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: Some will get a break, but more storms move in later tonight

1 week ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -A cold front is approaching our area from the west, and it’ll take its time moving in. Therefore, our weather will remain rather unsettled until the front crosses Saturday afternoon. This evening, we’ve had scattered showers & storms... including some severe storms with reports of hail up to quarter size in several areas. There was also reports of trees down in Neshoba County (Arlington) due to thunderstorm winds. The severe threat has lessened this evening, but it’s not zero.
First Alert: The threat of severe storms continues Fri. & Sat.

1 week ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - A slow moving cold front will approach our area Friday, and it’ll cross our area on Saturday afternoon. Ahead of it, showers and storms can be expected both days. Sadly, both days, there will be a low risk for severe storms with the main threats being damaging wind and/or hail. Friday’s best timing for showers & storms will be during the afternoon & evening. Expect downpours if a storm finds you, and have multiple ways of getting alerts in case a storm reaches severe limits.
First Alert: Severe storms are possible as we kick-off May

2 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -April was rather rainy for our area, but we did get a break from the rain for the last several days of the month. May will begin with an unsettled pattern that will favor daily showers & storms...especially for Thursday & Friday. Thursday, an upper-level disturbance will slide across our region. Early (non-severe) showers are possible, but there’s a higher chances for afternoon scattered showers & storms.
Rain chances increase for the start of May

2 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - Wednesday is the final day of April, but it’ll feel more like mid-late May with highs in the mid-upper 80s. Don’t expect much rain relief for the hot & humid day, but isolated PM showers can’t be ruled out. We say hello to May officially on Thursday, although we’ve been dealing with “May-like” weather all week. May will bring a return of scattered showers & storms at least for the first few days.
Summer-like weather as we wrap up April

2 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -The heat is on as we wrap up April. Through Midweek, an upper-level ridge of High Pressure will be a dominant player in our weather pattern. This will help temps stay well above the average (challenging record highs), and rain will be hard to find. Meridian could reach 90 degrees Tuesday, and that will be very close to the daily record of 91 degrees set back in 1970. So, we’ll see what happens.
Expect weekend showers, but it won’t be a wash-out

2 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -It has been a rainy week with our area getting an average of 2-5 inches, and we’ll want to keep the umbrella with us this weekend also. It’ll be far from a wash-out because there will be plenty of dry time for us to enjoy. Yet, a cold front crossing Saturday will keep spotty showers & storms in the forecast during the afternoon. Sunday, an upper-level disturbance will bring scattered showers & storms to the area during the afternoon & early evening.
Same song... different day

2 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Friday, expect more of the same weather: warm, humid, periodic showers & storms. However, it won’t be a wash-out. Friday morning will be relatively dry (with the exception of some isolated showers), but there could be some patchy dense fog. By the afternoon, the heat of the day & an upper-level disturbance will enhance our rain chances. So, an umbrella is necessary for the 2nd half of the day.
Spring showers stick around for our Thursday

3 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -We’ve been stuck in this unsettled pattern all week, and Thursday won’t be much different. An upper-level disturbance will cross our area early Thursday, and it could lead to some early AM showers. Otherwise, the heat of the day, abundant moisture, and small scale boundaries left over from the previous day could lead to more scattered showers & storms Thursday late afternoon & evening. Additional rainfall amounts could range from 1-3″, so more localized flooding is possible.
More showers & storms for Wednesday

3 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -You’ll need the umbrella again for Wednesday as scattered showers & storms redevelop across our area. The stalled front that was in our area Tuesday will eventually wash-out, but the smaller boundaries Tuesday’s storms left behind along with the heat of the day, ample moisture, and some upper-level spokes of energy will all work together to get more storms popping. Wednesday AM, isolated showers are possible along with some areas of possible fog.
Localized flooding is possible over the next few days

3 weeks ago | wtok.com | Deitra McKenzie

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -A cold front stalls across our region for Tuesday and Wednesday, and this will serve as a trigger for scattered - numerous showers & storms during that time frame. Therefore, an umbrella is a must-have due to the rounds of rain expected, and there could be moderate-heavy downpours at times. There’s plenty of moisture in the atmosphere for this system to work with, and 3-day rainfall totals (ending Wednesday evening) will range from 1-3″... locally more.