Good morning folks! Expect temperatures to be in the upper 80s and lower 90s today with dew points in the lower/mid 70s across SW MS. This will allow Heat Index values to approach 97F warranting the need to stay cool and drink extra water today. Skies are expected to be mostly cloudy this morning becoming mostly sunny later today with winds out of the southwest at 5mph. Storm coverage today is expected to be much less profuse than it has been the past few days as a high pressure begins to take over the region.
Subtropical ridging will begin to dominate the southern and central portions of the CONUS causing temperatures in SW MS to run slightly warmer than they have been, although they will be notably cooler (lower 90s) compared to mid-June. This ridge will be less amplified than the previous mid-June ridge and will have more moisture associated with it allowing precipitation chances to hold slightly higher this week; however, one of the best chances at a dry evening this week will be Independence day.
A 30-percent chance of showers/thunderstorms remains for SW MS on Independence day, with the majority of the activity occurring in the late afternoon/evening, but any rain that does fall will be short-lived. The above image depicts vertical velocity, a key component for thunderstorm development, which during the afternoon will be lackluster thanks to sinking air from the area of high pressure. The atmosphere will otherwise be full of energy and moisture for thunderstorms to take advantage of, but with little vertical velocity/lift, don’t expect a washout as precipitation coverage will be very little.
As the subtropical ridge develops and controls the pattern over the next several days, temperatures will likely be above average for most of the country, including SW MS. July and August are climatologically the warmest months of the year for Mississippi, which combined with above average temperatures will open the door for mid-to-upper 90s once again late next week. For now, enjoy the *slightly* cooler weather and fireworks!
Day to Day Forecast
Today
Mostly cloudy then sunny with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon/evening. Highs in the upper 80s. Heat Index values in the lower 90s.
Tonight
Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 70s.
Monday (Independence Day)
Mostly sunny with a 30-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon/evening. Highs in the lower 90s. Heat Index values in the mid 90s.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 70s.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon/evening. Highs in the lower 90s. Heat Index values in the mid 90s.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 70s.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny with a 30-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s.
Thursday
Mostly sunny with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s.
Friday
Mostly sunny with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon/evening. Highs in the lower 90s.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s.
Saturday
Mostly sunny with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon/evening. Highs in the mid 90s.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s.
