MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

High & Dry Through Work Week Ahead

MONDAY: Kicking off the new work and school week – more settled than much of last week, which features periods of rain and wild temperatures spreads. We’ll return to a more typical situation as high pressure build in over the coming days. After a chilly start, expect sunshine to warm us to the upper 50s and lower 60s through the afternoon. We’ll have another tumble into the 30s by early Tuesday. 


FAT TUESDAY: If your plans have you out of town along the Gulf Coast for Mardi Gras – the weather should be quiet and nice across the board. Back here at home, we expect a chilly start and a seasonable finish amid mostly to partly sunny skies with highs rebounding into the middle to upper 60s. This will kick off the month of March – like a lamb, hopefully, staying like this through the month ahead.  


EXTENDED FORECAST: High pressure will hold over the Gulf States through the week – helping to push temperatures up gradually through the week. We’ll go from the lower 70s Ash Wednesday to the middle 70s Thursday; nearing 80 by Friday. All the while, with high pressure in control, expect mostly to partly sunny skies. An approaching system this weekend could spark a few widely scattered showers and storms amid highs in the 80s. The bulk of rain opportunities will hold off until early next week, coupled with a drop in temperatures back to normal levels.  

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

 

Much Cooler, Staying Unsettled Through Weekend Ahead

FRIDAY: In the wake of our front slipping southward – expect temperatures to finally get back onto equal footing. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a few opportunities for showers; temperatures will gradually rebound into the upper 40s and lower 50s through the afternoon hours. We’ll stay cloudy overnight with lows in the upper 30s and lower 40s. 
 
WEEKEND PLANNER: We aren’t done yet with our residual boundary – it will help to kick up yet another round of rain through the weekend as another system treks along it late Saturday into Sunday. Expect highs ranging from the upper 40s to lower 50s north to the upper 50s to near 60 south Saturday ahead of the rain opportunity. Rain coverage expands overnight into early Sunday – amid clouds, we’ll manage lower to middle 50s Sunday as the system exits to the east through the morning hours. Skies finally clear overnight Sunday into Monday, allowing for temperatures to drop into the 30s.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: We’ll trend quiet and warmer through much of next week across central and southwest Mississippi. Expect highs in the 60s again by Lundi Gras, in the upper 60s to near 70 for Mardi Gras and lower 70s for Ash Wednesday. We’ll continue to warm to near 80 by week’s end with a risk for a few showers returning by late Friday into Saturday. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Nearly Stalled Boundary Splits Temperatures, Yields Rain Chances Late

THURSDAY: The front will begin to lift back northward through the day – helping to boost temperatures back up into the 70s for many. A few showers and storms can’t be ruled out during the day, but most will hold off until after sunset, continuing through early Friday morning. A risk for a strong storm or two will be possible as the front comes back down south. Lows will eventually bottom out in the 40s, for most by early Friday.

FRIDAY: In the wake of our front slipping southward – expect temperatures to finally get back onto equal footing. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a few opportunities for showers early; temperatures will gradually rebound into the upper 40s and lower 50s through the afternoon hours. We’ll stay cloudy overnight with lows in the upper 30s and lower 40s 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: The front that has plagued our forecast the last several days will hang to the south of the area – allowing for another wave to ride along it late Saturday into early Sunday, kicking up another chance for showers. We’ll trend quieter through late Sunday; eventually drier again by early next week. Highs will gradually warm again back into the 60s and 70s.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Stalled Boundary Keeps Pattern Unsettled Late Week

WEDNESDAY: As the first waves exits, the front will slip southward by early in the day – a split in temperatures due to the front hanging over the area will keep highs in the 50s north to near 80° south amid cloudy skies and a risk for occasional passing showers. The front will get sent back northward over with lows in the 50s and 60s.  


