Watch out...Winter Weather Coming Through!

With the cold air in place and the moisture on its way, our winter weather set up is beginning to look more and more favorable for our region.

Over the past few days, we have been tracking a disturbance that is now centered over the Texas/Mexican border. This disturbance is predicted to flare up as it develops into a low pressure system over the next 12 hours as it moves into the Northwestern portion of the Gulf of Mexico. This will bring the majority of our moisture content for this winter storm.

In addition, a disturbance over the east coast has allowed a ridge set up, keeping a dry, cold air mass over most of the Southeast region. This dry, cold air will allow for wintry mix precipitation on Sunday and Monday morning.

As the low moves in throughout the day, widespread precipitation should be expect for portions of LA, AR, MS, TN, and AL. In the morning hours on Sunday, portions of southeast LA and southwest MS should expect light rain, while the more northern regions of LA and MS should expect a wintry mix of rain/sleet/light snow.

As the low tracks across the Gulf, most areas above the I-20 corridor will receive light to moderate amounts of snow during the mid day hours. Areas along the I-20 or below will likely see a wintry mix with predominantly freezing rain and/ or sleet. Ice will be a big problem in these areas.  Some areas west of I-55 should expect heavier precipitation amounts.

For Sunday afternoon into Sunday night, areas north of Yazoo City and Louisville should expect widespread snow accumulation, while the Jackson region and south of there should continue to plan for freezing rain/sleet. The NWS is predicting 4-8 inches of snow above I-20 and up to ¼ inch of ice for areas along or below I-20. Temperatures will be too warm and the air will be too dry for snow accumulation below I-20; however, some areas along the I-20 corridor could hold onto some hope for a possible snow flurry or two, depending on the temperature profile. But, don’t expect much.

Most of the precipitation should move out of the area before 9a.m. Monday morning; however, some moisture will still remain in some areas until Monday afternoon.

Winter Storm Watches are in effect for AR, LA, and MS until late Sunday night.

Stay tuned to local new affiliates, NWS, blogs, and twitter for the latest updates, road closures, warnings, and safety measures for this Winter Storm.

Temperatures for Sunday (High/Low)

Tupelo                         34/29

Greenville                    30/25

Starkville                     31/26

Meridian                      34/28

Jackson                       33/27

Natchez                       35/27

Hattiesburg                  37/30

Long-term Forecast

There is only one way to describe next week, and it is COLD! Stay tuned for a more detailed forecast for your work week.