Forecasters grew more confident Monday of a winter storm’s likelihood to bring icy roads, bridges, power lines and limbs, upgrading a hard freeze watch to a warning, as dangerously low single-digit wind chills are expected to accompany the frigid misery tonight through Wednesday morning.
The windchill forecast was 3 tonight and -1 Tuesday.
Monday morning forecasts gave McComb a 47% chance of seeing anywhere from a thin glazing of ice to an accumulation of less than a tenth of an inch during the storm.
Ice accumulations of no more than a tenth of an inch also were predicted for Southwest Mississippi and Louisiana’s Florida Parishes, the National Weather Service reported.
While this is less ice compared to winter storms in previous years, when the area received about a quarter of an inch of accumulation, the dangers are still apparent.
Accumulations of ice are especially likely on elevated surfaces, including bridges, tree branches and poles, which could raise travel hazards and the potential for power outages.
All Pike County schools and Southwest Mississippi Community College announced closures for today, as did officials at the Pike County Courthouse.
Civil defense officials said Monday afternoon there were no plans to open the safe room on Quinlivan Road as a warming shelter.
Entergy sent customers a text message on Sunday saying, “Crews are ready to respond quickly and safely as possible.”
The utility’s grid was still holding strong midday Monday, with few outages reported in North Mississippi, where snow had already been falling since late Sunday.
One weather-related traffic death was reported on Highway 49 just south of Silver City in Humphreys County around 8 p.m. Sunday.
A hard freeze warning and wind chill advisory are in effect from 9 p.m. Monday until noon Tuesday as temperatures plummet in the area.
Besides ice, bone-chilling winds will make prolonged time outside downright dangerous.
Forecasts call for a low of 17 tonight with a wind chill as low as 3.
Tuesday’s forecast had a high of 32 and a low of 13, but wind chill values were as low as 1.
The system will move out of the area Tuesday, although temperatures will remain uncomfortably well below freezing until Wednesday, when highs are expected to reach the mid-40s.
Wednesday morning will be the coldest time of the winter blast as clear skies Tuesday night will allow temperatures to quickly drop below freezing and wind chill values to remain in single digits.
People are advised to cover exposed skin and dress in layers.
Hazards to plants, pets and plumbing will be posed, and people are advised to check on friends, relatives and neighbors who might be more vulnerable to the harsh weather.
