FRIDAY: Tropical Storm Hanna will continue its trek westward toward southeast Texas – meanwhile, in its wake, still spiraling in occasional tropical bands that could result in squally weather at times, rotating over the region. Underneath one of these bands, expect heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 mph. Highs will top out in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Storms fade after sunset as lows drop into the 70s.
WEEKEND PLANNER: As the weekend approaches, waves of rain will still be possible in the wake of the TS Hanna pushes westward toward Texas. Opportunities for rain will remain highest south of I-20. Expect highs to be generally in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Rain chances may drop off slightly Sunday as are in transition in our weather patterns - highs topping out in the lower 90s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: The upper ridge that has acted as a bubble over the region the past two weeks will begin to break down and move away. Expect temperatures to fall back in line with late July standards and a general increase in rain chances on a daily basis – amid partly sunny to variably cloudy skies and muggy, Gulf air hanging over the region. Highs will top out in the upper 80s and lower 90s.
TROPICS: Close to home, TS Hanna will continue to trek westward toward the Coastal Bend of Texas – still spreading waves of tropical downpours across the Gulf States. The storm may strengthen a bit before moving onshore Saturday. Deeper in the Atlantic, Gonzalo continues to move toward the Windward Islands. While weakening in the Caribbean is expected - if it can overcome the dry air and wind shear, we’ll need to monitor its progression into next week as the southern Gulf may be in play. This being said, it’s still too early to make that assumption. Behind Gonzalo, yet, another wave coming off Africa, may have a chance at development into next week as the deep tropics come alive.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 24, 2020
July 23, 2020
Heat Slowly Eases; Storm Risk Increases
THURSDAY: An easterly push of wind will bring in slightly lower humidity for parts of the day. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies with a chance for storms increasing through the latter half of the day. This, as a tendril of moisture, spirals in from south to north, in association with TD #8 to our south. Highs will top out in the 90s again, while feels like numbers will crest between 100-105.
FRIDAY: TD #8 will continue its trek westward toward southeast Texas – meanwhile, in its wake, still spiraling in occasional tropical bands that could result in squally weather at times. Areas, mainly south of I-20, run the highest risk of being impacted by one of these squalls. In these areas, highs will top out in the upper 80s; elsewhere, lower 90s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: As the weekend approaches, waves of rain will still be possible in the wake of the TD #8 pushes westward toward Texas. Opportunities for rain will remain highest south of I-20. Expect highs to be generally in the lower 90s, though spots seeing more rain may remain in the upper 80s for highs. The upper ridge, that has acted as a bubble, over the region will begin to break down - offering up better chances for rain and storms by next week.
TROPICS: Close to home, TD #8 will continue to trek westward toward the Coastal Bend of Texas – still spreading waves of tropical downpours across the Gulf States. The storm may strengthen to become a tropical storm before moving farther west. Deeper in the Atlantic, Gonzalo, now forecast to become a hurricane today, will continue to move toward the Windward Islands. While weakening in the Caribbean is expected - if it can overcome the dry air and wind shear, we’ll need to monitor its progression into next week as the southern Gulf may be in play. This being said, it’s still too early to make that assumption.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 22, 2020
Relentless July Heat, Humidity Continues; Eyes on the Tropics
WEDNESDAY: Expect a mix of sunshine and clouds with a chance for a few showers and storms by the afternoon hours. Highs, again, will top out in the 90s – ‘feels like’ temperatures in the lower 100s. Storms will, again, fade, after sunset with lows in the 70s.
THURSDAY: An easterly push of wind will bring in slightly lower humidity for parts of the day. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies with a chance for storms increasing through the latter half of the day. This, as a tendril of moisture, spirals in from south to north, in association with the passing tropical wave to our south. Highs will top out in the 90s again, while feels like numbers will crest between 100-105.
