger storms is mid-morning through mid-afternoon.

Colder air arrives as the new year begins; temperatures will struggle to reach 50 Wednesday and Thursday.

Michael Haynes

ALERT DAY: Strong Storms Possible Thursday

ALERT DAY THURSDAY: Showers and storms become likely through the latter part of the morning as a strong front pushes into the area. A few of storms could be strong to severe – main threats coming from heavy rainfall and strong winds, even outside of any storms. A brief, spin-up tornado can’t be ruled out. The primary timeline look to be between 11 AM – 8 PM Thursday. Rainfall totals could end up around 2-4" with locally heavier amounts. 
 
FRIDAY: The bulk of the rain will come to an end by mid-morning – with clouds clearing for the afternoon period. Highs will be in the 60s a lighter northwest wind. Clouds will begin to thicken up again overnight with a chance for a few showers by early Saturday morning.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: The front that brings the potential of strong storms Thursday will stall nearby, keeping periods of rain and cloudiness in place into the weekend. Temperatures will dip into the 50s Saturday; warmer air sneaks back into the area through Sunday and Monday, pushing highs into the 60s amid rain and storm chances. Rain chances will taper a bit into Tuesday, the first day of 2019 with cooler temperatures, in  the 50s again.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist  
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Warm Wednesday; Storms, A Few Strong, Possible Thursday

WEDNESDAY: For those traveling or having to stand in the return lines at local stores, expect partly to variably cloudy skies with occasional showers possible, yet again, not a washout. Highs will be in the middle to upper 60s. Rain chances will begin to increase overnight ahead of our next weather maker, due into the area Thursday. 
 
THURSDAY: Showers and storms become likely through the latter part of the morning as a strong front pushes into the area. A few of storms could be strong to severe – main threats coming from heavy rainfall and strong winds. A brief, spin-up tornado can’t be ruled out. The primary timeline look to be between 11 AM – 6 PM Thursday.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Shower chances will diminish a bit through Friday as temperatures stay mild, in the upper 60s, on Friday. The front that brings the potential of strong storms Thursday will stall nearby, keeping periods of rain and cloudiness in place into the weekend. Temperatures will dip into the upper 50s to near 60° Saturday; into the 50s for Sunday and heading into the beginning of the new year.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist  
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Seasonable Christmas Eve; Few Showers Christmas Day

CHRISTMAS EVE: A quiet start to the week with mostly to partly sunny skies – great for procrastinators of Christmas gifts and last-minute travelers across the region. Expect highs to be seasonable, in the upper 50s and lower 60s. As Santa makes his rounds over central Mississippi – he should have no issues – partly cloudy skies with lows in the 40s.

CHRISTMAS DAY: Clouds will thicken a bit – eventually leading up to the chance for a few showers for Tuesday. A washout, this will not be, but don’t be surprised at seeing a few raindrops. Highs will be mild, in the lower and middle 60s.

EXTENDED FORECAST: Our next weather maker will begin to make its presence known through late Wednesday, as more scattered showers begin to develop. Warm 60s will persist into Thursday as storm chances increase – of few of which could be strong. Behind the front, expect a slow trend downward back to the lower 60s by Friday with lingering showers and more rain possible by the weekend.

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

Slow Clearing Friday; Mild Weekend Ahead

FRIDAY: Clouds will hold firm throughout much of the day – a shower or two can’t be ruled out early in the day. The majority of the day will be dry with highs only managing the 40s amid a brisk northwest breeze. Clouds will clear from southwest to northeast late in the day. We’ll gradually clear overnight as lows dip into the lower to middle 30s. 

WEEKEND PLANNER: High pressure will sneak into the region for Saturday – offering sunshine throughout much of the day. After starting the day near freezing, expect highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s. A front will approach the region, bringing a chance of showers by Sunday. Ahead of the front, highs will manage the lower to middle 60s.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: A front near along the Gulf Coast will stall out – that will keep clouds around, at times, through early next week – including for Christmas Eve and Day; temperatures will be in the 60s with a chance of a shower or two both days. Rain chances will increase by the middle and latter portions of the week.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist  
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Dreary, Turning Blustery Thursday

THURSDAY: Grab the umbrellas as you head out the door as rain will be possible at times through your Thursday! Expect mainly cloudy skies with highs in the 50s amid periods of rain. Winds will pick up through the afternoon hours as the low pushes north of the region. Rain will taper late Thursday night under mainly cloudy skies. Lows will drop to near 40°. 
 
FRIDAY: Clouds will hold firm throughout much of the day – a shower or two can’t be ruled out early in the day. The majority of the day will be dry with highs only managing the 40s amid a brisk northwest breeze. Clouds will clear from southwest to northeast late in the day. We’ll gradually clear overnight as lows dip into the lower to middle 30s. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: High pressure will sneak into the region through Saturday, bringing sunshine and mild temperatures in the 60s to start the weekend off. A front will edge into area by Sunday, allowing for a few showers to sneak in by the afternoon. We’ll still manage the 60s. Clouds will hang around, at times, through early next week – including for Christmas Eve and Day; temperatures will be in the 60s with a chance of a shower or two both days. Rain chances will increase by the middle and latter portions of the week.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist  
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Clouds, Showers Increase Wednesday

WEDNESDAY: Clouds will increase across the area through the day, eventually leading to scattered showers by the afternoon. Temperatures will try to work their way into the upper 50s and lower 60s. Rain chances will continue to increase through the overnight hours.  
 
THURSDAY: Grab the umbrellas as you head out the door as rain will be possible at times through your Thursday! Expect mainly cloudy skies with highs in the 50s amid periods of rain. Winds will pick up through the afternoon hours as the low pushes north of the region. Rain will taper through Thursday night under mainly cloudy skies. Lows will drop to near 40°. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST:  Skies will gradually clear through Friday as highs top near 50°. The upcoming weekend looks quiet with the exception of a few showers by Sunday. Highs will top out in the lower 60s; lower to middle 60s possible by Christmas Eve; middle 60s for Christmas Day. 

 

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

Foggy Banks Early; Sunshine Tuesday Afternoon

TUESDAY: Zones of fog may greet you heading out the door the start off. Gradually, the fog should lift – trending to mostly to partly sunny skies. We’ll start off in the upper 30as and lower 40s; a mix of sun and clouds will push highs into the lower to middle 60s.  
 
WEDNESDAY: Clouds will increase across the area through the day, eventually leading to scattered showers by the afternoon. Temperatures will try to work their way into the upper 50s and lower 60s. Rain chances will continue to increase through the overnight hours.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST:  A lumbering low pressure system will keep the weather unsettled into Thursday. Expect a decent scattering of showers through this time, rainfall totals will likely stay below ½". Highs will top out in the middle 50s Thursday; near 50° on Friday as rain showers exit and clouds shift eastward out of the area. The upcoming weekend looks quiet with the exception of a few showers by Sunday. Highs will top out in the lower 60s; lower to middle 60s possible by Christmas Eve.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist  
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Foggy Banks Early; Sunshine Tuesday Afternoon

TUESDAY: Zones of fog may greet you heading out the door the start off. Gradually, the fog should lift – trending to mostly to partly sunny skies. We’ll start off in the upper 30as and lower 40s; a mix of sun and clouds will push highs into the lower to middle 60s.  
 
WEDNESDAY: Clouds will increase across the area through the day, eventually leading to scattered showers by the afternoon. Temperatures will try to work their way into the upper 50s and lower 60s. Rain chances will continue to increase through the overnight hours.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST:  A lumbering low pressure system will keep the weather unsettled into Thursday. Expect a decent scattering of showers through this time, rainfall totals will likely stay below ½". Highs will top out in the middle 50s Thursday; near 50° on Friday as rain showers exit and clouds shift eastward out of the area. The upcoming weekend looks quiet with the exception of a few showers by Sunday. Highs will top out in the lower 60s; lower to middle 60s possible by Christmas Eve.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist  
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx