Current Weather Threat...

(2:00pm Tuesday) If you watched my forecast at 5 or 6 Monday and remember me talking about the "X factor" in today's weather, you'll see that it has come in to play this afternoon. If you missed it... I'll fill you in.

There's a deep area of moisture that developed over the past 3 hours just to our Southeast. And it is stealing all the moisture from what was once a potent line of showers approaching the Pine Belt. As a result, our coastal counties and parts of Alabama have had to deal with most of the rain.

As of now a Severe T-Storm watch box remains in place until 5:oopm. The National Weather Service is hesitant to cancel it because of an small impulse of storms over south central Louisiana. As of now, that appears to be the only existing threat of severe weather to Pine Belt. I'll keep you posted...

-Nick

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

A severe thunderstorm "WATCH" is in effect for much of our viewing area until 5:00 PM. Some thunderstorms could reach severe limits this afternoon. This weather system is expected to pass through our area early this evening taking the severe threat eastward into Alabama. Another storm system on Thursday could be a little stouter and may prompt the issuance of tornado watches for our viewing area. Rex

Active Spring Weather Pattern

I'm looking at two systems this week. Tomorrow the SPC has put us under a slight risk of severe weather, which correlates with the expected instability levels within LA, MS, AL, and FL. An upper level trough is dropping down off the eastern Rockies and swinging through the Central Plains, and we are also getting a secondary 100kt upper level jet along the Gulf Coast. These two factors combined will stir our rain and thunderstorms throughout the pine belt. Overall the convective available potential energy and amount of turning in the atmosphere is less than we saw last week, but the values are still worth noting and watching. One factor many people are discussing is the impact of convection building along the gulf coast, and this development will cut-off the moisture inflow for us to see healthy storm activity. If we do see any severe weather the timing looks to be at about midday and into the evening. We'll continue to watch tomorrow's setup. The 2nd system will roll through on Thursday. Thursday looks even more impressive than Tuesday with CAPE values above 3,000 j/kg (high value) just south of Meridian (around Wayne County), but Helicity (or helical flow/turning flow) looks low to moderate in value. Rain totals could turn out less on Thursday. That's the wrap on these two systems. We will always be around to keep you aware of the severe weather. I'd love to hear your feedback at tcade@wdam.com. Thanks for reading!

More Rain in March

Well the forecast looks warm and sunny again tomorrow, but rain is likely on Tuesday to round out the month. While we are still probably thinking about the rain this past week let me bring up a viewer's email. Ken from Oak Grove measured over 10" at his house since Wednesday. Wow! I believe last week's event will definitely be remembered by many. This also teaches us large amounts of rain doesn't have to be packaged in with hurricanes alone. Please continue to email your rain totals for last week! Thanks Ken!
Ok now to this week...Rain likely on Tuesday, and most of the rain should be here during the daylight hours from midday throughout the evening. It could be a wet drive home from work on Tuesday. Our atmosphere will then clear up a tad behind the front on Wednesday, which will then quickly shift into a developing tongue of moisture stirring up more showers on Thursday. Thursday's event could package more thunderstorms as the instability looks greater for this event. Keep in touch with us as I hope you already have been! Thanks for reading our blog and feel free to write at tcade@wdam.com. Have a good week!

Sunshine Galore

The highlight of the day is definitely the sunshine! It's been awhile since we've had clear conditions across south mississippi, but we can finally breathe a sigh of relief after 4 days of active weather. I've just finished some totals from this week and here is what I've found...Since Tuesday most everyone in our area received more than 6 inches of rainfall. Wow! Here at the station our total was 6.38", which totals more than our 5.81" during Hurricane Katrina. The highest total I found was in McComb with 8.38".

As we begin to look ahead, I can tell you tomorrow will also shine bright as another beautiful day impacts the Pine Belt, but Tuesday I expect to see more rain swing into Mississippi. As of now, Tuesday's rain looks like a daytime event, and we could find some embedded thunderstorms along the line of rain. Thursday also has another shot of rain, but the exact details are a little uncertain at this time. Have a good weekend! -tcade@wdam.com

Not done yet. (Updated)

(Updated 2:00am Sat) Tornado Watch until 5AM

(1:22am Saturday) Another line of showers is still poised to push through the Pine Belt. There is a stout line forming over I - 55 and it should make it's way here in the next couple of hours. There's no watch out just yet, but one may come down shortly. I'll keep you posted.
-Nick

Supercells

(8:56pm Friday) Some supercells are pushing through the Pine Belt that contain hail and strong winds. Fortunately we have seen little rotation so far. I'm still expecting a squall line to push through later tonight. I'm in the weather office monitor these storms with the webcam on. I will cut into regular programing if we have a Tornado warning.

-Nick