Russell James

North Carolina

Weekend Meteorologist at WITN-TV (Greenville, NC)

Weekend Meteorologist at WITN-TV #ECU19 Greenville, NC B.S. in Applied Atmospheric Science M.S in Geography

Featured in: Favicon

witn.com

Articles

Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Sunny Start, Breezy Monday

2 weeks ago | witn.com | Russell James

A nice evening is underway across Eastern North Carolina, with high pressure overhead. That same high sets the stage for a clear and cool night which means lows should drop into the low 40s inland and upper 40s along the coast. Winds pick up Monday as high pressure slides offshore and a cold front moves toward the region. Southwesterly breezes increase through the day, gusting up to 20 mph by afternoon. Temperatures climb into the low 80s inland and 70s along the coast.
Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Expect a cool night with isolated showers early

2 weeks ago | witn.com | Russell James

As a low-pressure system off the coast begins its slow departure, a robust high-pressure ridge is taking shape from the southwest, promising clear skies and a welcome burst of warmth starting Sunday. Throughout this evening, expect persistent cloud cover and some brief, isolated showers across the region. The conditions are being driven by an upper trough that has confined temperatures to the low and mid 50s. With limited instability, any shower activity will be short-lived.
Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Cooler and quiet tonight

2 weeks ago | witn.com | Russell James

Eastern North Carolina just waved goodbye to our latest round of severe weather, and now we’re switching to a much cooler pattern. You’ll feel the difference tonight with lows dropping into the mid to upper 40s under mostly cloudy skies. Saturday shapes up to be a gray and chilly one. Highs will struggle into the mid to upper 50s, and with a low nearby, we can’t rule out some isolated, pop-up showers in the afternoon, especially inland.
Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Rain increases overnight

2 weeks ago | witn.com | Russell James

After a busy Monday of gusty winds and strong storms, Eastern North Carolina is finally winding down this morning. Scattered showers will stick around through sunrise. Some of these showers may bring heavy bursts of rain, at times, but nothing to be concerned about. Once the front clears the coast by early Tuesday morning, the winds shift, the rain clears, and the air turns much cooler. Tuesday will bring cloud cover early in the day, especially near the coast with clearing skies by the afternoon.
A few strong to severe storms this afternoon

2 weeks ago | witn.com | Russell James

A cold front and a line of rain has slowed down considerably west of ENC. That’s led to more time for a severe threat to develop. We still think most see rain and lightning over anything severe but the potential for a few damaging wind gusts is there. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued until 10 PM for most of the area. You’ll likely be trimmed out of the watch after rain and storms pass as the atmosphere stabilizes.
Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Rain and storm this afternoon

2 weeks ago | witn.com | Russell James

This afternoon, expect heavy showers and thunderstorms, with some storms potentially producing gusts up to 40 mph. Rainfall totals could reach up to 2-3 inches in training storm cells, helping to alleviate drought conditions. Ahead of the front, temperatures will soar into the upper 70s and mid-80s, with gusty southwest winds Once the front passes, a period of widespread showers will persist into early Tuesday morning, accompanied by a noticeable drop in temperatures.
Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Warm and humid tonight; Rain and storms Monday

3 weeks ago | witn.com | Russell James

After setting a few record high temps today, we will see increasing cloud cover during the overnight hours. Temperatures will settle in the lower 70s as a strong cold front approaches toward us from the west. By Monday, rich Gulf moisture combined with pre-frontal lift will fuel heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, with rain bands potentially delivering 1-2 inches of rainfall. This will raise the threat of localized flooding in some spots and gusty winds.
Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Warm weekend continues with upcoming rain chances

3 weeks ago | witn.com | Russell James

Near-record high temperatures are expected to continue into Sunday as a warm, moist air mass settles in under offshore high pressure. Expect temperatures to soar into the upper 80s inland and the high 70s along the coast, ideal for beach days but watch out for the increased humidityLooking ahead, a powerful cold front will slowly move into the region late Sunday night, culminating in a wet, active Monday.
Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Comfy Days Ahead

Aug 20, 2024 | witn.com | Russell James

Break out the sunglasses because Mother Nature is treating us to a sneak peek of fall! High pressure is moving in today, bringing cooler, drier air that’s sure to make your day more comfortable. Temperatures will stay in the low 80s inland and the upper 70s along the coast, but with lower humidity, it’ll feel even better. If you’re along the Crystal Coast, keep an eye out this afternoon, there’s a slight chance of a shower or two, but most of us will stay dry.
Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Scattered afternoon storms; Great weather ahead

Aug 19, 2024 | witn.com | Russell James

As a cold front sweeps across the Carolinas today, eastern North Carolina faces a day of quiet conditions to start, followed by active weather later tonight. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon into the evening, with the potential for some storms to become severe, producing damaging wind gusts. The threat will linger until around midnight before the storms move offshore.