MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Warm End to 2021; Stormy Beginnings to 2022

NEW YEARS EVE: A few showers will be possible as another surge of moisture lifts across the state early on – that, along with clouds, will give way to sunshine through the afternoon hours as temperatures make a run for the upper 70s and lower 80s yet again. For any fireworks Friday night, we should remain mostly quiet. A shower or two could be possible amid variably to mostly cloudy skies. Lows will fall back to the 60s to near 70.  


WEEKEND PLANNER: New Years Day will stay off quiet, but may not end in the same fashion. Highs will top out in the lower 80s. A strong cold front is poised to move through Mississippi – yielding a risk for strong to severe storms yet again. All modes of severe weather – wind, hail and tornadoes, will be possible. Expect scattered storms to flare up ahead of a squall line during the afternoon hours – of which, a few could be severe – then the squall line shifts through the region during Saturday evening/night. Behind it, a stark blast of cold air will sweep into the region. Temperatures will slip through the 40s – a few showers could linger with a few novelty flakes of snow Sunday before shifts east. We’ll fall deep into the 20s by early Monday morning. 
 
EXTENDED RANGE: We’ll start the week off quietly – yet cold. Expect highs Monday, amid sunshine, to be in the upper 40s to near 50 after starting off in the 20s. A quick warm up gets us back to near-normal for early January standards by Tuesday and above-average – in the 60s by mid-week. A system is poised to move through late Wednesday into Thursday – bringing in another blast winter reality by the end of the week.  

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

Spring Warmth Continues, Cold Changes Blow In After New Year

THURSDAY: Expect a transition day as our front slips farther south. Morning rains continue to shift eastward - and we’ll remain warm – in the upper 70s this afternoon amid variably cloudy skies. A few more showers can’t be ruled out as the front, now lodged to the south, begins to lift back northward Thursday night into early Friday. Expect lows in the lower to middle 60s.   

 
NEW YEARS EVE: A few showers will be possible as another surge of moisture lifts across the state early on – that, along with clouds, will give way to sunshine through the afternoon hours as temperatures make a run for the upper 70s and lower 80s yet again. For any fireworks Friday night, we should remain mostly quiet. A shower or two could be possible amid variably to mostly cloudy skies. Lows will fall back to the 60s to near 70. 

EXTENDED RANGE: The stage will be set for another strong storm risk will emerge late New Year's Day into the wee-hours of Sunday morning. Expect a line of storms to track through the - featuring a risk for strong winds, hail and spin-up tornadoes. Behind this system, a shock to the system, as winter looks to takes its place over the area for the first time since we turned seasons last week. Expect highs near 80 Saturday ahead of the storms to falling through the 40s through Sunday as the front sweeps through – all the way to the middle to upper 20s by early Monday. A slow warm-up will take us back to the 60s by mid-week.  

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

Few Strong Storms Wednesday; Staying Warm Through End of 2021

WEDNESDAY: A boundary will approach the region throughout the day – helping to kick off a risk for stronger storms by the afternoon and evening hours. Expect variably cloudy skies amid a warm, breezy flow continuing to filter in off the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll top out in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Scattered storms will develop at times, a few could contain strong winds and a risk for a spin-up tornado or two. Severe risk will be maximized during the afternoon & evening hours. Risk will tend to fade after midnight. Expect lows in the 60s.  





THURSDAY: A few showers could mix in to start the day – other than that, expect a transition day as our front slips farther south. We’ll remain warm – in the middle to upper 70s amid variably cloudy skies. A few more showers can’t be ruled out as the front, now lodged to the south, begins to lift back northward Thursday night into early Friday. Expect lows in the lower to middle 60s.   
 
EXTENDED RANGE: Our rain chances will be a bit more hit and miss Thursday. A warm front will lift northward early Friday – kicking off a risk for scattered showers early. This sets the stage for another strong storm risk will emerge late New Year's Day into Sunday. Behind this system, a shock to the system, as winter looks to takes its place over the area for the first time since we turned seasons last week. Expect highs near 80 Saturday ahead of the storms to falling through the 40s through Sunday as the front sweeps through – all the way to the middle to upper 20s by early Monday.  