THURSDAY: The front will begin to lift back northward through the day – helping to boost temperatures back up into the 70s for many. A few showers and storms can’t be ruled out during the day, but most will hold off until after sunset, continuing through early Friday morning. A risk for a strong storm or two will be possible as the front comes back down south. Lows will eventually bottom out in the 40s, for most by early Friday.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Cooler air filters in behind the front Friday – with a risk for lingering showers possible Friday. The front will hang to the south of the area – allowing for another wave to ride along it late Saturday into early Sunday, kicking up another chance for showers. We’ll trend quieter through Sunday; eventually drier again by early next week. Highs will gradually warm again back into the 60s.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Warm, Muggy, Breezy Ahead of Storm Risk Late Tuesday

TUESDAY: An approaching front will help to kick up another chance for storms by the latter part of the day – ahead of that chance, expect variably to mostly cloudy skies, balmy south breezes and highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s. A few strong storms could develop late Tuesday into early Wednesday as the first front slips southward. Storms that can strengthen could present strong winds, hail and a risk for a spin-up tornado through Tuesday evening.  Lows will fall back into the 50s and 60s.

WEDNESDAY: As the first waves exits, the front will slip southward by early in the day – a split in temperatures due to the front hanging over the area will keep highs in the 50s north to near 80° south amid cloudy skies and a risk for occasional passing showers. The front will get sent back northward over with lows in the 50s and 60s.  

 
EXTENDED FORECAST: As the next wave approaches, we’ll see another surge of warmth Thursday with a few chances of rain through the day – but better chances will move in late Thursday into early Friday with another risk for a few strong storms. Cooler air filters in behind the front Friday – with a risk for a few lingering showers possible Friday, also late Saturday into early Sunday. We’ll trend quieter through Sunday and staying seasonably cool Sunday into early next week.   
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Unsettled Pattern Yields Spring Warmth, Rainy Periods This Week

MONDAY: Changes are here after a quiet weekend across central and southwest Mississippi – expect cloudy skies, opportunities for rain and storms to kick up through the next several days, including to start your new work week. Temperatures will run toward the 70s as winds pick up from the south. A gusty storm or two can’t be ruled out, but severe weather chances will be remain low. Rain chances will taper tonight as a boundary lifts farther north; we’ll bottom out in the 60s. 


 
TUESDAY: An approaching front will help to kick up another chance for storms by the latter part of the day – ahead of that chance, expect variably to mostly cloudy skies, balmy south breezes and highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s. A few strong storms could develop late Tuesday into early Wednesday as the first front slips southward. Lows will fall back into the 50s and 60s.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Rain chances will taper a bit Wednesday as our first wave exits the region – temperatures will trend cooler, mostly 70s, but some could be in the 60s northwest of Metro Jackson. We’ll see another surge of warmth Thursday with a few chances of rain through the day – but better chances will move in late Thursday into early Friday with another risk for a few strong storms. Cooler air filters in behind the front Friday – with a risk for a few lingering showers possible Friday, also late Saturday into early Sunday. We’ll trend quieter through Sunday and staying seasonably cool Sunday.   
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Cooler, Brisk Friday; Quiet Weekend Ahead of Stormy Week

FRIDAY: In the wake of our storm system, we’ll start cold, cloudy and blustery early Friday with temperatures in the 30s; we’ll only manage highs in the 50s through the afternoon hours as sunshine breaks back out. Brisk northerly breezes will help to keep temps at bay. With clear skies overnight, we’ll fall back into the upper 20s and lower 30s.

WEEKEND PLANNER: Our weekend will be generally quiet as transient high pressure moves over the region. Sunshine will help push highs into the lower 60s Saturday after starting in the freezer. Sunday will see clouds gradually increase as moisture flows back in. Highs will top out in the upper 60s ahead of rain chances increasing again into next week.

EXTENDED FORECAST: A expansive upper ridge to our south will pump in warmer, muggier air into the region. A stalled boundary to our north will help to facilitate rounds of rainy and stormy conditions through much of next week. Highs Monday will top out in the lower 70s; near 80 by Tuesday. Temperatures click down a bit by Wednesday as the front wavers slightly farther south and eventually fully pushes east through Thursday and Friday – returning us to a wintry feel.

