MS News Now, First Alert Weather Blog

Fake Fall Falters, Summer Returns

FRIDAY: Our quiet pattern persists to round out the work week – as moisture filters in more and more, expect to see a high supply of sunshine but also puffy cumulus clouds dotting the skies. Highs will top out in the upper 80s and lower 90s after starting off in the mild 60s.  

WEEKEND PLANNER: High pressure will begin shifting farther east through the weekend, but will still hold firm in keeping our weather dry through much of the weekend. Expect highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s with gradually muggier air filtering into the region amid mostly sunny skies. A rogue shower or two can’t be ruled out south of US 84. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: With high pressure anchoring itself off to our east, expect a continued Gulf moisture flow into the region, helping to raise humidity levels into the weekend. We’ll stay summery warm into the last official days of the season and mainly dry through mid-next week. Expect highs in the lower to middle 90s; lows in the upper 60s and lower 70s. 
 
TALKIN’ TROPICS: Tropical Storm Fiona continues to trek westward and will be nearing the northern Leeward Islands by late Friday. In the extended range, the forecast turns a bit more uncertain as the storm treks into the Caribbean. A track over the mountainous islands of the Greater Antilles will likely shear the storm apart, but a few miles north or south of the island could be a catalyst for maintaining or further strengthening. As of now, nothing we need to be concerned about, but we’ll keep a watchful eye.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Gradually Warmer, Gradually Muggier Days Ahead

THURSDAY: High pressure will slowly shift eastward through the day, helping to import a bit more moisture into the atmosphere. Sunshine will continue to be in high supply with mild morning 60s giving way to afternoon highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. We’ll stay clear overnight with lows in the lower to middle 60s.  


FRIDAY: Our quiet pattern persists to round out the work week – as moisture filters in more and more, expect to see a high supply of sunshine but also puffy cumulus clouds dotting the skies. Highs will top out in the upper 80s and lower 90s after starting off in the mild 60s.  

 
EXTENDED FORECAST: With high pressure anchoring itself off to our east, expect a continued Gulf moisture flow into the region, helping to raise humidity levels into the weekend. Expect sunny to partly sunny skies into the weekend with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. An isolated shower or two could sneak in for areas near and south of US 84 – though, most will stay dry. We’ll stay summery warm into the last official days of the season and mainly dry through mid-next week. 
 
TALKIN’ TROPICS: Tropical Storm Fiona continues to trek westward and will be nearing the northern Leeward Islands by Friday. In the extended range, the forecast turns a bit more uncertain as the storm treks into the Caribbean. A track over the mountainous islands of the Greater Antilles will likely shear the storm apart, but a few miles north or south of the island could be a catalyst for maintaining or further strengthening. As of now, nothing we need to be concerned about, but we’ll keep a watchful eye.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx 

Warming Trend Commences

WEDNESDAY: High pressure is still in control, keeping our pattern quiet, dry – yet, trending warmer. After a cool start, we’ll get a quick warm up amid the drier air in place. Sunshine will push temperatures back up into the 80s to near 90. Skies stay clear overnight with lows in the lower to, a few, middle 60s. 


THURSDAY: High pressure will slowly shift eastward through the day, helping to import a bit more moisture into the atmosphere. Sunshine will continue to be in high supply with mild morning 60s giving way to afternoon highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s.  

 
EXTENDED FORECAST: With high pressure anchoring itself off to our east, expect a continued Gulf moisture flow into the region, helping to raise humidity levels gradually into the weekend. Expect sunny to partly sunny skies Friday and into the weekend with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. An isolated shower or two could sneak in for areas near and south of US 84 – though, most will stay dry. We’ll stay summery warm into the last official days of the season and mainly dry through mid-next week. 

TALKIN' TROPICS: A tropical wave in the Main Development Region of the Atlantic continues to trek westward at decent clip and now has a HIGH chance for development within the next 48 hours, if not, then within the next few days. Wind shear isn't going to do the system any favors in the short term, but if it can persist and become a bit more organized, it could quickly become a tropical depression. Its westward trek will take it over the northern Leeward Islands and western Greater Antilles by this weekend - that could bring gusty winds and squalls. As of now, we are quiet in the Gulf and expected to remain that way in the next 7 days. We'll keep an eye on this system's evolution in the next few days.

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

Cool Mornings, Warm Afternoons Mid-Week

TUESDAY: After a cool start that could inspire some to grab a jacket, we’ll quickly race, with sunshine back toward the middle to, a few, upper 80s. Low humidity values will keep heat stress issues in check under the dome of high pressure. We’ll bottom out, under mainly clear skies, in the upper 50s and lower 60s again. 



WEDNESDAY: High pressure remains in control, keeping our pattern quiet, dry – yet, trending warmer. After a cool start, we’ll get a quick warm up amid the drier air in place. Sunshine will push temperatures back up into the 80s to near 90. Skies remain clear overnight with lows in the lower to, a few, middle 60s. 

 
EXTENDED FORECAST: High pressure will continue to hold firm through the week ahead, keeping the pattern quiet. Expect highs in the 80s to near 90, at times amid mostly to partly sunny skies. Humidity levels will gradually sneak upward. A rogue shower or two could mix in, south of US 84 by late week and into the weekend, but most indications suggest a mainly dry pattern.  


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

Much Drier Air Filters Into Mississippi Early Week

MONDAY: A cold front is poised to move through central and southwest Mississippi to kick off the new work week – gradually, humidity levels will begin to drop through the day on the heels of a fresh light north breeze. High pressure will quickly settle in, bringing sunshine and highs in the lower to middle 80s. Expect clear skies overnight with lows dipping into the upper 50s and lower 60s – a cool, comfortable night ahead.  



TUESDAY: After a cool start that could inspire some to grab a jacket, we’ll quickly race, with sunshine back toward the middle to, a few, upper 80s. Low humidity values will keep heat stress issues in check under the dome of high pressure. We’ll bottom out, under mainly clear skies, in the upper 50s and lower 60s again. 
 
EXTENDED FORECAST: High pressure will continue to hold firm through the week ahead, keeping the pattern quiet. Expect highs in the 80s to near 90, at times amid mostly to partly sunny skies. Humidity levels remain low enough through the week that heat stress shouldn’t be much of, if any, factor. A rogue shower or two could mix in, south of US 84 by late week, but most indications suggest a mainly dry pattern.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Rain, Storms Return Friday; Unsettled Weekend Before Taste of Fall Next Week

FRIDAY: Along a stalled front, an area of low pressure will help to spin in tropical moisture again. This will fuel higher chances for showers and storms. Expect more clouds in the skies with highs in the middle 80s; some of the downpours could be heavy at times as they move from east to west. Locally heavy rains could lead to localized flooding, especially in areas east of I-55. Storms will tend to fade in coverage late with lows in the upper 60s and lower 70s.  


WEEKEND PLANNER: With the upper low hanging over the region, it’ll keep our pattern unsettled through Saturday and Sunday. While neither day will feature a complete washout, expect scattered storms amid partly sunny to variably cloudy skies to continue with highs in the middle 80s, lows in the upper 60s to lower 70s. If storms are slow to move, localized flooding could become a concern. Coverage of rain will start to taper by late Sunday as the upper low starts its move out the region.  
 
EXTENDED RANGE: A sweeping front will head through the region by Monday – sparking a few showers late but will usher in much drier air to take us through the week ahead. Expect highs in the 80s with sunshine in the afternoon with lows well into the 60s. Some cooler pockets by early Tuesday and Wednesday morning could dip into the upper 50s. A slow modification of the airmass will bring us near normal again by week’s end. 
 
TALKIN’ TROPICS: Danielle has transitioned to post-tropical status in the far northern Atlantic. The storm will loop around itself then head eastward toward Spain and Portugal. Closer to home, Hurricane Earl is edging past Bermuda this morning with a ramp up intensity as it turns out to sea. Out in the Main Development Region – three waves are trekking westward; all of which have low chances for development in the next 5 days and don’t look to have impacts for Caribbean or Gulf. 
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

 

 

Quiet Thursday; Unsettled Friday, Weekend Ahead

THURSDAY: In the wake of the front, expect a mix of sun and clouds – seasonable highs in the middle to upper 80s and a slight drop in humidity. With that, rain chances will tend to be bit lower, mainly for areas south of US 84. Even there, chances will be low. Expect partly clear to mostly cloudy skies overnight with lows in the 60s to lower 70s. A few showers may sneak in overnight into early Friday.  


FRIDAY: Along a stalled front, an area of low pressure will help to spin in tropical moisture again. This will fuel higher chances for showers and storms. Expect more clouds in the skies with highs in the middle 80s; some of the downpours could be heavy at times as they move from east to west. Storms will tend to fade late with lows in the upper 60s and lower 70s.   
EXTENDED RANGE: An upper low will pinwheel through much of the weekend. Periods of locally heavy rain can’t be ruled out, that could lead to localized flooding. Another front will give this system a push toward the east and behind this second system, a substantial push of drier Canadian air looks to invade the region by early next week.  

 
TALKIN’ TROPICS: Danielle has weakened to tropical storm status in the far northern Atlantic, slowly getting a nudge toward the northeast. The storm will loop around itself then head eastward toward Spain and Portugal. Closer to home, Hurricane Earl has made a turn northward. A gradual ramp up intensity in the coming days could bring the storm to ‘major’ hurricane status. For the most part, staying away from land – though, could be near Bermuda by late week. Out in the Main Development Region – two waves are trekking westward; the lead wave having a high development chance and another behind the first having a low chance.  
 Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Scattered Downpours Wednesday; Unsettled Pattern Continues

WEDNESDAY: The front will start to edge its way a bit farther to the east – but with its movement, we’ll see a bit more forcing to get a few more showers and storms to flare up. Outside of the afternoon storm development, expect a mix of sun and clouds – after patchy morning fog – with highs in the 80s to near 90. Pockets of heavy rainfall could be possible, keeping a risk for localized flooding in play. Most storms will fade within a few hours of sunset with lows in the upper 60s and lower 70s.  




 
THURSDAY: In the wake of the front, expect a mix of sun and clouds – seasonable highs in the middle to upper 80s and a slight drop in humidity. With that, rain chances will tend to be bit lower, mainly for areas south of US 84. Even there, chances will be low. Expect partly clear skies overnight with lows in the 60s to lower 70s.  
 
EXTENDED RANGE: An upper low will pinwheel over the region Friday, firing off higher rain chances through late week and into parts of the weekend. Periods of locally heavy rain can’t be ruled out, that could lead to localized flooding. Behind this system, a push of drier Canadian air looks to invade the region by early next week.

  
TALKIN’ TROPICS: Hurricane Danielle continues to meander in the far northern Atlantic, slowly getting a nudge toward the northeast. It is expected to maintain hurricane strength through mid-week before weakening. By early next week, it could get close to the British Isles. Closer to home, Hurricane Earl has made a turn northward. A gradual ramp up intensity in the coming days could bring the storm to ‘major’ hurricane status. For the most part, staying away from land – though, could be near Bermuda by late week. Out in the Main Development Region – two waves are trekking westward; the lead wave having a medium development chance and another behind the first having a low chance.  

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

Scattered Showers, Storms At Times Mid-Late Week

TUESDAY: As everyone starts heading back to work after the long holiday weekend, expect a ‘lather, rinse and repeat’ cycle to unfold. With a continued deep southerly flow, a mix of more clouds than sunshine will aid in the development of widely scattered showers and storms through the day. Any storms that are sluggish moving could yield pockets of localized flooding. Highs will top out in the middle to upper 80s. Most storms, again, will tend to fade after sunset with lows in the 70s. 


WEDNESDAY: The front will start to edge its way a bit farther to the east – but with its movement, we’ll see a bit more forcing to get a few more showers and storms to flare up. Outside of the afternoon storm development, expect a mix of sun and clouds with highs in the 80s to near 90. Pockets of heavy rainfall could be possible, keeping a risk for localized flooding in play. Most storms will fade after sunset with lows in the upper 60s and lower 70s.  
 
EXTENDED RANGE: Our persistent southerly flow and overall ‘sandwich’ pattern will keep periods of showers and storms in the forecast through much of the week ahead. Expect variably cloudy skies with highs in the 80s; lows in the upper 60s and lower 70s. An upper low will pinwheel over the region Friday, firing off higher rain chances through late week and into parts of the weekend. Periods of locally heavy rain can’t be ruled out, that could lead to localized flooding. Behind this system, a push of drier Canadian air looks to invade the region by early next week.  
 
TALKIN’ TROPICS: Hurricane Danielle continues to meander in the far northern Atlantic, slowly getting a nudge toward the northeast. It is expected to maintain hurricane strength through mid-week before weakening. By early next week, it could get close to the British Isles. Closer to home, Tropical Storm Earl is beginning to make a turn northward, ever so slowly. A gradual ramp up intensity in the coming days could bring the storm to ‘major’ hurricane status. For the most part, staying away from land – though, could be near Bermuda by late week.  
 
Patrick Ellis 
WLBT/FOX 40 First Alert Meteorologist 
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PatrickEllisWx

Sandwich Pattern Keeps Unsettled Weather In Place

LABOR DAY MONDAY: With a stalled boundary oriented over the area, expect a similar scenario to unfold as we’ve seen during the weekend. Sun will mix with clouds as temperatures running toward the middle to, a few, upper 80s. Slow moving scattered downpours that develop could lead to localized flooding concerns today as they trek from southwest to northeast. Many storms will tend fade after sunset with lows in the 70s.  


TUESDAY: As everyone starts heading back to work after the long holiday weekend, expect a ‘lather, rinse and repeat’ cycle to unfold. With a continued deep southerly flow, a mix of clouds and some sunshine will aid in the development of scattered showers and storms through the day. Highs will top out in the middle to upper 80s. Most storms, again, will tend to fade after sunset with lows in the 70s.  
 
EXTENDED RANGE: Our persistent southerly flow and overall ‘sandwich’ pattern will keep periods of showers and storms in the forecast through much of the week ahead. Expect variably cloudy skies with highs in the 80s; lows in the upper 60s and lower 70s. Periods of locally heavy rain can’t be ruled out, that could lead to localized flooding.  

 
TALKIN’ TROPICS: Hurricane Danielle continues to meander in the far northern Atlantic, slowly getting a nudge toward the northeast. It is expected to maintain hurricane strength through mid-week before weakening. By early next week, it could get close to the British Isles. Closer to home, Tropical Storm Earl is beginning to make a turn northward, ever so slowly. A gradual ramp up intensity in the coming days could bring the storm to ‘major’ hurricane status. For the most part, staying away from land – though, could be near Bermuda by late week.  

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