Saturday, July 16, 2011

Your Summer Source: Current Temps, Forecasts, Radar...Including Updated Weekly Weather Analysis

As We're Well Into A MS Summer, Aside From A Hurricane Becoming A Major Post Story, There's Not A Whole Lot To Share About...


I Have Chosen Instead To Place This Large Interactive Module From Accuweather Which Is A Great Source For Weather Information. This Module Will Always Have Current Temps, Radar, Daily Forecasts And More! I Will Most Week's Just Leave This Up And Add A Weekly Analysis Of The Weather Pattern That Takes A Look From The Day Of The Post Through About A 7-10 Day Perspective.

Current Weekly Analysis: Saturday Will Be The Last Day Of What Brought 5-6 Days Of Widespread Rain To Most Of Mississippi. We've Seen Numerous Tropical Showers and Thunderstorms Starting Anywhere From Late Morning To Early Afternoon Lasting Sometimes Late Into The Night Before They Fade. As High Pressure Moves In From The East This Will Shut Off The Tropical Summer Water Spigot; This Will Shift Us Into Drier And Warmer Air. From The Recent Rains We've Had The Ground Will Remain Very Moist; This Will Keep Us From Becoming A Heat Pump Like In Previous Weeks. Afternoon Rain Chances: 20% Or So, Perhaps 30% The Further South You Go From Central MS. As We Head Into The Latter Part Of The Week Into The Weekend We Will See High's Again Back Approaching Upper 90's. The Recent Rains Have Been Very Beneficial To MS And While We Dry Out, Our Neighbors To The West and Northwest Of Us: Texas-Canadian Border Are Going To See Daily High's At Or Above 100 With Heat Index's (110-115). That Will Be The National Weather Story This Week, As The Heat Encroaches Places So Far North Which Don't Typically Have Air Conditioning...Watching How Those Residents Cope. Just Be Glad While It Does Get Down Right Hot and Humid Down Here In MS & We've Already Broken Numerous High Temp Records Ourselves This Summer--That We Do Have Air Conditioning!

Have A Question, Comment, Want To See Something Added To The Blog, Or Perhaps A Weather Subject You Would Like Me To Do A Weather Web Post On Please Don't Hesitate To Do So In The Comment Box!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Heavy Rain, Possible Severe Weather Outbreak

So this time of year as we're in March with the weather changing (warmer, colder, rain) and in MS the start to our Spring Severe Weather Season. You can't help but remember the phrase "March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb!"

The National Weather Service in Jackson, MS has issued a Flash Flood Watch (auto-update graphic attached) for much of the Central MS Area. Widespread 2" rainfall totals are expected, with some area's could see 3-4" of rainfall between today and tomm morning:


Now, the heavy rainfall is pretty much a guarantee. What's not completely clear (as of the noon writing of this on tuesday), is the severe weather outbreak that will also be a part of this system. It certainly seems that the further south you go in the Gulf Coast Region the higher the chance for a possibly significant severe weather outbreak is possible. What's unclear at this hour is: 1.) How far North the severe weather threat/outbreak might materialize 2.) the exact timing on the storms 3.) the magnitude of the outbreak as/if it materializes.

The Storm Prediction Center is the national agency charged with the responsibility of monitoring the country for dangerous weather outbreaks, as well as issuing all the tornado/severe thunderstorm watches. They have (auto-updating graphic) placed parts of Central/South MS & LA under a Moderate risk of severe weather.


There's 3 categories: 1.) Slight, 2.) Moderate, 3.) High; you usually see a high risk issued only maybe a couple times a year. The Moderate risk for Tuesday is due to the confidence is growing that somewhere in the region we could see a severe weather outbreak with strong-violent as well as long tracked tornadoes.

When you put all this together, here's a map (auto-updating graphic) indicating the breakdown of possibly hazardous/severe weather across the region:


Now With Any Weather Situation: 1.) Heavy Rain, 2.) Winter Weather, 3.) Severe Weather it's an always evolving and sometimes quickly evolving situation!! My posts/blog is an attempt to break this situation down for you, and let you see what's out there. It's always imperative to stay tuned to local tv, emergency management, and NOAA weather radio to monitor for weather updates!!

