Mississippi is facing a severe weather threat this weekend, which could delay holiday travel for some people. Several storms have dropped snow and rain throughout the nation. Now, a line of storms threatens to bring severe thunderstorms, strong winds, heavy rain and likely tornadoes to parts of Mississippi and Louisiana on Friday and Saturday.
Be prepared with the latest forecast to keep you and your family safe in extreme weather. Sign up to get alerts on your phone to be sure you have the latest severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches 24/7.
According to forecasts from the National Weather Service in Jackson, the area is under a marginal risk of isolated severe storms and damaging wind gusts through 4 p.m. Friday, and the possibility of a tornado can’t be ruled out.
Through Saturday afternoon and evening, there’s an enhanced risk of severe storms for most of the area. Tornadoes are likely, possibly strong. Severe storms are likely, and there could be damaging wind with gusts up to 70 mph and large hail, up to about golf-ball sized.
Up to 4 inches of local rainfall and flash flooding are also possible for part of Central Mississippi through Saturday afternoon and evening.
The Excerpt: We are more vulnerable to tornadoes than ever before
Most of northern Mississippi is under a slight risk of lightning and excessive rain Friday and Saturday, and some counties covered by the Memphis NWS station will be under an enhanced thread of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes on Saturday. There will also be a chance of hail.
In the southern part of the state, there’s marginal risk of severe weather through about 7 a.m. Saturday. But from Saturday morning through Sunday morning, there will be slight and enhanced risks for damaging winds, tornadoes and large hail. According to the New Orleans/Baton Rouge NWS office forecast, the timing of the storms is not certain.
A precipitation forecast from the Weather Prediction Center shows heavy rain and snow is expected across the Northwest as well as several south-central and southeastern states on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
Severe weather safety tips
• Know your safe place.
• Have multiple ways to get weather alerts.
• Review your plan of action with your family.
• Make sure mobile devices are charged.
Tornado shelter safety tips
The best option for shelter during a tornado is a FEMA recommended storm shelter. The next best option is the interior room or basement of a well-constructed home or building.
Bad options are large open rooms or manufactured homes. The worst options are mobile homes, vehicles or under a highway overpass.
Mississippi weather radar map
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Be ready: Strong storms, possible tornadoes in Mississippi forecast