MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Tracking Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian is now a major category 4 storm, packing 145 mph winds, located east of the Bahamas. The latest forecast is suggesting a positive trend for Florida, keeping the center of Dorian just off the coast; this is a common track for East Coast storms, and if this trend continues the threat for Florida would significantly decrease, however Georgia and the Carolinas would be at greater risk into next week. Around here, hot and dry on this Labor Day Weekend with highs in the low to middle 90s along with lots of sunshine.

Michael Haynes

Bright & Shiny Through Labor Day Weekend; Eyes on Dorian

FRIDAY: A mild start to your day with temperatures in the 60s; expect abundant sunshine to rebound temperatures into the lower 90s yet with comfortable humidity levels through the day. Another clear night will allow for temperatures to drop into the 60s again.  


WEEKEND PLANNER: A no-worries weekend ahead for central Mississippi - after starting off in the upper 60s Saturday morning – expect mostly to partly sunny skies with highs rebounding in the lower to, a few, middle 90s. A shower or two could mix in by Sunday afternoon as moisture begins to sneak back into the region.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST:  A few downpours may flare up Labor Day Monday, but more zip codes than not, will remain dry with partly cloudy skies. High pressure building to the west of Dorian will keep out weather quiet with sunshine and highs in the lower to middle 90s through the majority of the upcoming week.  
 
TROPICS: Hurricane Dorian continues to churn through the Atlantic, gradually gaining strength as it begins to turn westward with its eye, seemingly, set on the Florida peninsula.  At this point, we expect impacts of rain, wind throughout the peninsula, starting Monday. The storm will likely slow down considerable as it turns back north through mid-week. As far as the north-central Gulf Coast, keep an eye on the storm, but no need to worry as of now.  

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

Bright, Hot August Sunshine; Eyes On The Tropics

THURSDAY: With our drop in humidity, we’ll see temperatures in the 60s to start off the day. Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures rebounding to the upper 80s and lower 90s by the afternoon hours. Clear skies overnight will allow for temperatures to drop into the lower to middle 60s as we roll toward Friday morning.  


FRIDAY: A mild start to your day with temperatures in the 60s; expect abundant sunshine to rebound temperatures into the lower 90s yet with comfortable humidity levels through the day. Another clear night will allow for temperatures to drop into the 60s again.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: The refreshing air mass will hang over central Mississippi through Friday. Gradually, through the long holiday weekend, moisture will creep back into the area from the Gulf. Highs will run in the lower 90s amid a mostly to partly sunny skies. A few downpours may flare up through Sunday and Labor Day Monday. A few more storms may greet folks heading back to work by Tuesday.  
 
TROPICS: Erin will continue to be a non-factor for the United States, though could cause issues for the Canadian Maritimes with rain through late week. Hurricane Dorian emerges north of Puerto Rico Thursday and will continue to trek toward the northwest, gaining strength along its way, approaching the southeast coast by Sunday, possibly as a major hurricane. At this point, it’s too early to pinpoint exactly where the storm will affect but if you have interests along the Florida Atlantic coast, you should be making preparations. As far as the Gulf states are concerned, continue to monitor the latest, but as of now, we don’t expect any direct impacts locally.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Less Humid Air Moves In Late Week

WEDNESDAY: A drier air mass will slowly slip into central Mississippi through the day. A few downpours will be possible – best chances across southwest Mississippi. Expect mostly to partly sunny skies with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Overnight, lows will fall well into the 60s as the drier air wins out through the latter half of the week.   
 
THURSDAY: With our drop in humidity, we’ll see temperatures in the 60s to start off the day. Expect mostly sunny skies with temperatures rebounding to the upper 80s and lower 90s by the afternoon hours. Clear skies overnight will allow for temperatures to drop into the lower to middle 60s as we roll toward Friday morning.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: The refreshing air mass will hang over central Mississippi through Friday. Gradually, through the long holiday weekend, moisture will creep back into the area from the Gulf. Highs will run in the lower 90s amid a mostly to partly sunny skies. A few downpours may flare up through Sunday and Labor Day Monday. A few more storms may greet folks heading back to work by Tuesday.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Downpours At Times Monday; Drier Air Late Week

MONDAY: Starting off a new work week with scattered to numerous showers and storms being possible at times as we roll through the day. Grab the umbrella as you head out the door – similar to what we’ve seen the past several days – downpours will move through at times but expect drier periods as well. Highs will top out in the middle to upper 80s.  

TUESDAY: A front will move its way into central Mississippi through the day, helping to bring around of scattered showers and storms to the region. Outside of that, a mix of clouds and sun will give way to scattered showers and storms at times. Highs will be in the upper 80s and lower 90s.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Scattered downpour chances will likely continue through your Wednesday before another front pushes through the area, helping to sweep out the tropical moisture that has been plaguing the region for the better part of the last 2 weeks. Highs will be near normal, in the lower 90s with sunshine becoming more abundant amid lower humidity through late week. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Clouds & Sun Amid Stormy Spells

FRIDAY: Expect more of the same to round of the work week – expect a mix of clouds and sun with the opportunity of scattered showers and storms to develop through the afternoon hours. This will come by way of a bit of a squeeze play with a surge of tropical moisture and an approaching front from the north. Highs will top out in the upper 80s to lower 90s. 
 
WEEKEND PLANNER: A surge of tropical moisture will push northward bringing bouts of downpours to the region through the weekend ahead. While we don’t expect a complete washout, be ready for scattered to, at times, numerous storms to dot the radar. Expect a mix of clouds and sun with highs in the upper 80s to near 90°. Localized flooding is a possibility with the heaviest, slow moving storms. Lows will drop into the lower to middle 70s.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Scattered storms will likely last through the beginning of the work week amid a mix of sun and clouds. Highs will top out in the upper 80s and lower 90s. A front will approach the region by late Tuesday into Wednesday – eventually scouring out the moisture through the latter half of the work week.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Downpour Potential Stays Elevated

THURSDAY: A nearly typical mid-late August day on tap – after starting off warm and muggy, highs will rebound to the lower 90s by the afternoon hours. Expect a mix of sun and clouds with a few hit and miss storms by the latter half of the day. A weak front will slip into the area helping to spark scattered downpours. Lows will drop into the lower to middle 70s.  
 
FRIDAY: Expect more of the same to round of the work week – expect a mix of clouds and sun with the opportunity of scattered showers and storms to develop through the afternoon hours. This will come by way of a bit of a squeeze play with a surge of tropical moisture and an approaching front from the north. Highs will top out in the upper 80s to lower 90s. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Tropical moisture will surge northward by the end of the week and into the weekend. This will help to spark more scattered showers and storms, but at this point, still does not look to feature a complete washout. Even with that said, some of the storms that flare up through the weekend and into next week could produce heavy rain. As the moisture surge begins to exit to the east, expect rain chances to come back down and typical late August heat to hold firm, eventually drier out by the end of next week. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Steamy August Heat; Daily Storm Chances

WEDNESDAY: More August heat and humidity continue plague the forecast through the mid-part of the work week. Expect highs to push toward the lower 90s – again with heat indices approaching 102-108° by the afternoon.Scattered showers and storms will be possible at times as a weak disturbance pushes across the area. Most of the storms will fizzle after sunset with lows dropping into the lower to middle 70s. 
 
THURSDAY: A nearly typical mid-late August day on tap – after starting off warm and muggy, highs will rebound to the lower 90s by the afternoon hours. Expect a mix of sun and clouds with a few hit and miss storms by the latter half of the day.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Tropical moisture will surge northward by the end of the week and into the weekend. This will help to spark more scattered showers and storms, but at this point, still does not look to feature a complete washout. Even with that said, some of the storms that flare up through the weekend and into next week could produce heavy rain.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Hot, Steamy August Afternoon Ahead

TUESDAY: Another warm start will yield a hot and humid finish for your Tuesday. After starting in the middle 70s, highs will push for the lower to middle 90s by Tuesday afternoon. Feels like temperatures will push past 105° in many instances as rain chances may come at a premium through the afternoon hours.  
 
WEDNESDAY: More August heat and humidity continue plague the forecast through the mid-part of the work week. Expect highs to push toward the middle 90s – again with heat indices approaching 105-110° by the afternoon. Widely spaced showers and storms will be possible by the afternoon amid a mix of sun and clouds.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: Our typical August pattern will continue through Thursday with highs in the lower to middle 90s. We’ll run the risk of a few showers and storms by the afternoon. Tropical moisture will surge northward by the end of the week and into the weekend. This will help to spark more scattered showers and storms, but at this point, still does not look to feature a complete washout.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Steamy August Days Ahead

MONDAY: A warm and muggy start to your work week – expect mostly to partly sunny skies to start off the day. Eventually, heating up to the lower 90s will yield scattered showers and storms to develop by the afternoon hours. If you don’t see any storms, the heat and humidity will likely push the heat index closer to 105°. Storms, like Sunday night, may have a bit of staying power after sunset as lows drop into the middle 70s. 
 
TUESDAY: Another warm start will yield a hot and humid finish for your Tuesday. After starting in the middle 70s, highs will push for the lower to middle 90s by Tuesday afternoon. Feels like temperatures will push past 105° in many instances as rain chances may come at a premium through the afternoon hours.  
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: A typical summer pattern will continue to be the offering through this week – expect a mix of sun and clouds with a chance for afternoon showers and storms. Highs will top out in the lower to middle 90s; feels like temperatures in the lower 100s. Rain chances will tick up a bit into the upcoming weekend as a few disturbances roll past the region. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx