MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Unsettled Days, Waves of Rain & Warmth Ahead

THURSDAY: The front will continue to push southward – still yielding a few showers through the morning hours south of I-20. Temperatures will still work their way back into the 60s and 70s the afternoon hours amid a variably to mostly cloudy sky. Rain, storm chances increase overnight as the front acts as a train track for a disturbance to ride along it. Lows will be in the 50s.  



FRIDAY: The front will continue to act as a train track for shower activity through the day. Temperatures will still work their way through the 60s amid the clouds and rain. Rain chances will tend to be highest for areas along and north of I-20, tending to fade into the afternoon hours. A few more, scattered, shower chances emerge into the overnight period. Lows will drop into the 50s.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Our unsettled weather pattern continues from late week until mid-next week over the Gulf States, keeping waves of rain pushing past the area on a daily basis. A front lifts back over the area as a warm front into the weekend, pushing highs in the 70s Saturday and Sunday. The bulk of the rain will push north of the region, but random opportunities for rain will exist. A cold front will push through Monday ushering a cool down into mid-next week, but will keep rain chances through Wednesday, before drying out.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Warm, Breezy Wednesday; Unsettled Days Ahead

WEDNESDAY: Sunshine will shine bright once again to, at least, start the day off. Expect highs in the lower and middle 70s through the afternoon with clouds increase from the west amid breezy southwest flow. Scattered showers return through Wednesday night as a front slips southward over the state. Lows will drop into the upper 40s and lower 50s. 


THURSDAY: The front will continue to push southward – still yielding a few showers through the morning hours south of I-20. Temperatures will still work their way back into the 60s the afternoon hours amid a variably to mostly cloudy sky. Rain, storm chances increase overnight as the front acts as a train track for a disturbance to ride along it. Lows will be in the upper 40s and lower 50s.  


EXTENDED FORECAST: Our unsettled weather pattern continues from late week until mid-next week over the Gulf States, keeping waves of rain pushing past the area on a daily basis. Friday will be in the lower to middle 60s with rain chances remaining elevated through mid-day. A front lifts back over the area as a warm front into the weekend, pushing highs in the 70s Saturday and Sunday. The bulk of the rain will push north of the region, but random opportunities for rain will exist. A cold front will push through Monday ushering a cool down into mid-next week, but will keep rain chances through Wednesday, before drying out.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Chilly Start, Warm Finish Tuesday; Unsettled Pattern Ahead

TUESDAY: A touch of frost on windshields to start off your day – but sunshine will be shining bright in the skies through the day with a nice warm up for the day ahead – expect highs well into upper 60s and lower 70s. We’ll stay clear overnight with lows dropping into the upper 30s to lower 40s.  


WEDNESDAY: Sunshine will shine bright once again to, at least, start the day off. Expect highs in the lower 70s through the afternoon with clouds increase from the west amid breezy southwest flow. Scattered showers return through Wednesday night as a front slips southward over the state. Lows will drop into the upper 40s and lower 50s. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: An unsettled weather pattern emerges through late week as a front stalls over the Gulf States, keeping waves of rain pushing past the area on a daily basis. A few showers will be possible Thursday; though more widespread rain may emerge Thursday night into early Friday. Highs Thursday and Friday will be in the lower to middle 60s. The front lifts back over the area as a warm front into the weekend, pushing highs in the 70s Saturday and Sunday. The bulk of the rain will push north of the region, but random opportunities for rain will exist. A front will push through Monday ushering a cool down into mid-next week.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Seasonable Monday; Warmer Through Mid-Week

MONDAY: Morning clouds and showers will exit through the day as a cold front sweeps through the region. Thankfully, temperatures will not bottom out in the deep freezer like we saw through the last week or so. Expect highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s. amid a mix of clouds and sun. We’ll trend clear overnight with lows in the 30s.  
 

TUESDAY: Sunshine will be shining bright in the skies through the day with a nice warm up for the day ahead – expect highs well into the 60s through the afternoon hours. We’ll drop into the upper 30s to lower 40s.  


EXTENDED FORECAST: Our next weather maker will begin to make its way into the fold through late Wednesday into Thursday of this week. Ahead of it, temperatures will run into the upper 60s and lower 70s. Rain chances emerge, turning a bit unsettled to round out the month of February. Temperatures will remain near to slightly above average – generally in the 60s, lows in the 40s and 50s. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Let The Great Thaw of 2021 Commence

FRIDAY: Yet another day of cold temperatures across central and southwest Mississippi. Icy patches on the roads will be likely – even in spots that may look clear or were fine yesterday after starting off deep in the 20s. We’ll trend sunny today - helping to continue the melting process as highs work their way into the middle to upper 30s north; upper 30s to lower 40s south. Wet areas will likely ice over again as lows drop into the upper 10s and lower 20s again.  


