Natchez — As the week of the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race begins, residents and visitors are turning their thoughts to the weekend, which is predicted to have good ballooning weather.

Meteorologist Ernest Ethridge does predictions for the race. He forecasts temperatures to reach highs in the low 80s and lows in the high to low 50s.

On Friday morning for the media flight, Ethridge said winds should be generally less than 10 mph, blowing from the east to the southeast and pushing the balloons west.

“Friday morning should be ideal for ballooning,” Ethridge said.

Winds will calm down to 7 mph in the evening, allowing for good conditions for the balloon glow.

Ethridge said the winds would be changeable on Friday as well as Sunday, allowing for good steering during flights.

Saturday’s northeast winds of approximately 7 mph are forecast to be a little less ideal in the morning, with less changeability and blowing balloons east to west. Later in the day the winds are forecast to pick up to around 10 to 12 mph, although Ethridge said it should not interfere with the afternoon flight.

Sunday is predicted to have winds of approximately 8 mph blowing southwest or west, pushing balloons west to east.

If balloons go across the Mississippi River, Ethridge predicts they will go from the Natchez to the Vidalia side on Friday and Saturday, but said on Sunday, balloons could go from the Vidalia to the Natchez side.

Although Ethridge did not forecast rain for the weekend, he did predict showers tonight and Tuesday morning, as well as possible thunderstorms.

“Sometimes we’ve had heavy rain prior to the event where you’re landing in mud, so to speak,” Ethridge said.

The possible rainfall shouldn’t affect the race this year, Ethridge said as the ground will be dry enough by the time balloonists take off Friday.

“(There’s) no reason why we cannot have a productive and good weekend as far as ballooning and the associated activities that go along with the Great Mississippi (River) Balloon Race,” Ethridge said.

The race starts early morning Friday with the media flight and is followed at 7 p.m. Friday by the balloon glow, fireworks over the river at 7:30 p.m. and live music Bishop Gunn from 8 to 10 p.m. Races begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, followed by live music.

Flight times are approximate and depend on the weather. Pets, ice chests, weapons, outside food and drink, illegal substances and tents are prohibited on festival grounds.

All bags, strollers and wagons will be checked by security at the entrance to the site at the Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens at the south end of Broadway Street.