A Freeze Tonight & Some Blog Issues:
* Hello from North Alabama:
* Top weather story this weekend is the weekend freeze as cooler weather has well established itself across the Twin States. Expect a very cold night tonight with upper 20s and lower 30s across the area and a little colder Sunday and Monday morning. Scan down the blog for an update on the current freeze advisories for our area
* Driving up 59/20 though East Mississippi and well into Alabama this morning I noticed the rains have helped green up things but these chilly temperatures are going to keep the atmosphere dry so I would not be surprised to see some fire issues so please be careful if you plan any outdoor burning. I know most of the burn bans have been dropped in our area but I would still say use some caution.
* Quick note about our weather blog. I want to apologize for not updating the blog this week. WTOK, our sister stations across the country, and our parent company Gray TV got hit by a nasty internet virus last weekend that has caused major computer problems in the weather center and here with your weather blog. Our company is in the process of getting the bugs out this week and as a precaution has limited internet access to some websites. It just happens that the site that hosts our weather blog is one that we cannot get to at work so I am not able to update at the station. This may last a bit longer until we get full internet access back but I will do my best to update the blog when at home or when I have access to another internet service. I want to take a minute to thank Rob Hart our weekend meteorologist for assisting me with updating the blog this week. He helped me out this morning adding the freeze advisories graphic on the blog and did a great job helping update the other night during our inclement weather. I’m glad to have him on our team!
* Ashley will be in for me tonight covering the evening newscasts and Rob will update you over the weekend. Be sure to tune in for the latest on the Easter cold snap with them over the weekend. I want to take a minute to wish you and your family a wonderful and safe Easter holiday. I’ll be back with you Monday morning bright and early on Good Morning Meridian!
Labels: Forecast Discussion
Protecting Plants and Crops
This link
http://www.humeseeds.com/wntrng2.htm has a lot of good information on how to protect your plants from freezing temperatures. It not only lists how to take precautions, but also gives ideas/tips for specific types of plants and flowers. I recommend checking out the link if you have some plants that you dont' want to have damaged.
Freeze Watches and Warnings Continue
*Click on Image Above to Enlarge*
* Freeze Watches and Warnings are in effect throughout the viewing area. Record cold lows may be experienced tonight, Saturday night, and Sunday night. I think that later today, and especially tomorrow night, the entire WTOK viewing area will be under a freeze warning. Lows for the next few nights should dip into the upper 20s across all of the area, with mid-20s possible in Winston and Noxubee counties.
* The record low for tomorrow in Meridian is 32 degrees. I think that will easily be broken. The only limiting factor for the unusual cold could be the development of some high level cirrus clouds. But right now that doesn't seem to be too much of a factor for tonight.
* Ashley will have the latest in her forecast coming up this evening on Newscenter11 at 5, 6, and 10pm.
Freeze Watch Issued
* A FREEZE WATCH is in effect for most of the viewing area for Friday night and Saturday morning. High pressure will begin to influence our weather as we head towards the weekend. This will lead to clear skies and calm conditions at night, which will help cold air move into the area. Temperatures will be around 30 degrees at sunrise on Saturday morning. Far northern areas of the viewing area may briefly dip into the upper 20s. Below freezing temperatures may also occur Sunday and Monday nights.
* Chris will have his full forecast coming up tonight on Newcenter 11 at 5, 6, and 10pm.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Smith County
* A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for SMITH COUNTY until 5am. The main threat with this storm is hail to the size of quarters. There are two areas of concern. The first is in the northwestern part of the county, near Polkville. The other area is in the eastern part of the county, between Raleigh and Sylvarena.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... RANKIN COUNTY IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI... SMITH COUNTY IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
* UNTIL 500 AM CDT
* AT 358 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 5 MILES SOUTH OF PELAHATCHIE...OR ABOUT 13 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MORTON...AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 25 MPH.
* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... RALEIGH BY 435 AM CDT...
HIGH WINDS CAN BRING DOWN TREES AND LARGE LIMBS RESULTING IN SERIOUSINJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OUTDOORSDURING SUCH STRONG WINDS...AND BE ESPECIALLY AWARE OF OLDER TREES.
More Storm Reports
* Nickel size hail was reported in Marion (Lauderdale County) when the line of storms moved through. Some trees were also blown down in Newton (Newton County) earlier this morning.
* Take is slow and easy if you're going to be on the roads this morning. The rain has made some roads slick (from oil washing off the roads, etc) and there may be some small tree limbs/branches that have blown onto the roadways.