I would imagine to see severe weather watches be posted for our area as the day/evening moves along. While there might be a strong thunderstorm (gusty winds 40-50 mph, small hail, etc) earlier in the day, it's expected that much later in the afternoon-evening that the severe weather threat will unfold.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Current Weather Headlines



Hope you enjoy!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Snow, Very Cold Temps, With A Bright Warmer Weekend

Anyone suffering winter fatigue yet in the deep south?  Tired of hearing about winter weather watches, warnings, and advisories?!  I can tell you make it through Wed Night/Thu AM, and into the early weekend and things will be night and day; much like things are today starting off for much of Central MS.

Clouds will quickly spread from west to east this afternoon with precipitation following as well.  For parts of NW MS (Greenwood, Greenville, Grenada--Along The Hwy 82 Corridor) most of those area's will start as snow with gusty winds.  As you transition from NW to SE across the state there will be snow then rain...and it will take time for the central ms area's to change from rain to snow.  This a quick moving but powerful winter storm system that will bring a 6 hour window for most places to see falling precipitation.  This event isn't like our previous winter weather storms---as there will be rain or snow or rain changing to snow--with no worries of freezing rain.  Temps will fall quickly as the clouds and precipitation shield pushes east and the day goes on.

Currently the forecast is: Snow should change over around the rush hour for Central MS (5-6 PM).  The farther North and West you go from Jackson the higher the totals will be.  It's possible for the Delta to see a solid 3-5 inches, with the Central MS area to see 1-2+ inches.  Farther South and East it will take the longest for the rain to change to snow, so there will be the chance for the more rain to be on the ground when the snow starts.  It will take those area's longer to see any accumulating snow to occur, so those area's might see along/north of Hwy 84 a dusting to maybe at best a 1" of snow accumulation.  As you travel from NW to SE across MS the snowfall accumulation totals will be dramatically different and there will be a sharp gradient from large accumulations to none.  As the temps will be fall to freezing and below overnight with many locations falling into the low-mid 20's....what falls earlier in the day/evening might have the chance to freeze up on the roadways some overnight and cause hazardous driving conditions early Thursday AM.  Elevated surfaces, bridges, overpasses, etc will be the primary concerned.

Currently most of NW/Central MS is under a Winter Storm Warning.  You may click on the following link to scroll to find your county/town for the specifics of totals/timing/impacts of this winter storm: Winter Storm Warning Details For Your County/City

Current graphical predictions for snow accumulations across the region (this map updates all day so anytime you view it the latest forecast is shown):

Current graphical timing of the freezing line, precipitation type, and expected times it should reach different parts of the Magnolia State (this map updates all day so anytime you view it the latest forecast is shown):


You may visit anytime the following link to the National Weather Service Jackson where you can click on your county or type in your zip code to see current forecasts, temps, and information regarding the winter storm by clicking:  National Weather Service Jackson, MS

Thursday and Friday will be cold, blustery, below average temp days with snow pack of large amounts directly to our northwest and a strong front changing our winds out of the northwest blowing over the cold snow will make temps for those two days VERY chilly.  However, by the weekend a warm-up starts and by the start of next week a lot of the MS area will see daytime High's in the 60's and Low's in the 40's.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

So Here We Are Again Facing Another Winter Storm

Ok Everyone Here We Go Again.....I do know that it will be cold, blustery, and we will be seeing winter weather for at least half of the State of Mississippi.  Like the last Winter Storm Threat we faced we aggravated some people based on the forecasts that were made and what occurred let me say this: forecasting weather is a science, and an inexact science at that.  As bold and robust as the technology is that we have today in the weather world, many people think that it would be just that easy to figure out what will happen and where, and it's simply not.  So we do our best to forecast things---and winter weather in the deep south will always be a precipitation amount and temperature challenge---and even for the best forecasters and best computers it's a struggle.  Remember also that what you get at your house, is not what will happen 50 miles in any direction from you, or 100 miles--so we try to break things down, and to also provide generalized graphics.  My attempt is to give you as much access to both sources.....So I will attempt to share with you the data that exists tonight as I write this, many of the pictures/forecasts I include in here auto-update as new forecasts are generated, and I will keep updates additionally on here and facebook as always.

