The National Weather Service has updated its outlook for Winter Storm Fern, which is set to impact Mississippi beginning Friday evening and throughout the weekend.
The latest update, which was issued at 12:06 p.m., shows an “extreme” risk of severe weather hitting the northernmost part of the state as early as 6 p.m. on Friday and creeping southwest. As the storm moves down the state on Saturday and Sunday, the risk is forecast to lessen to “significant” and then to “elevated” and “limited.”
The Jackson metro, after moving out of the significant risk zone early Thursday morning, is back to teetering between the significant and elevated zones. The Meridian, Laurel, and Hattiesburg areas are still south of the projected range of the storm after being moved out of it on Thursday morning.
Little to no snowfall is expected in Mississippi, with freezing rain and sleet being the main concerns. Numerous power outages, some of which could extend for multiple days, are “likely,” according to NWS.
LIST: Schools closing, altering schedules due to incoming cold
The Gulf Coast is not expected to see much ice. However, portions of south Mississippi could be subject to showers and potentially tornadoes on Sunday morning. Currently, NWS meteorologists are forecasting a “marginal” risk in the area.
Gov. Tate Reeves has declared a state of emergency warning that incoming weather could pose “a threat to the life and safety of the residents in the impacted areas of the state, as well as their property.” It also reassures state assistance to support the response and recovery efforts of local governments.