 

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

Storm Risks, At Times, To Round Out 2021, Start 2022

TUESDAY: Morning clouds will give way to sun breaks developing amid a deep southerly flow – pushing in warm, Gulf moisture into the region. Winds could get aggressive at times, gusting 30-35 mph at times. Widely spaced showers could also mingle in from time to time. A strong storm or two could find its way into the mix around and a few hours after sunset – generally, near and east of I-55. Chances for rain will increase a bit into the overnight periods with lows in the 60s to near 70.  


WEDNESDAY: A boundary will approach the region throughout the day – helping to kick off a risk for stronger storms by the afternoon and evening hours. Expect variably cloudy skies amid a warm, breezy flow continuing to filter in off the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll top out in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Scattered storms will develop during the afternoon and evening hours, a few could contain strong winds and a risk for a spin-up tornado or two. Risk will tend to fade after midnight. Expect lows in the 60s.  

 
EXTENDED RANGE: Behind this system, we’ll remain well above average with highs staying in the 70s to near 80, lows in the 60s. Our rain chances will be a bit more hit and miss Thursday and Friday. Another strong storm risk will emerge late New Year's Day into Sunday. Behind this system, a shock to the system, as winter looks to takes its place over the area for the first time since we turned seasons last week. Expect highs near 80 Saturday ahead of the storms to falling through the 50s into the 40s through Sunday as the front sweeps through – all the way to the middle to upper 20s by early Monday.  

 

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

Warm, Muggy & Occasionally Stormy End to 2021

MONDAY: As some get back to work, post-Christmas holiday weekend, expect sun to mix in with more clouds through the start of the new week. A few patches of fog may greet you early on – as morning 60s, give way to highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s by the afternoon. A rogue shower or two can’t be ruled out, though most will remain dry. A few more shower chances emerge overnight Monday into Tuesday as lows fall back – again – to the lower to middle 60s.  


TUESDAY: Morning clouds will give way to sun breaks developing amid a deep southerly flow – pushing in warm, Gulf moisture into the region. Winds could get aggressive at times, gusting 30-35 mph at times. Widely spaced showers could also mingle in from time to time. Chances for rain will increase a bit into the overnight periods with lows in the middle to upper 60s. 


EXTENDED RANGE: A risk for storms emerges through the afternoon and evening hours of Wednesday – a strong to severe storm is possible with strong winds, hail and a risk for spin-up tornadoes. We’ll remain warm – even behind this system – with highs staying in the middle to upper 70s, lows in the 60s. Our rain chances will be a bit more sparce, yet still present, through Thursday and Friday. Another strong storm risk will emerge late New Years Day into Sunday. Behind this system, a shock to the system, as winter looks to takes its place over the area for the first time since we turned seasons last week.  

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

Warm, Windy Christmas Eve & Day

CHRISTMAS EVE: A milder start Friday will give way to a warmer finish through the afternoon hours – highs will quickly run up into the middle to upper 70s, about 15-20 degrees above average for this time of the year. This will be along with an aggressive southwest flow – gusting 25-35 mph. Santa’s ride through Mississippi will be warm and breezy Friday night – lows will be in the lower 60s. 




CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY: Morning warmth will stick around through Christmas Day amid a mix of sun and clouds. Highs will top out in the upper 70s and lower 80s – near record territory. Winds will remain aggressive through the day, with gusts running 20-30 mph. A rogue shower or two can’t be ruled out, though the vast majority of locations and hours will be completely dry.  

 
EXTENDED FORECAST: We’ll slip down a few degrees to the middle to upper 70s Sunday and into early next week. Expect a mix of sun and clouds to kick off the last week of 2021, though scattered showers, storm chances return at times through mid-late week amid the warm air still holding over the area as the pattern trends muddier. A front looks poised to move through the area just after the new year to usher temperatures back to near normal for early January. 

