FRIDAY: Morning clouds will give way to prevalent sunshine to round out your work and school week. Highs will rebound to the lower and middle 60s, still well below average nearing the end of October. Lows will dip into the upper 30s and lower 40s.
WEEKEND PLANNER: Heading into the weekend, expect mostly sunny skies through Halloween Saturday and Sunday as highs climb back into the upper 60s. This weekend also features the time change, falling back one-hour Saturday night – putting that hour on the front end of the day. Sunset Saturday evening is at 6:10 PM; Sunday night – 5:10 PM.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Another push of cooler air will take highs into the upper 50s and lower 60s again by Monday in the wake of another front moving through. Even with that, expect skies to remain bright and quiet into early next week, including for Election Day Tuesday – highs running in the 60s, lower 70s to return by mid-week.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
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October 2020
October 30, 2020
October 29, 2020
Cooler, Windy in the Wake of Zeta, Strong Front
THURSDAY: Sunshine will emerge in the wake of the front, but we’ll remain with remain air temperatures in the 50s and lower 60s all day amid a brisk west/northwest wind. Gusts today could be between 25-35 mph in the wake of the front. Clouds may thicken during day north of I-20 as the upper low swing over the area. We’ll be variably cloudy overnight with lows in the 40s.
FRIDAY: The overnight clouds north of I-20 may be stubborn to exit early Friday morning, expect them to break for sunshine. Sunshine will be prevalent for southern areas that remained clear. Highs will rebound to the lower and middle 60s, still well below average nearing the end of October. Lows will dip into the upper 30s and lower 40s, possible yield some spots their first frost potential of the season.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Heading into the weekend, expect mostly sunny skies through Halloween Saturday and Sunday as highs climb back into the upper 60s. This weekend also features the time change, falling back one-hour Saturday night – putting that hour on the front end of the day. Sunset Saturday evening is at 6:10 PM; Sunday night – 5:10 PM. Another push of cooler air will take highs into the upper 50s and lower 60s again by Monday, but remaining bright and quiet into early next week, including for Election Day Tuesday – highs running in the 60s, lower 70s to return by mid-week.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
October 28, 2020
ALERT DAY: Zeta, Strong Front Approaches Mississippi
WEDNESDAY: With a warm front draped over the area – rain will continue to be a factor, especially early in the day. Scattered downpours will be possible through the day with temperatures running in the 70s and 80; feels like temps could deeper in the 80s. Rain chances increase again, along with the breezes as the front approaches from the west and Zeta nears from the south. Lows will drop into the 50s and 60s.
TRACKING ZETA: Zeta has regrouped itself in the Gulf ahead of making a landfall in southeast Louisiana by the latter part of the day, possibly as a category 2 hurricane. The approaching upper trough will help to shift Zeta farther to east – taking its core impacts along with it through south Mississippi and into Alabama through Wednesday evening into early Thursday. Locally, a few tropical rain bands could affect Pike, Walthall, Lawrence, Jeff Davis, Covington and Smith counties featuring tropical storm force gusts and periods of heavy rain this evening. The strong front will push everything quickly east and out of the region by sunrise Thursday.
Patrick Ellis
October 27, 2020
Strong Front, Zeta Impacts Mississippi Mid-Week
TUESDAY: Clouds will lead to rain showers developing by the latter half of the afternoon after topping out in the 70s and 80s. Into Tuesday night as Zeta edges closer to the region. Rainy periods will continue overnight with lows in the 60s to lower 70s.
WEDNESDAY: With a warm front draped over the area – rain will continue to be a factor, especially early in the day. Scattered to numerous downpours will continue through the day with temperatures running in the 70s and 80s. Expect clouds to hang on tough through the day. Overnight – rain and wind potential increases as a front moves in from the west and Zeta approaches the northern Gulf Coast.
