Frigid temperatures, snow chances for next week

Published 1:00 pm Friday, January 17, 2025

BROOKHAVEN — Confidence continues to build in forecasts calling for dangerous cold temperatures and wintry precipitation early next week. Snow chances have increased for the area. 

The sunshine and warm temperatures will soon turn to rain chances tonight and those will soon  give way to an arctic blast of dry cold air into Mississippi Sunday. The chance of rain Friday night is 70 percent. 

Temperatures will get up to a high of 68 Saturday before plummeting to 30 degrees Saturday night. Wind speeds will be between 5 to 10 mph with gusts reaching 20 to 25 mph Saturday.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Sunday will have a high of 41 degrees with wind gusts reaching 25 mph and sustained wind speeds of 5 to 10 mph. The low is forecast to drop to 18 degrees Sunday night. This is when the dangerous cold forecast by the National Weather Service is expected to start. 

Monday temperatures are expected to reach a high of 36 before dropping to a low of 20. There is a 30 percent chance of snow showers Monday night at this time. Tuesday will be colder with a high of 33 degrees and a low of 17. There is a 50 percent chance of snow showers Tuesday and 20 percent Tuesday night. 

Temperatures will rebound a little bit Wednesday to a high of 42 but will drop to a low of 23 Wednesday night. Thursday’s high is forecast to be 49 degrees. 

Starting Sunday, the NWS Jackson Office forecasts wind chills to be in the 20s during the day. 

The National Weather Service’s confidence in wintry precipitation has increased as the expected weather gets closer. Specifically, snowfall accumulation forecasts for along US84 have increased to a 50 percent probable chance. NWS Jackson forecasts accumulating sleet and snow is possible with impacts to travel. 

Readers should know it will be extremely cold and the time to start preparations for the cold is now. Be sure to have layers of clothing if you go outside and be able to take them off to avoid sweating. It is best to wear a hat and gloves and cover your mouth to protect yourself from the cold. Frostbite and hypothermia could be possible with prolonged exposure. 

Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Reid said a decision on when the FEMA building will be opened as a warming shelter will be made this weekend.

David Martin, Lincoln County School District Superintendent, said a decision on school for Tuesday would likely come Monday. The district is out for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. Brookhaven School District Superintendent Rod Henderson said they would wait until Monday to make a decision as well.

Check back for more updates on the weather.