Wednesday's forecast for January 19, 2011

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Today's forecast:
Jackson, MS-------High 47 Low 37

Starkville, MS-----High 47 Low 31

Meridian, MS------High 52 Low 32

Vicksburg, MS-----High 49 Low 34

Greenwood, MS----High 47 Low 32

Tupelo, MS--------High 45 Low 31

Hattiesburg, MS--- High 54 Low 36

Pascagoula, MS----High 59 Low 40




~Jackson, MS

Currently
A good Wednesday to you all and thanks for joining me here once again. I told you on yesterday that we should see plenty of sunshine but it doesn't look that way today due to these stubborn slow-moving clouds. I thought some the dense clouds would have eroded overnight but because of the widespread cloud coverage, it kept lows warmer than forecasted. These clouds are still maintaining their position in the sky while current temps sits around the mid 40s. Winds are from the northwest at 5 mph. Although, the day will seem cloudy and gloomy for the most part there is no rain forecasted for today.

What's Happening Atmospherically
Satellite imagery shows the entire state of MS being engulfed with thick stratus clouds. Most of these clouds were forecasted to have been push off toward the east but these clouds are slowly taking their time, and so we will most likely be under mostly cloudy conditions for most of the day into late this afternoon. By late this afternoon, we will start to have some breaks in the clouds and we should clear out some for tonight. Models show high pressure moving across the area and as it moves farther east, it will clear some of the clouds out especially in the southern portion of MS as winds will be coming in out of the east.

Even under high pressure, temperatures will barely make it into the 50s today and will probably not even touch the 50 range in north MS. The immense cloud coverage will keep temperatures at a minimal and not allow for sufficient warming. We'll have a northwest breeze at 5 mph for most of the day until later this evening and into the night hours where winds will change from the northwest to the east. If we have the partly cloudy conditions as expected, lows will drop into the upper to mid 30s tonight. It will be warmer here in Jackson, MS but cooler the further you head north due to east winds and that southerly flow bringing warmth from the coast.

By early Thursday morning, the high pressure should be all the way located along the east coast above Florida but behind it will come another system that will bring rain into the forecast. A frontal system tomorrow will bring in a bit of precipitation for Thursday afternoon hours. Both the GFS and NAM are in good agreement that precititation will start sometime around the late afternoon hours of Thursday. Showers should last up until around midnight giving the possiblity of sleet and freezing rain. I believe in the central and southern portion of MS, we will mostly just see rain the entire time. North MS and some central counties may have a chance of wintry mix. MOS values, however, shows a huge disagreement for the high tomorrow with the NAM calling for highs near 70 degrees tomorrow. I won't go quite that high because I really don't see much warm air advection taken place. Also, more clouds will be in place and despite an approaching front I don't foresee a high spike in that matter. Look for highs to be in the 50s with our lows into the lower 30s.

Today
Cloudy for the most part of the day with some breaks in the clouds by late this afternoon. Highs should get up to the upper 40s in the Jackson area. Winds will be from the northwest at 5 mph.

Tonight
With winds switching from the northwest to the east at 5mph, this will allow for us to see some clearing in the cloud coverage. Also, along with partly clouds skies lows will be a little cooler as well dropping to the upper 30s around Jackson.

Thursday's outlook
Rain will make its return on tomorrow afternoon, so be sure to have your umbrella in handy throughout the afternoon hours. Highs should be able to get to the mid 50s, but by Thursday night temperatures will take a take rapid drop ending in the upper 20s for some portion of MS. Due to this swift drop in temperatures, some areas (North MS and some central areas) could experience some wintry mix.

Thanks for viewing your Face of the Sky forecast and God bless!