WEEKEND PLANNER: A harshly cold start Saturday in the 10s and 20s with eventually, with a lot of sunshine, get into the upper 40s and lower 50s north; lower to middle 50s south – likely finishing the melting process for most areas. We’ll dip down into the upper 20s and lower 30s early Sunday morning before making a run for the upper 50s and lower 60s Sunday. Morning sunshine will give way to clouds by afternoon – a shower can’t be ruled out by late day, but chance for rain move through Sunday night into early Monday.  


EXTENDED FORECAST: Monday will be a transition day – coming out of morning chances for rain to clearing skies by afternoon. Highs will top out in the lower to middle 50s. This begins our more appreciable warming trend that will take us to the middle to upper 60s by the middle of the week. A chance for rain and a few storms moves through late Wednesday through Friday.   
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

ALERT DAY: Cold, Cloudy Thursday Post-Ice Storm

THURSDAY: Our ALERT DAY continues for potential ongoing issues across parts of central Mississippi. Downed trees and power lines along with slushy and icy roads will cause for treacherous driving conditions. A scattering of freezing rain, sleet and snow will be possible at times during the day, mainly north of Jackson; but freezing drizzle and fog will be possible elsewhere through mid-day. Highs will struggle to warm a little, if any – staying mainly in the 30s during the day. While we may have some wintry weather, other spots may be able to melt some ice away. Anything that does melt and doesn’t dry up will re-freeze as temperatures drop into the 20s again. 


FRIDAY: Yet another day of cold temperatures and potential for icy spots on the roads. After a cloudier start to your Friday; sunshine will break out, helping to continue the melting process as highs work their way into the upper 30s to near 40. Wet areas will likely ice over again as lows drop into the upper 10s and lower 20s again.  


EXTENDED FORECAST: A few patches of black ice may remain into Saturday, but sunshine will bring highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Our gradual warming trend will be stifled by a system moving through late Sunday into Monday that will bring an opportunity for rain showers. By mid-next week, expect highs solidly back in the 60s. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

ALERT DAY: Next Wintry System Brings More Freezing Rain, Sleet Wednesday

WEDNESDAY: Another day in February, another ALERT DAY for central Mississippi. Our next system will be pushing into the region through the day – bringing another risk for freezing rain and sleet; mainly near and N/W of the Natchez Trace – most other locations will be caught in a cold rain through most of the event. Temperatures will warm into the 30s to near 40 north, lower to middle 40s south. 


SOUTH DELTA: Freezing rain likely, sleet mixing in at times. A possible transition to a cold rain. Ice accumulations around 1/3”, localized ½" totals, which could cause issues on power lines and with trees. Additional snow and sleet accumulations will possible into Thursday.  
 
NEAR & ALONG THE NATCHEZ TRACE (INCLUDING METRO JACKSON): Freezing rain, sleet will transition to a cold rain. Ice accumulations around 1/10” -¼".  
 
SOUTH/EAST OF THE NATCHEZ TRACE: Pockets of freezing rain possible with a light glaze; transitioning to a cold rain.  
 
THURSDAY: Our ALERT DAY continues for potential ongoing issues across parts of central Mississippi. Most of the rain will exit to the east through the early morning hours – but a scattering of freezing rain, sleet and snow will be possible at times during the day. Highs will struggle to warm a little, if any – staying mainly in the 30s during the day. While we may have some wintry weather, other spots may be able to melt some ice away. Anything that does melt and doesn’t dry up will re-freeze as temperatures drop into the 20s again.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: After a potentially icy start to Friday, sunshine breaks between clouds Friday with highs in the upper 30s and lower 40s. A few patches of black ice may remain into Saturday, but sunshine will bring highs in the upper 40s and lower 50s. Our gradual warming trend will be stifled by a system moving through late Sunday into Monday that will bring an opportunity for rain showers. By mid-next week, expect highs solidly back in the 60s. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

ALERT DAY: Frigid Cold, Icy Roads; Another System Moves In Wednesday

TUESDAY: An ALERT DAY continues through Tuesday as road conditions remain treacherous and the cold will not be going anywhere through the day. Sun will to break through this morning  but it will likely not have much effect on the ice and snow on the ground, except be blindingly bright. Expect highs in the 20s to near 30 north; lower to middle 30s south. Another hard freeze expected overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with lows in the upper 10s and lower 20s.  


WEDNESDAY: Another system will be pushing into the region through the day – bringing another risk for freezing rain and sleet; mainly for the South Delta – most other locations will be caught in a cold rain through the majority of the event. Temperatures will warm into the 30s to near 40 north, lower to middle 40s south. Rain showers will continue, at times, in early Thursday morning. Lows will fall into the 30s.  


EXTENDED FORECAST: Rain will generally taper off into Thursday – a few snow showers could mix in during the day with temperatures in the 30s. Anything left on the ground may refreeze into Friday. Sunshine breaks between clouds Friday with highs in the upper 30s and lower 40s. In that system’s wake, finally, a warming trend heading into the weekend, with 60s emerging by Sunday; shower chances may emerge as well late Sunday into Monday.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

ALERT DAY: Winter Storm Moves In Monday; Bitterly Cold Tuesday Morning

MONDAY: An ALERT DAY in place as a winter storm moves across central and southwest Mississippi that will feature freezing rain, sleet and snow over the course of the day ahead.

LOWER DELTA (Belzoni, Rolling Fork): Brief period of freezing rain to sleet and snow; up to 1/10″ of ice accretion with snow and sleet accumulations totaling 2-4″. Most precipitation winds down through mid-afternoon. Highs: upper 10s and lower 20s; wind chills near 10.

NORTH CENTRAL HILLS (Carthage, Kosciusko): Freezing rain and sleet will mix through the morning, mixing with snow to round out the event through the afternoon hours. ¼-½” with locally higher amounts possible of ice accretion; sleet and snow accumulations of 1-2″. Highs: middle 20s; wind chills in the 10s.

METRO / I-20 CORRIDOR (Metro Jackson, Forest, Vicksburg): Freezing rain and sleet will mix through the morning, mixing with snow to round out the event through the afternoon hours. Up to ¼” in the Metro; possible near ½” farther east with locally higher amounts possible of ice accretion; sleet and snow accumulations of 1-2″. Highs: middle 20s; wind chills in the 10s.

US 61 Corridor (Port Gibson, Fayette): Freezing rain and sleet will mix through the morning; some snow possible. Up to 1/4″ possible of ice accretion. especially farther east along the Borderbelt; sleet and snow accumulations up to 1″. Highs: middle 20s; wind chills in the 10s.

US 84 CORRIDOR (Meadville, Brookhaven, Collins): Freezing rain and sleet will mix through the morning, mixing with snow to round out the event through the afternoon hours. Up to ¼” near and west of I-55; possible near ½” east of I-55 with locally higher amounts possible of ice accretion; sleet and snow accumulations of up to 1″. Highs: middle 20s; wind chills in the 10s.

MISS-LOU (Natchez, McComb): Freezing rain and sleet will mix through the morning; some snow possible. ¼-½” with locally higher amounts possible of ice accretion especially farther east along the Borderbelt; sleet and snow accumulations up to 1″. Highs: middle to upper 20s; wind chills in the 10s.

PINEY WOODS (Prentiss, Magee): Mainly freezing rain or rain; sleet mixing in from time to time. ¼-½” of ice accretion possible. Quick coating of sleet possible. Highs: upper 20s to near 30; wind chills near 20.

TONIGHT: Expect variably to mostly cloudy skies with lows dropping between 7-13; wind chills will run between –5 and 5. All ice and snow will freeze on the ground amid the harsh cold – keeping roads impassable overnight.

TUESDAY: Sun will try to break through during the day but it will likely not have much effect on the ice and snow on the ground. Expect highs in the 20s to near 30 north; lower to middle 30s south. Another hard freeze expected overnight Tuesday into Wednesday with lows in the upper 10s and lower 20s.

EXTENDED FORECAST: Yet another system will emerge through Wednesday afternoon into Thursday with the potential for wintry weather mixing in for parts of it. Expect mainly rain, but on the front of the system the possibility of freezing rain and sleet before transitioning to a cold rain – then a burst of snow possible to round it out, mainly for the Lower Delta. In that system’s wake, finally, a warming trend to round out the week and head into the weekend, with 60s emerging by Sunday.

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

Freezing Rain Potential Remains; Icing Event Likely Early Week

FRIDAY: Lingering showers continue to push through the area; keeping things cold and damp along with the Arctic air mass that has settled over central Mississippi. Temperatures will continue to climb slowly into the upper 30s and lower 40s through the afternoon hours. Overnight - lows will dip to near freezing again with a few pockets of freezing rain possible early Saturday. Amounts will remain light - with a light glazing north / west of Metro Jackson. Bridges and overpasses could impacted once again.


WEEKEND PLANNER: Bouts of light freezing rain could be possible both on Saturday and Sunday mornings as weak disturbances push across the area amid a continued flow pattern off the Gulf and the Pacific. Highest chances will be across the South Delta both mornings. A secondary system could flare up another chance for rain and freezing rain into Valentine’s Day Sunday.The Sunday system could be impactful as temperatures are expected to drop into the upper 20s by sunrise - so any rain that fall could accrue along some other surfaces.

EXTENDED FORECAST: An ALERT DAY has been hoisted for yet another system developing that could bring a risk for wintry weather Monday into early Tuesday that could be impactful. This will likely be an icier system than the last several wintry systems we’ve seen – meaning freezing rain and sleet will be more predominate, with a late change over to snow to end out the event. Lows will drop to the 10s and 20s early Tuesday – remaining quite cold Tuesday with highs in the 30s amid colder wind chills. Roadways could be a problem starting Monday afternoon and evening and continue into Tuesday. The active pattern continues next week amid the cold air with another system to watch – due in by late Wednesday into Thursday.

Patrick Ellis

WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx