Showers & Storms Back Late Friday & Stick Around for the Weekend
WBBJ 7 Forecast Update
WBBJ 7 Forecast Update:
We are expecting another quiet night tonight, but rain chances will return Friday afternoon and some storms will mix in Friday evening into Saturday morning. Heavy rain showers and a few storms will move into West Tennessee Friday evening into Saturday morning. We could see a couple of gusty storms but the overall severe weather threat appears to be low. The first round of storms coming in Friday night and most of the action will stay west of Jackson. There could be another round developing Saturday late afternoon and evening with most of those being east of Madison County. Catch the latest on the timing and severity of the storms in you area coming up here.
Precipitation Update For Jackson:
Due a very wet month of May, we are not over 2″ above on the year at the airport in Jackson. April started out a little dry but the soggy last few weeks have eliminated the drought completely across the region.
We are 4″ above average for the month of May at the airport in Jackson picking up over 9″ of rain. We could add to that number late Friday for the last day of May on the 31st.
Due to the recent rain, the Tennessee River is in minor flood stage and is expected to stay there through the weekend into next week. Please be cautious if you are going out boating or fishing along the river or live next to it.
Update on the Memorial Day Tornado in Madison County:
This tornado began in far southern Madison County along Sanderson Road where several trees were uprooted. The tornado continued eastward where numerous trees were uprooted or snapped. The first sign of structural damage occurred just west of Kelly Road but The most significant damage occurred to two houses just off Highway 18, close to the Hardeman County Line. One house had partial uplift of roof and notable loss of paneling from the second story. A second house had a tree collapse onto a garage, major uplift of a patio roof, and its chimney collapsed on the side of the house. The tornado dissipated as it moved into Chester County.
TONIGHT:
Sunshine dominated the skies again on Thursday but there could be a little bit of cloud cover this evening and clouds will move in tonight. Thursday was dry again but could be out last dry day for awhile in West Tennessee. The winds shifted from the north to the east during the day and that kept the humidity in check again. Highs on Thursday made it into the low 80s again. Thursday night lows will drop to the upper 50s to near 60°. Rain chances are not expected tonight or early Friday morning.
FRIDAY:
Friday will start out dry but there could be some late day showers or evening storms returning, but chances are better for rain and storms as we get going into Saturday morning. Some of the storms in the evening could be a bit gusty, but the greatest threat for a severe or stronger storm will be southwest of Madison county where a level 1 (moderate risk) for severe storms has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center.
Friday will start out partly cloudy but some thicker clouds are forecast to build in towards the evening and increase overnight into the weekend. Highs on Friday will stay around 80° and the winds will have an easterly component to them most of the day. The winds might shift to the southeast Friday night. Friday night lows will fall down to the mid 60s. Chances for rain Friday is 70% as of now.
WEEKEND FORECAST:
The next shot for storms and heavy rain showers looks to be on tap for the upcoming weekend. As of now, it does not appear to be a big severe weather maker for us in the Mid South but we will be keeping a close eye on the forecast this weekend as the weekend gets a little closer. Currently all of West Tennessee is under a marginal risk (level 1/5) for Saturday. An upgrade to a level 2 does not seem likely at this time for us but we will keeping a close eye on things for you this weekend in the 7 Storm Team Weather Center.
Expect a mostly cloudy weekend and the humidity will begin to rise due to a return in the southerly winds. Highs this weekend will linger around the 80° mark both days but Sunday might be a little warmer. Morning lows are forecast to be in the mid to upper 60s this weekend. Chances for rain right now are 80% on Saturday, 60% on Sunday and showers are forecast to continue into Monday and last most of next week.
NEXT WEEK:
Next week is looking to start out quite wet across the Mid South and West Tennessee. Showers are storms are in the forecast on Monday, Tuesday and maybe Wednesday as well. Some storms will mix in with the rain but it does not appear to be a severe weather set up for us as of now. We are expecting more clouds than sunshine as well during the first half of next week. Highs will hang around the mid 80s and lows in the mid to upper 60s for the majority of next week. It will be a bit humid as well due to the southerly winds that will be hanging around for most of the week around 10 MPH.
FINAL THOUGHT:
After a very stormy end to our weekend, quiet and mild weather has returned to kick off the work week. Most of us will be dry until late Friday evening or the upcoming weekend but we will need to monitor chances for strong or severe weather starting Friday evening into Saturday morning. Highs and lows will be very close to normal for the end of May and the start of June. Widespread severe weather does not seem likely as of now in the forecast, but a few severe storms cannot be ruled out as of now. We are still in the middle of severe weather season so we will need to keep a close eye on things as we get closer to the upcoming weekend into next week.
For tips on preparing for the storms, click here. To download the WBBJ 7 Weather app, click here.
Storm Team Chief Meteorologist
Joel Barnes
Facebook: @JoelBarnesWeather
Twitter: @JoelBarnes13
Instagram: @joelbarnes13
