Typical afternoon thunderstorms and heat into the 90s continues into the weekend. The upper-level ridge over the Southern Plains will begin to shift towards the east on Friday. To the east, a local maxima of geopotential heights (another local high pressure) is over the Western Atlantic. SW MS will be in between these two features.
So what does this mean? Slightly less coverage of thunderstorms can be expected if the ridge is stronger with synoptic scale subsidence (sinking motion). If the ridge weakens, more thunderstorms will be able to develop. What can be expected for Friday is isolated to scattered thunderstorms beginning in the afternoon hours from the sea breeze moving inland and subsequent outflow boundaries from other storms. With the ridge shifting east, coverage will decrease with a 30-percent chance of storms on Friday.
Temperatures may slightly be higher too heading into the weekend. Expect highs in the 90s with locally cooler temperatures in the upper 80s if storms develop before peak heating for the day. With dewpoints hovering around 70F, heat index values will be between 95F and 105F. However, heat indices should be below warning criteria.
Day-to-Day Forecast
Friday
Partly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of isolated to scattered storms beginning in the afternoon. Highs in the low 90s with heat indices in the upper 90s. Lows in the low 70s.
Saturday
Mostly sunny with a 30-percent chance of isolated to scattered storms beginning in the afternoon. Highs in the low 90s with heat indices between 98F and 102F. Lows in the low 70s.
Sunday
Mostly sunny with a 40-percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Highs in the low 90s with heat indices between 98F and 102F. Lows in the low 70s.
Monday
Partly cloudy with a 50-percent chance of precipitation. Highs in the low 90s with heat indices between 98F and 102F. Lows in the low 70s.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of precipitation. Highs in the upper 80s with heat indices in the upper 90s. Lows in the low 70s.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with a 60-percenct chance of precipitation. Highs in the upper 80s with heat indices in the mid 90s. Lows in the low 70s.
Thursday
Partly cloudy with a 60-percent chance of precipitation. Highs in the upper 80s with heat indices in the mid 90s. Lows in the low 70s.
