NATCHEZ — The weather forecast for the Great Mississippi River Balloon race is improving, balloon race officials say.

“I think we have a good shot of getting four out of five balloon events this weekend,” Balloonmeister Bill Cunningham said Thursday morning.

A hot-air balloon pilot, Cunningham has been the race director for the pilots for many years for the annual event.

Cunningham said weather reports suggest that weather conditions are favorable for the morning flight and evening balloon glow on Friday, the morning flight on Saturday and the morning flight on Sunday.

“We might not get a balloon off Saturday afternoon,” Cunningham said.

The weather forecast earlier in the week had a good chance of inclement weather for Saturday that could have put a damper on the races.

Cunningham said the current forecast suggests that Saturday afternoon’s race may be the only race that is “iffy” because of a weather system that will pass through the region mid-day Saturday. The system should bring a slight chance of rain.

“Winds should kick up a little Saturday afternoon,” Cunningham said.

As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service was forecasting a 30-percent chance of rain for Saturday before 8 p.m.

Friday is forecast to be partly sunny with a high near 81 with winds light and variable in the afternoon to evening.

Sunday’s forecast is to be sunny with a high near 66.

Cunningham said a Sunday afternoon flight from the balloon festival site looks possible, as well.

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