Monday's forecast for January 24, 2011

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Today's forecast:
Jackson, MS-------High 55 Low 45

Starkville, MS-----High 54 Low 38

Meridian, MS------High 58 Low 38

Vicksburg, MS-----High 54 Low 41

Greenwood, MS----High 52 Low 40

Tupelo, MS--------High 52 Low 38

Hattiesburg, MS---High 61 Low 43

Pascagoula, MS----High 61 Low 49




~Jackson, MS

Currently~as of 6:50a.m.
Hi and welcome to your Monday's editon of your Face of the Sky forecast. According to an article on the site of msn, today is considered the most depressing day of the year. According to a British researcher named Dr. Cliff Arnall from Cardiff University, states that this formula for this day is made up of factors such as "post holiday blahs and debt, failed New Year's resolutions, and the nasty chill weather reaching further south than usual." So, today is actually "Blue Monday."
I would say that weather conditions could possibly reverse this "Blue Monday" for you but conditions ahead later in the next couple of hours doesn't look all so great. After enjoying a rather rain-free weekend, the start of our work week will be a wet and gloomy one. Currently this morning we are starting off cloudy with temperatures in the mid 40s.
So, allow me to explain this rainy forecast for you today.

What's Happening Atmospherically
Early this morning and throughout the early part of the afternoon a weak low level disturbance will move across the region which is going to drag a weak cold front through. From this forcing, we could have some scattered light showers this morning but most of it will be held in the northern counties of MS. Its going to be weak, so not much of an impact in our weather from that system. The main story and the focusing impact of our wet day is going to be made up of two combinations: First, at (500mb levels) we have a strong upper trough coming out of the plains with lots of moisture. Secondly, a gulf low will develop out of the Gulf of Mexico and push toward our area from the southwest. These combine forces along with lifting mechanism will induce widespread and heavy precipitation throughout the entire state of Mississippi and the southern region.

All of this should come well together by late this evening. We'll probably have some light showers in this afternoon but most of the precipitation will fall throughout late evening and into the early morning of Tuesday. Temperatures will stay pretty mild for us with southeast winds. Even by then, showers will continue to fall as this rain shield continue to travel northeast. A rain shield is simply define as a solid area of rain. Early Tuesday morning alone we could possibly see up to 0.50 inch of rain in the Jackson area. Overall, according to QPF (Quantitative Precipitation Forecast) we could have anywere from a half an inch to an inch and a quarter amount of rainfall total. Steady precipitation will persist and will really take its time moving out of the area. Tuesday will be a very wet day with showers occuring for most of the day. This is due to the circulation of the low which is steadly going to draw or place moisture within the MS region.

Due to this circulation, we could have a chance of mixing snow for Tuesday night. However, a tricky forecast because even though moisture will evident in the area, surface temperatures will be too warm in my opinion to accumulate anything. The rain and snow will possibly mix and there is a chance with that especially with temperatures aloft supporting conditions for rain particles to freeze into snow. This will occur mostly in areas north of I-20 and north of the Hwy 82 corridor. Observing Bufkit files, I will say we have a chance of having a mix with much of the layer condusive to snow formation but again the warm surface will prevent any accumulations and the snow will be overshadowed by the rain that's falling. If small amounts of snow does occur, it will quickly come to a halt by daybreak of Wednesday. I'll have more updates for you tomorrow on this. By Wednesday afternoon, models show precipitation finally clearing out of the area.

Today
A rainy start to our week will begin shortly in the afternoon and mainly in the late evening and night hours. Before the rain start, watch for more clouds to move into the Jackson area making for overcast conditions with mild temperatures in the 50s. Southeast winds at 5mph.

Tonight
Get ready to sleep good tonight for those of you who love to sleep during the rain. Good amounts of widespread rainfall will fall steadly through the night with most of the rain falling on early Tuesday morning. There maybe a few rumbling of thunder here and there mostly in the southern counties. The entire state will pretty much experience widespread showers with heavier amounts falling southeast. Temperatures tonight will level off a bit to the 40s with an east wind of 5-10 mph.

Tuesday's outlook
Rain will persist into our Tuesday forecast and will be a wet day for the most part. We could see anywhere from 0.50 to 1.25 easily with the amount of rainfall we'll have. Highs in the mid 40s. A slim chance of snow mixing in for Tuesday night.

Even though we are going to get a good amount of rain, this is actually really needed here in the southern region. Did you know we are in the midst of a drought. If not then I'll tell you all about it in tomorrow's Face of the Forecast. Well, don't let this weather get you down too much today. Have a great Monday and God bless!