There's a *WINTER STORM WARNING* In Effect For Much Of MS Which is in Effect depending on where you live from Thur AM to Fri AM----You may click on the bold colored link below and scroll through to find your county/town and it will better break down the expected timing and local expected impacts:

Winter Storm Warning Details---Find The Time/Impacts For Your Area

**FREQUENTLY UPDATED SECTION:** I will add every several hours updates here to what's being reported and going on. 5:45 PM Thu:  The precipitation stretches from a  line from Natchez-Vicksburg-Kosciusko-Columbus and South.  The band Central MS experienced in the early afternoon was enough to cause some bridges to accumulate ice and wrecks to happen.  I-55, I-20, I-220, And The Stack All Have Had Major Multiple Traffic Accidents. There will be breaks in the action for different area's but we expect the precipitation to significantly pick back up around **9PM through about 9 AM Fri** there will be significant bands of frozen precip to increase in coverage and intensity and parts of MS will be facing a crippling ice and winter weather scenario.   Weather Models Indicate That The Precip To Fall Over Central MS Overnight Will Almost Certainly Be All Freezing Rain Leading To A Solid 1/4-1/2+ of Ice.  Traffic and Travel Conditions will go downhill quickly---every one should complete travel and remain off the roads or if you have to be out use extreme caution.  The Low Pressure Around Houston, TX has begun to move east in the gulf, and will throw large amounts of moisture over cold air, which will result in the Winter Weather Scenario.  Remember that it's cold enough everywhere that whatever falls: snow (will stick), sleet (will accumulate), and freezing rain (will quickly glaze surfaces).

Here's a graphical information cast which will auto-update through the day with current timing, what's happening on radar and where (so the title/subject will change but will be the latest product):
Now expanding things to a more large-scale window of the multi-state area breaking things down, **ACCUMULATIONS THROUGH FRIDAY** starting with a graphical map which will auto-update throughout the whole event (so whatever you see there when you login is accurate):
Currently we are thinking that a corridor from about Natchez-McComb-Jackson-Kosciusko area will possibly be hit with the largest accumulations of ice.  The other area's will see a mixed bag or primarily other types as depicted by the maps.  Temps in central ms have fallen into the mid-upper 20's to right around freezing to the south we really don't expect temps for much of the area to get at-or-above freezing till sometime Friday AM (hopefully by 9 AM).  So there could be significant accumulations of ice in some area's.

You can at anytime click on this site National Weather Service Jackson, MS and see a regional map--which will look like a paint wheel for an artist with all the colors---but either click on where you think you approx live in your county, or type in the upper left hand corner of the page your town/zip for the absolute latest official forecasts.

As with any Winter Storm Situation----if you need groceries or are low on some stuff, grab them early if you live in an area that might be impacted for a day or two (you will use them anyway); if you need gas, go ahead and fill up a little early (you will use it anyway); if you need to check on blankets, flashlight batteries, etc go ahead (you will need them anyway).  People sometimes feel as if the meteorologist panic people or enjoy the hype or paint a worst case scenario---and we have to give you all the data we can, and then you have to be reasonable and prudent with it.

Now to round it out....Friday temps will warm in most area's and we will see things go above freezing--and change to mostly rain---however, there could still be a mixed bag of precip in some area's and that evening temps will fall below freezing again and there might be some light snow or freezing drizzle as the system completely moves out.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Severe Weather (Tues) Cold & Blustery (Wed-Wknd) Winter Weather (Thu/Fri Nights)

Let me just start by saying the forecast for the next week is MUCH MUCH like the New Years Even-Following Week Forecast (don't blame me!)

A potent cold front (which will most likely will be creating the LARGEST winter storm of the season for the rest of the country) will be starting off in our area.  An area of low pressure will develop to our west and move from approx Shreveport, LA to NE of Memphis, TN during the day Tuesday.  At that time the low pressure center will be deepening (strengthen), and have a strong cold front along with it.  At the same time upper level (which simply means when you think of the sky above you) dynamics (the "fuel" or ingredients we look for as signatures of severe weather and outbreaks) will be fairly high on some of the scales.

Damaging Winds up to 80 mph (in the delta primarily) and weaker tornadoes are possible.  Damaging winds 60-70mph, and stronger tornadoes are possible mainly from Brookhaven-Hattiesburg-Meridian area where the dynamics are most favorable.  With the squall line it's possible to see a tornado in any area with this system---however this shouldn't be a repeat of the tornado outbreak on New Years Eve.  While we might see a tornado or two (the risk is pretty low) we will more likely see a larger number of damaging wind reports. Before we were concerned with possible flash flooding however with the fast moving pace of the line of storms that concern has diminished to almost zero; however you could still pick up a quick 1"+ of rain.



We are currently thinking the squall line will be developing or approaching the MS River Counties around the 12 o'clock hour and push east; the squall line should be mainly east of the I-55 Corridor by 4 PM, entering East MS and clearing the enter state by 7 PM.

Timing Of Squall Line And Severe Weather


During the day on Tuesday since this storm system will be "winding up" and be so large and powerful we can expect very gusty winds up to 40+ mph through the day and even after the line of severe weather passes (a wind advisory is in place to cover this.  Once the front quickly passes (which will be right along the severe weather) winds will remain gusty and colder arctic air will quickly come in behind it.

Now to the last part---the cold and possible winter type precipitation?!  It will be cold and blustery behind the front with high/low temps well below average, and wind chills making most temps feel an even 10 degrees colder than they actually will be.  We have two shots of light winter weather Thursday Night and Friday Night.  This would be nothing more than something interesting to talk about or watch fall from the sky---


Winter Weather Possibility

Friday, January 28, 2011

Weekend Forecast

High's Should Be Warm And Enjoyable, Low's Comfortable At Night, And Temps At Or Above Seasonal Averages.  Quite A Nice Break For A Couple Days Before Rain Returns Sunday And The Temperature/Precipitation Coaster Starts Back For Next Week.


Enjoy The Bright Warm Sunshine----Go To The Park, Roll The Windows Down, Play Some Putt-Putt Golf, Check Out The Zoo, Etc...

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

AMAZING VIDEO THROUGH A RURAL SNOW COVERED COUNTRY ROAD OUTSIDE MEMPHIS


THIS IS A VIDEO I SHOT DRIVING DOWN A RURAL COUNTRY ROAD.  IT WAS AN AWE INSPIRING SCENE AS THE SUN CAME UP AND YOU HAD ALL WHITE ACROSS FIELDS WITH A LIGHT LAYER OF FOG MIXED WITH SMOKE FROM CHIMNEY FIRES HUGGING THE FRESHLY FALLEN SNOW.  GOT TO USE MY NEW WEBCAM AND GOT TO USE MY NEW BROADBAND CARD WHICH I NEVER LOST SERVICE WHILE BEING ONLINE FOR 5 HOURS!!  






Memphis Snow-Chasing Trip--True Winter Wonderland!!

THESE PICS WERE TAKEN ON JANUARY 26TH, 2011 BETWEEN 3AM-6AM.  THE MAJORITY OF THE PICTURES WERE TAKEN EAST OF THE CENTRAL MEMPHIS AREA AROUND GERMANTOWN AND TO THE EAST/NORTH TOWARDS THE BARTLETT AREA WHERE TOTALS WERE HEAVIER.  NWS MEMPHIS REPORTS CONFIRM UP TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW IN THIS AREA:

(NWS MEMPHIS STORM TOTAL SUMMARY)