TRACKING ZETA: Hurricane Zeta continues made a landfall in the Yucatan late Monday night. The storm is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico with some gradually strengthening through Tuesday as it begins to accelerate quickly into Wednesday as it begins to feel influence from an approaching trough. The storm is expected to be a hurricane at landfall, likely, in southeast Louisiana and quickly being pushed eastward, thanks to the trough.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Even with Zeta on approach to the northern Gulf, the approaching trough from the west will bring rain opportunities into Wednesday and early Thursday before exiting. In its wake, we trend cooler and quieter into the end of the week. Highs will be in the 60s Friday and Saturday; upper 60s and lower 70s Sunday and into early next week.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
October 26, 2020
Milder Monday; Potential Impacts From Zeta Mid-Week
MONDAY: Clouds will break for sunny breaks through mid-late morning as temperatures warm up to the middle to upper 70s – which will be near average for late October. We’ll remain quiet and partly clear overnight with lows in the upper 50s and lower 60s.
TUESDAY: After a quiet start, we’ll see clouds increasing across the region with highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Clouds will lead to rain showers developing by the latter half of the afternoon and into Tuesday night as Zeta edges closer to the region. Rainy periods will continue overnight with lows in the 60s to lower 70s.
TRACKING ZETA: Tropical Storm Zeta continues to gather strength in the NW Caribbean – likely to become a hurricane, the 11th of the season, later today as it approaches the Yucatan. The storm is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico and gradually strengthening through Tuesday as it begins to accelerate quickly into Wednesday as it begins to feel influence from an approaching trough. The storm could be a hurricane at landfall along the northern Gulf Coast – and depending on the track, it will determine our local impacts of rain and wind.
EXTENDED FORECAST: Even with Zeta on approach to the northern Gulf, the approaching trough from the west will bring rain opportunities into Wednesday and early Thursday before exiting. In its wake, we trend cooler and quieter into the end of the week. Highs will be in the 60s Friday and Saturday; sneaking back into the lower 70s Sunday.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
October 23, 2020
Warm, Muggy Friday Ahead of Storm Risk
FRIDAY: Even with a front on final approach to the region – overall, the weather doesn’t look horrible to round out the week. Expect a mix of clouds and sun with widely spaced, mainly afternoon and evening storm chances developing. Highs will still work their way into the lower to middle 80s. Scattered showers, storms will continue at times overnight with lows in the 60s.
WEEKEND PLANNER: In the wake of the front, clouds will hang tough through Saturday with temperatures trying to claw their way back into the 60s and 70s. A stray shower can’t be ruled out early Saturday. Clouds will hang around for the start of Sunday before breaking for partial clearing amid highs near 80.
EXTENDED FORECAST: A push of warmer air will get highs into the lower to middle 80s by Monday amid a mix of sun and clouds. Another system is poised to move into the region at some point next week – that could bring a risk for scattered storms, mainly Wednesday and Thursday amid highs in the 70s. Skies will gradually clear through Friday amid cooler air filtering into the region in time for Halloween.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
October 22, 2020
Warm Thursday, Friday Ahead of Next Front
THURSDAY: A few patches of fog will be possible to kick off your Thursday across the region – expect a mix of sun and clouds as winds turn out of the southeast. Highs will top out in the middle 80s again – though, a stray shower or storm can’t be ruled out late in the day. Expect lows in the middle to upper 60s with partly cloudy skies.
FRIDAY: Even with a front on final approach to the region – overall, the weather doesn’t look horrible to round out the week. Expect a mix of clouds and sun with widely spaced, mainly afternoon and evening storm chances developing. Highs will still work their way into the lower to middle 80s. Scattered showers, storms will continue at times overnight with lows in the 60s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: In the wake of the front, expect clouds with a few sunny breaks during the afternoon Saturday - highs will top out in the 70s. A shower or two will be possible early Saturday, but generally remaining dry. Sunday features mostly to partly sunny skies with highs in the middle 80s. Another front is poised to move into the region at some point next week – that could bring a risk for scattered storms and potential cool down by mid-late week. We’ll keep an eye out on that potential.