Patrick Ellis

WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

 

ALERT DAY: Strong to Severe Storms Possible Thursday

ALERT DAY THURSDAY: A potent storm system will yield a heightened risk for strong to severe storms through the late morning and afternoon hours.  Rain chances early will generally be more isolated – but chances will ramp quickly as the line approaches from the west. Temperatures will run up into the 70s amid a deep, strong southerly wind. Outside of any storms, winds could gust to 40-45 mph. Impacts from a few storms to grow to strong to severe limits could have strong winds, hail and a few tornadoes. We encourage you to remain weather aware and vigilant through the day. The storm risk tapers around sunset. Lows will drop into the 30s by early Friday morning.  


FRIDAY: In the wake of our storm system, we’ll start cold, cloudy and blustery early Friday with temperatures in the 30s; we’ll only manage highs in the 50s through the afternoon hours as sunshine breaks back out. Brisk northerly breezes will help to keep temps at bay. With clear skies overnight, we’ll fall back into the upper 20s and lower 30s. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Our weekend will be generally quiet as transient high pressure moves over the region. Sunshine will help push highs into the lower 60s Saturday after starting in the freezer. Sunday will see clouds gradually increase as moisture flows back in. Highs will top out in the upper 60s ahead of rain chances increasing again into next week. Rainy and stormy periods will be more likely as a stalled front holds to our north – turning us warm and unsettled with highs in the 70s through Wednesday.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

 

Warm, Breezy Wednesday; Storm Threat Emerges Thursday

WEDNESDAY: Expect sunshine and mild temperatures to give way to more clouds and a few showers by the afternoon hours. Temperatures will warm from the morning 40s and 50s to afternoon 70s with balmy breezes kicking up off the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll keep a few shower chances in the forecast though the overnight period with lows in the 60s.  



FIRE DANGER CONTINUES: While humidity levels will increase today, the dry ground and gusty breezes could quickly get fires to spread quickly across the region. Burn bans have been issued for several counties – making open outdoor burning unlawful, outside of certain circumstances. 

 
THURSDAY: The pattern remains set up for strong storms and heavy rain to push across Mississippi through the late morning into the afternoon hours. Rain chances early will generally be more isolated – but chances will ramp quickly as the line approaches from the west. Temperatures will run up into the 70s amid a deep, strong southerly wind. Impacts from a few storms to grow to strong to severe limits could have strong winds, hail and a few tornadoes. Risk tapers around sunset. Lows will drop into the 30s by early Friday morning.  

 
EXTENDED FORECAST: In the front’s wake, we’ll trend cooler Friday as skies gradually clear through the day. Brisk northerly breezes will keep highs in the 50s. Another warming and unsettled trend returns late Sunday and into early next week. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

 

 

Significant Fire Risk Tuesday; Rain, Storms Likely Thursday

TUESDAY: More sunshine will help continue to quiet weather trend through Tuesday. We’ll start off in the 30s, warming to the upper 60s and lower 70s as winds begin to pick up gradually through the day off the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll stay mostly clear overnight with lows in the 40s to near 50.  



RED FLAG WARNING: With the continuation of our ongoing drought, dry pattern, low humidity and gusty breezes – a statewide Red Flag Warning has been issued due to high fire danger. Open outdoor burning is highly discouraged as fires could quickly become out of control; also, a reminder to also dispose of smoking materials properly.  
 
WEDNESDAY: Expect sunshine and mild temperatures to give way to more clouds and a few showers by the afternoon hours. Temperatures will warm from the morning 40s and 50s to afternoon 70s with balmy breezes kicking up off the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll keep a few shower chances in the forecast though the overnight period with lows in the 60s.  

 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Our pattern is still set up for a risk for heavy rainfall and strong storm to invade the region through mid-late parts of the week. Rain chances increase through early Thursday morning as a strong front approaches the area. We keep a risk for a few strong to severe storms as the line shifts through – tapering off through Thursday evening. Impacts from strong winds, hail and a few tornadoes can’t be ruled out in the strongest of storms. In the front’s wake, we’ll trend cooler Friday and Saturday before another warming and unsettled trend returns Sunday and into early next week. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx