Cloudy & Cool

Most places in the county received a good soaking overnight with rainfall totals between 0.50-1.00". Light rain continues to fall in the Starkville area, which is being aided by mid-level convergence. The rain should end from west to east by 10 a.m. Otherwise, skies will remain cloudy for the remainder of the morning and early afternoon in the wake of a storm system in the northern Gulf of Mexico. By this afternoon, there is an outside chance that we might see a peak or two of sun, but skies will still remain mostly cloudy. Highs this afternoon will top out around 50. An upper level storm system will approach the area late overnight, but it should only reinforce the cloud cover. Moisture will be very anemic as this system passes through, so it doesn't seem likely that any precipitation will occur. Temperatures tomorrow morning will be near 35.

We'll get a chance to dry out this weekend, but clouds will likely stick around for much of Saturday in association with the upper level disturbance. This disturbance will also usher in a fresh supply of Canadian air. In fact, highs on Saturday will likely be in the low to mid 40s. It feel much colder than that as northwest winds could gust as high as 25 mph. On Sunday, we should finally see a good supply of sunshine, but temperatures will remain on the chilly side with highs in the in the mid 40s. Our next chance of rain appears to be the middle of next week as a big pre-Christmas storm system will affect much of the eastern half of the country. Early speculation was that this system may produce some winter weather, but at this time, severe weather is more of a concern to me. If any winter weather were to occur with the storm system, it would occur on the backside and would be light in nature.

Today marks the last blog post of work day weather forecasts for MSU, Starkville, and Oktibbeha County. Although I will continue to be a MSU employee through the spring semester, I have moved to Tuscaloosa in order to focus on pursuing a dream career with the National Weather Service. I am truly indebted to the Department of Geosciences at MSU because it was responsible for educating and employing me for the last 9 1/2 years. I may be biased, but I feel like our department as a whole has the best teachers on campus. Anyone interested in broadcast or operational meteorology should give MSU some serious consideration. Our Broadcast Meteorology Program IS the best in the country, and our Operational Meteorology Program has improved by leaps and bounds in the last 5 years. It's no coincidence that, in that time frame, several MSU graduates have obtained employment in the NWS and many more seem poised to land there in the future. Needless to say, I fully recommend MSU for any interested in meteorology!