EXTENDED FORECAST: High pressure will continue to hang out over the southeast US, keeping temperatures above average and rain chances, generally, low. Expect highs in the lower to middle 90s; overnights in the 70s. The tropical wave will continue to track westward toward the Coastal Bend of Texas. This could bring an uptick in rain chances for areas south of I-20. At this point, we don’t anticipate any major impacts locally, but we’ll keep a watchful eye over the system this week. Also, deeper in the Atlantic, TS Gonzalo has formed in the Main Development Region between the Cape Verde and Windward islands will continue to trek westward toward the Caribbean through the weekend. Increasing wind shear by the weekend over this area may limit the storm from strengthening. While, this isn’t something of immediate impact, we’ll be keeping an eye on it, as well.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 21, 2020
Summer Doldrums Roll On; Eyes on the Tropics
TUESDAY: The Summer doldrums continue - expect more of the same as we head into your Tuesday with a mix of sun and clouds amid an opportunity for a few cooling showers or storms to bubble up to stymie the heat. Expect highs in the middle 90s amid ‘feels like’ temperatures pushing 105. Storms will gradually taper after sunset as lows drop into the 70s.
WEDNESDAY: Lather, rinse and repeat – expect a mix of sunshine and clouds with a chance for a few showers and storms by the afternoon hours. Highs, again, will top out in the 90s – ‘feels like’ temperatures in the lower 100s. Storms will, again, fade, after sunset with lows in the 70s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: High pressure will continue to hang out over the southeast US, keeping temperatures above average and rain chances, generally, low. Expect highs in the lower to middle 90s; overnights in the 70s. By the latter part of the week, an area of low pressure will enter the Gulf of Mexico, tracking westward toward the Coastal Bend of Texas. This could bring an uptick in rain chances for areas south of I-20. At this point, we don’t anticipate any major impacts locally, but we’ll keep a watchful eye over the system this week. Yet another system is tracking through the Main Development Region between the Cape Verde and Windward islands. More than likely, this system will beat the other one to the punch in numbering and naming convention, though will not have an local impact, as of now.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 20, 2020
Summer Doldrums Take Hold Through Late July
MONDAY: Heading back to work Monday will feature, yet another, steamy July weather setup. Expect a mix of sun and clouds as temperatures work their way back into the middle 90s again. Factor in the humidity levels, feels like temperatures will crest close to 105. A cooling storm or two is possible for some; fading after sunset with lows in the 70s.
TUESDAY: Lather, rinse and repeat – expect more of the same as we head into your Tuesday with a mix of sun and clouds amid an opportunity for a cooling shower or storm to bubble up stymie the heat. Expect highs in the middle 90s amid ‘feels like’ temperatures pushing 105.
EXTENDED FORECAST: High pressure will continue to hang out over the southeast US, keeping temperatures above average and rain chances, generally, low. Expect highs in the lower to middle 90s; overnights in the 70s. By the middle to latter part of the week, an area of low pressure will enter the Gulf of Mexico, tracking westward toward the Coastal Bend of Texas. This could bring an uptick in rain chances for areas south of I-20. At this point, we don’t anticipate any major impacts locally, but we’ll keep a watchful eye over the system this week.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 17, 2020
July Heat, Steam Continue Friday, Into Weekend
FRIDAY: More sunshine, heat and humidity to round out the work week. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies. A stray shower or storm could be the exception of a mainly dry rule through the afternoon hours. Highs will top out in the middle 90s with ‘feels like’ temperatures between 103-108°. Expect mostly clear skies with lows in the 70s.
WEEKEND PLANNER: The upper ridge over the region will continue to hold, keeping temperatures above average into the weekend. Expect highs to top out in the middle 90s; feels like temperatures around 103-108°, daily. Rain chances will, generally, remain low – though, a storm or two could mix in from time to time to bring some cooling relief.
NEXT WEEK: Our upper ridge continues to break down and move farther east through the week ahead. Expect highs to be near- to slightly-above normal with highs in the lower to middle 90s. By the end of the week, the ridge will break down enough to allow for more showers and storms to develop and swing over the region.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 16, 2020
July Steam Continues; Heat, Humidity, Storm Risk Thursday
FRIDAY: More sunshine, heat and humidity to round out the work week. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies with an opportunity for a few afternoon storms to develop amid a small weakness in the upper ridge, though coverage will be lower than mid-week. Highs will top out in the middle 90s with ‘feels like’ temperatures between 105-110°.
EXTENDED FORECAST: The upper ridge over the region will continue to hold, keeping temperatures above average into the weekend. Expect highs to top out in the middle 90s; feels like temperatures around 105-110, daily. Rain chances will, generally, remain low – though, a few storms could mix in from time to time to bring some cooling relief. Better chances emerge by mid-next week for storms.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 15, 2020
Summer Steam, Storm Regime Possible Wednesday
WEDNESDAY: Expect more of the same heading into your Wednesday as afternoon highs top out in the middle 90s, though humidity levels will likely put ‘feels like’ temperatures in the 103-109 range. One change from the earlier parts of the week, a better chance for scattered storms to develop amid the southerly breezes. Storms will tend to fade after sunset, per the Summer standard, as lows drop into the 70s.
THURSDAY: On the edge of the upper ridge – expect another mix of clouds and sun, heat and humidity and a few storms. Highs will top out in the 90s, feels like temperatures running 104-109. Scattered storms will be possible through the afternoon as the remnants of Wednesday’s disturbance continues to trek westward. Storms fade after sunset with lows in the 70s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: The upper ridge over the region will continue to hold, keeping temperatures above average through the week ahead. Expect highs to top out in the middle 90s; feels like temperatures around 105-110, daily. Rain chances will, generally, remain low – though, a few storms could mix in from time to time to bring some cooling relief.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 14, 2020
ALERT DAY: Summer Heat Cranks Up Another Notch
TUESDAY: July will continue bring the heat through mid-week as a ridge of high pressure continues to expand eastward. With that, expect mostly sunny skies with a stray storm or two amid highs in the middle 90s. Humidity levels may be a few notches higher Tuesday – pushing ‘feels like’ temperatures closer to 106-112.
WEDNESDAY: Expect more of the same heading into your Wednesday as afternoon highs top out in the middle 90s, though humidity levels will likely put ‘feels like’ temperatures in the 106-112 range. One change from the earlier parts of the week, a slightly better chance for scattered storms to develop amid the southerly breezes. Storms will tend to fade after sunset, per the Summer standard, as lows drop into the 70s.
EXTENDED FORECAST: The upper ridge over the region will continue to hold, keeping temperatures above average through the week ahead. Expect highs to top out in the middle 90s; feels like temperatures around 105-110, daily. Rain chances will, generally, remain low – though, a few storms could mix in from time to time to bring some cooling relief.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx
July 13, 2020
Summer Heat, Humidity Continue This Week
MONDAY: The searing summer heat looks to continue right into the start of the new work week across central and southwest Mississippi. Expect mainly to mostly sunny skies with highs, mainly, in the middle 90s. Factoring in the humidity levels, feels like temperatures will likely top out between 100-108°. A storm or two could bubble up – but many will remain dry. We’ll stay dry and mainly clear overnight with lows in the 70s.
TUESDAY: July will continue bring the heat through mid-week as a ridge of high pressure continues to expand eastward. With that, expect mostly sunny skies with a stray storm or two amid highs in the middle 90s. Humidity levels may be a few notches higher Tuesday – pushing feels like temperatures closer to 106-112°.
EXTENDED FORECAST: The upper ridge over the region will continue to hold, keeping temperatures above average through the week ahead. Expect highs to top out in the middle 90s; feels like temperatures around 105-110°, daily. Rain chances will, generally, remain low – though, a few storms could mix in from time to time to bring some cooling relief.
Patrick Ellis
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx