Deitra McKenzie

Meridian

Meteorologist at WTOK-TV (Meridian, MS)

WTOK-TV. Certified Broadcast Meteorologist. I love all things wx! I'm a “Windy City” girl with a “Southern” Soul. #NIU... Opinions are my own💙💙💙💙💙

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Articles

First Alert: Severe storms are possible tonight

1 week ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -A cluster of storms is moving into our area from the south, and it’ll lead to a stormy evening for our area. As the leading edge of the storms move in, they could pack a punch and reach severe limits. The main threats will be for damaging wind and hail, so have multiple ways of getting severe alerts including our First Alert Weather App: https://www.wtok.com/page/download-our-apps/ . Heavy rain is also possible, so localized flooding will be a concern.
First Alert: We’ve had a lot of rain, and there’s more to come

1 week ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Meridian has picked up more than 5″ of rain thus far this month, and this is more than our traditional monthly norm of 4.20″. Most of this month’s rain has fallen since the start of Memorial Day Weekend, so our ground is soaked...and needs a break!FIRST ALERT SEVERE RISKYet, more rain is in the forecast for Wednesday. It won’t be a wash-out, but showers & storms are expected by Wednesday evening...mainly after 5PM.
First Alert: More storms for Tuesday, and some could become severe

1 week ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Severe storms moved through our area on this Memorial Day, and we had numerous storm reports... most of which were from Thunderstorm Wind Damage. Thankfully, the rest of this evening looks good. Yet, Tuesday brings the potential for more PM showers & storms. Also, there’s a low risk for severe storms. FIRST ALERT- SEVERE THREATS TUE. - WED. Forecast models are indicating that another complex of storms will move across our area Tuesday afternoon between 12PM - 3PM.
First Alert: Memorial Day Weekend includes a low severe threat

2 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Memorial Day weekend is known as the unofficial start to the summer season, and it’s surely going to feel like it. Temps will be above the average with highs ranging from the upper 80s to low 90s Saturday - Monday. Dew point temperatures have crept back up into the mid-upper 60s. This will make it feel hotter outside with heat indices in the low-mid 90s during the peak heating time of the day. There will be rain relief, but this sadly includes a low severe risk.
NOAA released its 2025 Hurricane Season forecast

2 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Hurricane Season begins on June 1st, and it lasts until November 30th. During this season, we watch for tropical cyclone development throughout the Atlantic Basin which includes: The Atlantic Ocean, The Gulf of America, and The Caribbean Sea. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its forecast for this year’s Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season on May 22nd. It’s calling for a 60% chance of an above average (above normal) season with 13-19 named storms.
Severe storms are possible Tuesday PM

2 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -FIRST ALERT- SEVERE THREAT A cold front will cross our area late Tuesday night. Ahead of it, showers and storms can be expected in our area by Tuesday evening. After 4PM, we’ll have to monitor the radar for isolated storms that may pop-up ahead of the main line. Yet, the main line of storms shouldn’t arrive until after 7PM... and it’ll exit no later than 1AM Wednesday. As the storms are rolling across our area, they’ll have the potential to ramp up to severe levels.
First Alert: We’re monitoring a severe risk Tuesday

2 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Monday kicks-off the week with hot and muggy conditions. Heat index values will range from 92-97 degrees, and it’s important that you continue practicing heat safety. Showers will be hard to find Monday, so any outdoor plans should go off without any issues. Yet, it will be breezy at times with gusts of 15-20mph possible. FIRST ALERT- SEVERE RISKHowever, Tuesday, showers & storms return to the area ahead of a cold front that will cross late Tuesday night.
First Alert: There’s a low risk for severe storms this weekend

3 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Stay weather aware this weekend! There will be a few waves of storms moving across our area, and each time will bring a low risk for severe weather. Should severe storms occur, the main threats will be for damaging wind & hail. The low potential for a severe storms will begin as a line of storms moves into our area from the north early Saturday morning (before 9AM). The storms should weaken as they move in, but once the main line arrives...
Friday brings the Heat! Practice heat safety

3 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -We remain influenced by a hot weather pattern as high pressure dominates in the upper-levels of the atmosphere. So, dress like it’s a summertime day for your Friday plans. We’ll start the day very warm with low-mid 70s, and highs will climb above the average... reaching the low 90s. We’re not expecting any records to be broken, but it’ll be hot nonetheless. Plus with dew points in the upper 60s - low 70s, this will make it feel hotter than the actual temperature.
It’s mid-May, but it feels like it’s June

3 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -An upper-level ridge of high pressure is building in over our region, and it’ll bring above average temps. Thursday morning starts with mid-upper 60s, and highs will hover around 90 degrees (roughly 5 degrees above the norm). Of course, it’s humid, so it’ll feel hotter outside. Make sure to take frequent breaks if you work outside, and stay hydrated. We’ll start the day with cloudier conditions compared to the afternoon, and there could be some morning patchy fog.