* We have not received any reports of damage or injuries tonight. So that is always a good thing when we have severe weather!
* Currently, the line of storms continues to weaken, but are still relatively strong in Jasper and Clarke counties in Mississippi, and Choctaw, southern Marengo, and northern Clarke counties in Alabama. Bay Springs, Quitman, Butler, and Grove Hill may experience hail to the size of dimes and wind gusts up to 40mph as this line moves southeast at about 30mph.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Continues for Smith County
A severe thunderstorm warning continues until 4am for northeastern Smith County. This storm may produce hail up to the size of pennies, as well as wind gusts up to 60mph. Residents in Jasper County should pay attention to this storm as it is moving into the northwestern part of the county.
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM CDTFOR SMITH COUNTY...
AT 336 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE TRACKINGA SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL...ANDDAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 12 MILESEAST OF WHITE OAK...OR ABOUT 14 MILES SOUTHEAST OF FOREST...MOVINGEAST AT 20 MPH.
HIGH WINDS CAN BRING DOWN TREES AND LARGE LIMBS RESULTING IN SERIOUSINJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OUTDOORSDURING SUCH STRONG WINDS...AND BE ESPECIALLY AWARE OF OLDER TREES.
Warning Cancelled for Lauderdale County
* The severe thunderstorm warning for Lauderdale County (and Meridian) has been cancelled by the National Weather Service. The storm has weakened below severe limits.
* Other strong storms are moving into Jasper and Clarke counties in Mississippi. Expect heavy rain, dangerous lightning, and small hail with these storms as they move to the southeast.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Continues for Newton County
A severe thunderstorm warning continues for Newton County until 3:45am. This storm produced nickel size hail in the town of Hickory.
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 AM CDTFOR NEWTON COUNTY...
AT 327 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE TRACKINGA SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING NICKEL SIZE HAIL. THISSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR LAWRENCE...OR ABOUT 7 MILES WEST OF NEWTON...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 15 MPH.
THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... NEWTON BY 340 AM CDT...
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Continues for Lauderdale County
* A severe storm warning continues for Lauderdale County, and the City of Merdian, until 4am. The storm has diminished in intensity some, but is still capable of producing nickel size hail. Email your storm reports to me at
rob.hart@wtok.com...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM CDTFOR LAUDERDALE COUNTY...
AT 323 AM CDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS REPORTED CAPABLE OFPRODUCING NICKEL SIZE HAIL. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MERIDIAN...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.
THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... 7 MILES SOUTH OF EXIT 160 AT RUSSELL BY 335 AM CDT... LAUDERDALE AND WHYNOT BY 345 AM CDT... 6 MILES SOUTH OF ZERO BY 350 AM CDT...
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Smith County
* A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for SMITH COUNTY until 4am. This storm is currently capable of producing hail up to the size of quarters as it moves to the southeast at 20mph.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... SMITH COUNTY IN CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
* UNTIL 400 AM CDT
* AT 319 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES NORTHEAST OF WHITE OAK...OR ABOUT 12 MILES SOUTH OF FOREST...AND MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.
* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... 9 MILES NORTH OF SYLVARENA BY 340 AM CDT...
HIGH WINDS CAN BRING DOWN TREES AND LARGE LIMBS RESULTING IN SERIOUSINJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OUTDOORSDURING SUCH STRONG WINDS...AND BE ESPECIALLY AWARE OF OLDER TREES
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lauderdale County
* A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING has been issued for LAUDERDALE COUNTY, including the City of Meridian, until 4am. Hail to the size of quarters is possible with this storm. The worst part of this storm (as of typing) is currently over the City of Meridian.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... LAUDERDALE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF MERIDIAN...
* UNTIL 400 AM CDT
* AT 305 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MERIDIAN...AND MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... EXIT 160 AT RUSSELL BY 320 AM CDT... EXIT 165 AT TOOMSUBA AND TOOMSUBA BY 325 AM CDT... ZERO...WHYNOT AND LAUDERDALE BY 330 AM CDT...
HIGH WINDS CAN BRING DOWN TREES AND LARGE LIMBS RESULTING IN SERIOUSINJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OUTDOORSDURING SUCH STRONG WINDS...AND BE ESPECIALLY AWARE OF OLDER TREES.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Newton County
*The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for NEWTON COUNTY until 3:45am. The main threat with this storm will be large hail up to the size of quarters, as it moves to the southeast at 25mph. Decatur and Hickory are in the path of this storm.
*THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... NEWTON COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF NEWTON...
