Mississippi, like many states, is expected to see potentially severe weather conditions this weekend as a winter storm emerges – one that’s expected to range as far north as Maine and as far south as Louisiana but stopping short of the coastline.
According to the National Weather Service, brutally cold air will move into northern Mississippi on Friday afternoon before moving down into the central and parts of southern Mississippi on Saturday. It may bring with it freezing rain and sleet, hazardous travel conditions, power outages, and tree damage.
“From the local area here, it looks like the highest confidence rate for winter impacts will mainly be relegated to the northern and western parts of our area,” NWS Jackson meteorologist Orion Jones said on Wednesday morning. “That’s not to say there aren’t going to be impacts elsewhere, but that’s where the most confidence is this far out.”
NWS Jackson covers part of northern, most of central, and western Mississippi. NWS Memphis picks up the northernmost part of the state, including around the Tennessee line, where conditions are expected to be heightened. There is a significant risk of a winter weather threat from the Tennessee line south to Jackson, where the risk begins to transition to elevated down throughout portions of the Pine Belt and southwest Mississippi before transitioning into a limited risk. The Gulf Coast should not see much of a winter mix but may experience intermittent showers.
Jones did note that any severe weather should be contained to the weekend.
“Starting Monday, we should be really kind of back to seasonal norms and everything like that,” he said.
Not much snow is expected in Mississippi
Opposed to previous winter storms the state has faced as of late, including the infamous winter storm of February 2021, not much snow is expected in Mississippi this weekend.
Jones said any snow that falls will more than likely be in the northernmost part of the state near Tennessee, but the upper Delta could have a “small chance” with a 20% chance of one-inch ice accumulation.
“At this moment, I know some models did call for snow a few days ago in the very northern reach of our area, which would be Bolivar County and Cleveland. However, that has since changed,” he explained. “As far as the entire state, there may be a small chance for them to get snow just along the Tennessee border.”
Freezing rain remains the main concern, with over half the state seeing that as the most likely winter hazard type.
Roadways being prepped
Preparations through the Mississippi Department of Transportation are already underway, according to executive director Brad White.
MDOT crews began fueling and making sure equipment like plows were ready earlier in the week, and beginning Thursday morning, the department will start brining highways and interstates in north Mississippi. Brine is a liquid solution of salt and water applied directly to roadways to help prevent ice and snow from sticking.
During severe weather, MDOT has crews working in the elements to keep at least one lane open on major roadways, highways, and interstates.
“Our maintenance crews – which are our first responders and we’re very proud of them – leave their homes and put themselves in danger to make sure roadways are open to the extent that we can,” White said. “When the weather is at its worst, MDOT is at its best.”
That being said, White advises people to remain off the roads Friday through Sunday “if you don’t have to be” and points people to MDOT’s website and mobile app for the latest updates on roadway conditions and closures.
Tips on how you can prepare
It’s not too late to make sure you’re as ready as possible for any severe winter weather. The NWS uses the “four Ps” as a safety mnemonic to remind people of the best ways to prepare:
- People: Ensure family and neighbors stay warm, check on the elderly, and limit time outside.
- Pets: Bring all pets and livestock indoors or provide a warm, dry shelter with unfrozen water.
- Pipes: Insulate exposed pipes, disconnect hoses, and let indoor and outdoor faucets drip to prevent freezing and bursting.
- Plants: Cover outdoor plants with cloth or bring potted plants inside to protect them.
Jones gave some additional advice while reiterating some of what NWS offers in its safety mnemonic.
“The first thing people need to worry about is their indoor and outdoor faucets. Just have them dripping throughout this cold-weather event,” he advised. “Make sure you have batteries or a heater of some sort. If you can get a propane heater that doesn’t rely on an outlet, that would be great.
“Make sure your vehicle is fully fueled because you can use that as a kind of cell phone charger or heater when in a pinch. Make sure to have some water and canned goods on hand. We’re really not expecting the entire state to lose power for multiple days or anything like that, but intermittent power outages aren’t out of the picture by any means.”
For those who need a warm place to go during this weekend’s weather, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has a running list of cold-weather shelters. It can be found here.