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

Trending Warmer Through Christmas Holiday Weekend

THURSDAY: Another cold start to your day across central and southwest Mississippi – giving way to a seasonably warm afternoon with highs in the middle to upper 60s. High pressure overhead will keep sunshine the predominant feature in the skies. As the high shifts farther east, flow off the Gulf of Mexico will trend lows warmer – in the 40s and 50s.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY: A milder start Friday will give way to a warmer finish through the afternoon hours – highs will quickly run up into the middle to upper 70s, about 15-20 degrees above average for this time of the year. This will be along with an aggressive southwest flow – gusting 25-35 mph. Santa’s ride through Mississippi will be warm and breezy Friday night – lows will be in the upper 50s and lower 60s. We’ll remain breezy for Christmas Day amid a mix of sun and clouds. Highs will top out in the upper 70s and lower 80s – near record territory.

EXTENDED FORECAST: We’ll slip down a few degrees to the middle to upper 70s Sunday and into early next week. Expect a mix of sun and clouds to kick off the last week of 2021, though scattered showers, storm chances return at times through mid-late week amid the warm air still holding over the area.

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

Trending Warmer Through Christmas Week

WEDNESDAY: Amid sunshine, expect the chilly morning air to give way to a seasonable afternoon with highs topping out in the upper 50s and lower 60s. We’ll remain mostly clear overnight with lows falling back into the 30s yet again - yielding another frosty start.


THURSDAY: Another cold start to your day across central and southwest Mississippi – giving way to a seasonably warm afternoon with highs in the middle to upper 60s. High pressure overhead will keep sunshine the predominant feature in the skies. As the high shifts farther east, flow off the Gulf of Mexico will trend lows warmer – in the 40s and 50s.  


EXTENDED FORECAST: A stout upper ridge over the southeast will keep the weather fairly quiet, yet warm, heading into the Christmas holiday weekend. Christmas Eve will feature highs in the middle 70s with a breezy flow from the southwest – gusting 25-35 mph at times. The continued southerly flow and an approaching front from the north Saturday will help to push highs near record territory – in the upper 70s to around 80 for Christmas Day. Behind the front, we’ll slip a few degrees to the middle to upper 70s Sunday and Monday. Scattered showers, storm chances return at times through mid-late week amid the warm air still holding over the area.  

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

Chilly Start to Winter; Feeling More Like Spring Break By Christmas

TUESDAY: Outside of morning clouds and an isolated shower – expect clouds to break for more periods of sunshine through the afternoon hours. Expect highs in the lower to, a few, middle 50s, yet again, in the wake of our Gulf low. Skies clear out overnight with lows falling back into the frosty 30s by Wednesday morning.  

WEDNESDAY: A chilly, frosty start to your Wednesday – amid sunshine, will give way to a seasonable afternoon with highs topping out in the upper 50s and lower 60s. We’ll remain mostly clear overnight with lows falling back into the 30s yet again.  


EXTENDED FORECAST: A quick warming trend will take place through the latter part of the week, heading toward Christmas. Sunshine will be more predominant through late week with highs in the middle to upper 60s Thursday and in the middle to upper 70s by Christmas Eve and Day. A shower or two can’t be ruled out with a weak front slipping south Christmas Eve night into early Christmas Day – otherwise expect mostly to partly sunny skies. Warm 70s will continue into the first day of Kwanzaa Sunday with mostly to partly sunny skies.  

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

Chilly Shower Chances Return Monday; Warming Trend Ahead

MONDAY: After sunshine broke out behind our weekend front – clouds have returned to central and southwest Mississippi to start off Christmas week. Expect cool temperatures in the upper 40s and lower 50s as shower chances increase, gradually, from south to north through the afternoon and evening. Lows tonight, amid the clouds and shower opportunities, will drop back into the upper 30s and lower 40s.  



TUESDAY: Outside of morning clouds and an isolated shower – expect clouds to break for more periods of sunshine through the afternoon hours. Expect highs in the lower 50s, yet again, in the wake of our Gulf low. Skies clear out overnight with lows falling back into the frosty 30s by Wednesday morning.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: A quick warming trend will take place through the latter part of the week, heading toward Christmas. Sunshine will be more predominant through late week with highs Wednesday near 60, middle to upper 60s Thursday and in the middle 70s by Christmas Eve and Day. A shower or two can’t be ruled out with a weak front slipping south Christmas Eve night into early Christmas Day – otherwise expect mostly to partly sunny skies. Warm 70s will continue into the first day of Kwanzaa Sunday with mostly sunny skies.  

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