* UNTIL 345 AM CDT
* AT 301 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR DECATUR...OR ABOUT 7 MILES NORTH OF NEWTON...AND MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.
* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... HICKORY BY 320 AM CDT... EXIT 121 AT CHUNKY AND CHUNKY BY 330 AM CDT...
HIGH WINDS CAN BRING DOWN TREES AND LARGE LIMBS RESULTING IN SERIOUSINJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OUTDOORSDURING SUCH STRONG WINDS...AND BE ESPECIALLY AWARE OF OLDER TREES.
Hail in Leake County
* Nickel size hail was reported in Leake County about two miles west of Edinburg at about 2:40 this morning.
Strong Storm Affecting Lauderdale County
* A strong storm is moving into/through Lauderdale County. Expect hail up to dimes, and winds gusting to 40mph with this storm. Dangerous lightning and very heavy rain are also possible. This storm is moving to the southeast at about 40mph.
* The worst part of the storm should stay to the east of the City of Meridian.
* Another strong storm, possibly producing hail up to the size of dimes, is currently moving through Livingston County, AL
Strong Storm in Sumter County
*A strong storm continues to affect northern and eastern Sumter County, AL, as well as southern Greene County. Expect hail up to one-half inch in diameter, wind gusts between 35-45mph, and dangerous lightning. This storm is moving south at 40mph and will affect Livingston in Sumter County.
Winston County Warning Allowed to Expire
*The National Weather Service is going to let the warning for Winston County expire at 2:30. The storm, while still strong, has weakened below severe limits.
*Expect wind gusts up to 50mph with this storm, pea size hail, heavy rain, and dangerous lightning.
*Other strong storms are currently moving through Noxubee, Neshoba, and Kemper Counties in Mississippi as well as Sumter, and Greene Counties in Alabama. Expect wind gusts up to 50mph, pea size hail, heavy rain, and lightning with these storms as well.
*This entire line should once again begin to slowly weaken as it progesses to the South.
*Expect the line to be into the Meridian area around 4am.
Newton/Hale/Greene Countiesa Update
*Click for Larger Image*
*The storm over Newton County continues to show signs of slow instensification. Expect hail up to the size of dimes if you encounter this storm...as it moves to the southeast at about 30mph. The town of Decatur, MS could potentially encounter this storm.
*Another strong area of storms is along the Greene/Hale County line in Alabama. Those areas can also expect hail up to the size of dimes.
Winston County Update
*The National Weather Service is continuing the SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for WINSTON COUNTY until 2:30am.
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 AM CDTFOR WINSTON COUNTY...
AT 154 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE TRACKINGA SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING NICKEL SIZE HAIL...ANDDAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.
THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEARLOUISVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.
THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... RURAL WINSTON COUNTY AT 210 AM CDT
*Other strong storms are currently moving through Noxubee and Pickens Counties, though they are not quite as strong as the storm in Winston County.
*Another storm is beginning to develop in northwestern Newton County, and may begin to slowly strengthen.
Winston County Update
*The strongest part of the storm is currently over Louisville...and is moving east/southeast at 30mph. Expect hail up to one inch in diameter, as well as wind gusts up to 60mph.
*People in Noxubee County should stay alert to this storm, as it is currently heading that way.
Weather Reports
Since computer problems are still plaguing the WTOK Weather Center, you may email me your weather reports at
rob.hart@wtok.com and I will pass them along to Chris.
Winston County: Severe Thunderstorm Warning
*The Nat'l Weather Service in Jackson has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Winston County until 2:30am. Expect large damaging hail, up to golf ball size, and winds up to 60mph.
*THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... WINSTON COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE...
* UNTIL 230 AM CDT
* AT 136 AM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES WEST OF LOUISVILLE...AND MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... LOUISVILLE BY 150 AM CDT...
*HIGH WINDS CAN BRING DOWN TREES AND LARGE LIMBS RESULTING IN SERIOUSINJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN OUTDOORSDURING SUCH STRONG WINDS...AND BE ESPECIALLY AWARE OF OLDER TREES.
Weather Update: Winston, Noxubee, Pickens
*The line of storms has weakened considerably. A "gust front" has moved ahead of the main line of storms, which means that the storms will weaken more. However, the "gust front" could cause some more storms to develop out ahead of it. The winds were sustained between 30-40mph when the gust front moved through Starkville, along with some pea size hail. Expect this gust front to move through Pickens County, AL and Winston and Noxubee Counties in Mississippi over the next 20 minutes.