TROPICS: Hurricane Epsilon has begun its move northwest – closing near Bermuda by the end of the week. Tropical storm conditions turn likely along the island nation by Thursday – though the core of the storm stays to the east. Rip current and surf issues could be felt farther away – from the Bahamas to the Greater and Lesser Antilles – eventually along the eastern seaboard over the next few days.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
October 21, 2020
Late Summery Warmth Continues
WEDNESDAY: Expect mostly sunny skies to prevail once again as temperatures continue to warm from the morning 60s in the middle to, a few, upper 80s by afternoon. Feels like temperatures will run closer to 90°. A carbon copy of the past few nights – clear to partly clear skies amid patchy fog with lows in the 60s.
THURSDAY: More patches of fog will be possible to kick off your Thursday across the region – expect a mix of sun and clouds as winds turn out of the southeast. Highs will top out in the middle 80s again – though, a stray shower can’t be ruled out late in the day in southwest Mississippi.
EXTENDED FORECAST: A weak front will sweep through by Friday – offering a better chance for scattered storms and a slight cool down into the weekend – taking highs back to the upper 70s and lower 80s. Another front is poised to move into the region at some point next week – that could bring a risk for a few stronger storms. We’ll keep an eye out on that potential.
TROPICS: Hurricane Epsilon has begun its move northwest – closing near Bermuda by the end of the week. Tropical storm conditions turn likely along the island nation by Thursday – though the core of the storm stays to the east. Rip current and surf issues could be felt farther away – from the Bahamas to the Greater and Lesser Antilles – eventually along the eastern seaboard over the next few days.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
October 20, 2020
Late Summer Warmth in Late October
TUESDAY: Sunshine will mix with a few clouds as high pressure continues to move farther east – flowing in moisture over the region. Expect the muggier air – amid a mainly dry rule, to make highs creep upward into middle 80s. Lows will dip into the lower to middle 60s with mostly clear skies with areas of patchy fog possible.
WEDNESDAY: A few more patches of fog will be possible as you start off your Wednesday morning across central and southwest Mississippi. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies to prevail once again as temperatures continue to warm from the morning 60s in the middle 80s by afternoon.
EXTENDED FORECAST: An easterly to southeasterly breeze will flow in moisture that could spark a stray shower or two by the afternoon hours of Thursday. Outside of that, expect a mix of clouds and sun with highs in the middle 80s. A weak front will sweep through by Friday – offering a better chance for scattered storms and a slight cool down into the weekend – taking highs back to the upper 70s and lower 80s. Another front is poised to move into the region at some point next week – that could bring a risk for a few stronger storms. We’ll keep an eye out on that potential.
TROPICS: Tropical Storm Epsilon is now beginning to turn toward the northwest - while remaining southeast of Bermuda. The storm is expected to gradually strengthen to hurricane status through the next few days as it makes a close pass to Bermuda by the end of the week. In the southwest Caribbean, an area of disturbed weather has a low chance of development in the next several days, but the area should be monitor over the next week or so for the possibility of development – but nothing to worry about at this point.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
October 19, 2020
Late October Warm-Up Commences
MONDAY: Expect skies to become mostly sunny skies through mid-day with highs getting into the lower to middle 80s. Lows will drop back into the lower to middle 60s - amid a chance for patchy fog to develop once again by early Tuesday morning.
TUESDAY: Sunshine will mix some clouds through the day as high pressure continues to move farther east – flowing in moisture over the region. Expect the muggier air – amid a mainly dry rule, to make highs creep upward into middle 80s.
TROPICS: Tropical Storm Epsilon formed in the central Atlantic this morning - it will meander in the Atlantic, southeast of Bermuda and won’t pose a threat to the US. It has a chance to strengthen over the next few days, possibly to hurricane status by the end of the week. In the southwest Caribbean, an area of disturbed weather has a low chance of development in the next several days, but the area should be monitor over the next week or so for the possibility of development – but nothing to worry about at this point.