*Main threats: Wind gusts between 30-40mph and pea size hail.
Storms Continue Southward
* Storms are actually intensifying slightly, with some severe thunderstorm warnings being issued, as they began to advance southward towards the US-82 corridor. Hail and high winds are the main threats at this time. Expect a gradual weakening as they approach the viewing area (hopefully)!
Weather Update:
(11:20 PM Columbus AFB Radar - Click for Larger View)
* Hi everyone. I apologize for being absent on the blog today and tonight. We have had major issues with our computer graphics system at the station. I am also with limited internet so I am not able to update the blog. I've ran home a few minutes to use the internet and to get ready for the storms overnight.
* I want to thank our weekend meteorologist Rob Hart, who is up in Starkville, for the excellent job keeping the blog going tonight since I am not able to update from WTOK. He will keep the blog going tonight to help me out.
* Quick notes.... Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Winston and Noxubee County in East Mississippi and Pickens County in West Alabama until 5:00 AM. Our warning alert maps on ABC 11 and FOX Meridian are not airing as we are having some issues. We're working on this problem...
* As you can see from the radar above the line of strong storms is running roughly along US 72 over North Mississippi and Alabama. There are storms forming along outflow boundaries ahead of the main lines. These storms bear some watching as the move southward as well.
* I expect the line of storms to reach our northern viewing area between 2 and 3 AM and the MS 16 corridor around 4 and I-20/US 80 toward 5. The watch is out until 5:00 AM and if the storms continue strong a new watch will probably be issued later this morning including the rest of our viewing area.
* One more issue is the radar on wtok.com/weather. The computer issue is still not resolved with the radar so no updated images are feeding to the website. Please use these radar links for current images:
Jackson NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=dgx&product=N0R&loop=noBirmingham NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=bmx&product=N0R&loop=noMobile NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=mob&product=N0R&loop=no* I'm heading back to the station here in a bit so I will without internet. Rob is going to continue to update you on the weather overnight here on the blog. I'll be with you on Newscenter 11 and FOX Meridian if warnings are issued overnight.
Labels: Forecast Discussion
Severe Weather Reports & Update
*A lot of severe weather reports have been received today. As of typing, there have been 4 reported tornadoes, 95 wind reports, and 360 hail reports! That is a lot of hail!!
*So far, the largest hail reported has been 4.25" (between grapefruit and softball size) in both Priceville, Kentucky and Pinnacle Mountain, Arkansas. That size of hail can cause create injury if it happens to strike you. Remember, during severe thunderstorms you want to get to the lowest floor of the building, away from outside walls and windows. While we are not expecting any hail to be that large in the viewing area, we could see some hail approaching upwards of two inches...along with some strong wind gusts up to 60mph.
*The line of thunderstorms is still well to the north (click the image above to make it larger to view), but it is moving southward. Currently, the strongest winds are moving through Tupelo. There are some thunderstorm warnings out in Alabama, but none in the state of Mississippi (as of while I'm typing). Still looks like the line will continue to weaken as it moves south. So, hopefully we'll just see some nice rain with some embedded thunder and breezes.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 5am
*A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the far northern counties of the viewing area, including Winston and Noxubee Counties, until 5am.
*A strong squall line is along the TN/MS border, moving southward. It looks like the storms should be into the northern part of the viewing area between 1am and 3am, and exiting the southern part of the area by sunrise. Main threats with these storms will be large hail and damaging winds. One good thing is that the storms should weaken as they approach the area. So, hopefully any strong storms in the area won't be widespread. But, as always, it can take only one storm to produce significant damage.
*If you have a weather radio, make sure it is on and set to alert you before you go to bed tonight.
*Chris will have updates on WTOK throughout the night, as well as in his weathercast on Newscenter11 @ 10 news (in a few minutes). I'll have more updates throughout the night.
Storms Overnight in Mississippi
*There have been over 300 reports of severe hail across the nation today! A moderate risk continues in extreme northern Mississippi, with a slight risk continuing for the northern half of the WTOK viewing area.
*An impressive line of severe thunderstorms currently extends across the state of Tennessee into Arkansas. This line has haid NUMEROUS reports of large hail, ranging upwards of two inches in some areas! Within the past couple of hours, the line has also shown some signs of "bowing" outward, which is a red flag for damaging winds. The line should begin to move southward towards Mississippi. As the storms approach the WTOK viewing area, they should begin to slowly weaken. While we should only see a few isolated to widely scattered severe storms, I would not be surprised if parts of the area (mainly the northern half) are placed under a severe weather watch later tonight.
*At this time, it looks like the greatest risk of seeing severe weather will be in the northern and western parts of the viewing area, with the main time frame being after midnight. One good thing coming out of this system is that we will all see some rain again. Several locations saw 1-2" last weekend, but some areas saw very little. We still need more rain and it looks like we will get it.
*Chris will have a full update and forecast tonight at 10, and I'll continue to post updates on the blog as needed.
Station Computer Woes Continue
*Major computer problems have struck the WTOK Weather Center. Chris is very busy trying to get the computers back to normal (that's why he has not been posting on the blog). Don't worry, however, if there are any watches or warnings he will be on-the-air with the latest information. But, in the meantime, I'll post updates on here as needed.
*Hopefully everyone's evening is going well. This time tomorrow it will be much cooler as highs will only reach the low 70s, with temperatures falling into the 60s in the evening!
Thundershower Moving Through Leake County
*A small thundershower is currently moving through Leake County. The heaviest rain will be across northern and northeastern portions of the county. Expect heavy rain and occasional lightning as the thundershower passes by.
*More significant storms will be possible after midnight tonight.
Thundershowers Possible This Evening
*Some scattered thunderstorms have developed across the viewing area this evening. Right now, the heaviest of the activity is to the east of Butler in Choctaw County, as well as to the northeast of Philadelphia in Neshoba County.
*All areas have a chance of seeing a shower this evening. Expect some locally heavy rain, occasional lightning, and perhaps some pea size hail and a wind gust with any of these storms.
*Most of these showers/storms should diminish around sunset. However, expect more significant rainfall/storms to move back into the area after midnight.
WTOK Internet Radar
* We are still having some internet server problems at the station this week, so there are times that the radar on the weather page wil not be updating. These problems are out of the weather team's hands, which can be quite frustrating. It's very frustrating to us when we are unable to get all possible information out to our viewers.
In the meantime, please use these links to check radar:
Jackson NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=dgx&product=N0R&loop=no
Birmingham NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=bmx&product=N0R&loop=no
Mobile NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=mob&product=N0R&loop=no
Strong Thunderstorms Possible Later Tonight!
*Some strong, to perhaps severe, thunderstorms will be possible across portions of the WTOK viewing area later tonight.
*The Storm Prediction Center has placed the northern half of the viewing area under a slight risk of severe weather, mainly for after midnight tonight. A strong cold front will approach the area after dark tonight. The atmosphere has been very warm with sufficient moisture for thunderstorms. As the front approaches, that will provide just enough "lift" to the air to get some thunderstorms to develop. The best chance of severe weather will be along and north of I-20, especially the further north you go. However, all of the area has the chance of seeing a strong thunderstorm. The main threat with any storms tonight will be hail.
*The thinking right now is that an impressive line of severe thunderstorms will move into Mississippi, especially across the Delta Region, but as they progess south and east, they should gradually diminish. But, as always, keep an eye to the sky, to this blog, as well as Chris Whited who will have updates, as needed, this evening on WTOK.
*Here's the lastest Hazardous Weather Outlook from the Nat'l Weather Service in Jackson, MS:
A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER THE AREA STARTING THIS AFTERNOON AHEAD OF A STRONG COLD FRONT APPROACHING THE REGION. THE AIRMASS HAS BECOME VERY UNSTABLE THIS AFTERNOON ALTHOUGH WIND SHEAR WILL REMAIN ON THE WEAK SIDE UNTIL THE FRONT ARRIVES TONIGHT. THE MAIN RISK FROM THESE STORMS WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH...MAINLY ALONG AND NORTH OF A NATCHEZ...TO JACKSON...TO DE KALB LINE. ELSEWHERE ACROSS THE OUTLOOK AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 40 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE.
SCATTERED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE ALONG AND NORTH OF A GRENADA...TO GREENVILLE...TO CROSSETT LINE THIS EVENING INTO TONIGHT WHERE THE BEST COMBINATION OF SHEAR AND INSTABILITY WILL EXIST ALONG AND AHEAD OF THE BOUNDARY. ISOLATED SEVERE STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE TONIGHT GENERALLY NORTHWEST OF A WINNSBORO LOUISIANA TO CANTON TO PHILADELPHIA MISSISSIPPI LINE AS THE STRONG COLD FRONT CONTINUES TO SWEEP SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE REGION. OUR UNSTABLE AIR MASS WILL COMBINE WITH ADEQUATE MOISTURE AND LOCALIZED HIGHER WIND SHEAR TO CREATE THE PROPER CONDITIONS FOR THESE STORMS ALONG THE FRONT. THE LINE OF STORMS SHOULD GRADUALLY WEAKEN LATER TONIGHT AS IT MOVES THROUGH CENTRAL AND SOUTH MISSISSIPPI. HOWEVER... STRONG STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE OVER THE ENTIRE OUTLOOK AREA TONIGHT. THE MAIN RISK WILL CONTINUE TO BE LARGE HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO 65 MPH.
Rain Chances & Cooler Weather
* Rain and thunderstorms will be possible tomorrow afternoon with a disturbance moving in from Texas and Louisana. There will be plenty of low level moisture in place. Some storms could be strong but I don't expect an organized severe weather event. Having said that I will note the Day 2 SPC outlook has a slight risk roughly from a Greenville-Greenwood-Starkville- Columbus (US Hwy 82 Corridor) and points to the north tomorrow afternoon and evening. Showers and thunderstorms will form along the cold front as it advances southward arriving along the I-20/US 80 corridor early Wednesday morning. Any strong storms should weaken as they drop south toward Central and East Central Mississippi and West Alabama.
* Nice shot of cool air in place behind the front as daytime highs drop from the middle 80s now to the lower and middle 60s by the end of the week. Overnight lows will be chilly with middle and upper 30s.
* Easter weekend: Another system will affect the Twin States on Good Friday so look for a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms. Saturday and Sunday look great with partly cloudy skies and cool highs in the 60s with overnight lows in the middle 30s. Sunrise services Sunday morning will be quite chilly.
* More on your forecast tonight at 10:00 on Newscenter 11 and tomorrow morning on Good Morning Meridian...
Labels: Forecast Discussion
Welcome To April... Wetter and Cooler:
* Good morning everyone... Dense fog across the Twin State area this morning thanks to the moisture left from the rains over the weekend. A dense fog advisory is in effect until 10:00 AM for counties in East Mississippi... Scan the blog entry below for more on the fog.
* A front is stalled across Northern Mississippi this morning and will keep us in the warm and moist airmass across our part of the Twin States. Southerly flow will help kick off isolated showers and thunderstorms today and tonight across the area.
* A stronger cold front is due in here later in the week and will bring another round of rain and storms to be followed by a cool snap in time for Easter. Temperatures are going to hold into the 80s a few days and drop back into the upper 60s and lower 70s by the end of the week. Nighttime lows by the end of the weekend and into Easter weekend will drop into the 30s.
* Long range models are still hinting at April being a wet and cooler period for Mississippi and Alabama...
* Weather page radar: Still having issues with the radar updating on our wtok.com weather page. In the meantime please uses these links for the latest radar images:
Jackson NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=dgx&product=N0R&loop=noBirmingham NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=bmx&product=N0R&loop=noMobile NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=mob&product=N0R&loop=no* I'll have more on Good Morning Meridian and tonight at 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00...
Labels: Forecast Discussion
Dense Fog Advisory Until 10:00 AM
* The NWS in Jackson has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for all of our counties in East Mississippi unil 10:00 AM this morning. The NWS in Mobile also has Wayne and Choctaw County under the advisory until 10:00 AM as well
WIDESPREAD DENSE FOG HAS FORMED OVER THE AREA RESTRICTING VISIBILITIES TO BELOW A QUARTER OF A MILE. THE DENSE FOG IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN TO BURN OFF BETWEEN 9 AND 10 AM CDT.
A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BEREDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING...SLOW DOWN...USE YOUR HEADLIGHTS...AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU.
Labels: Weather Advisory
WTOK Weather Webpage Radar Issue:
* We've had internet server problems at the station this weekend so many of you have noted to me that the radar on the weather page is not updating. With the server issues the new radar images are not loading to the server.
In the meantime, please use these links to check radar:
Jackson NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=dgx&product=N0R&loop=noBirmingham NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=bmx&product=N0R&loop=noMobile NWS Radar:
http://radar.weather.gov/radar_lite.php?rid=mob&product=N0R&loop=noLabels: Forecast Discussion
Final Numbers For March:
* It was nice to see the rain Saturday but it wasn't as much as we wanted. Officially Key Field only recorded 0.14" of rain. Some of you did pick up higher totals.
* Here is the drought update:
March:
Recorded: 0.52"
Normal: 6.93"
Departure: -6.41"
2007:
Recorded: 6.28"
Normal: 18.20"
Departure: -11.92"
Labels: Forecast Discussion
