BROOKHAVEN — Severe storms could pose a slight risk to Lincoln County and the surrounding area this afternoon. National Weather Service in Jackson forecasts the weather to arrive between 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

It is just the first round of expected severe weather this week. Thunderstorms this evening could bring damaging wind gusts of 60 mph and hail up to a quarter in size. Copiah, Franklin, Lawerence and Lincoln Counties are under this slight risk.

Brookhaven has a 60 percent chance of rain today and drops in half to 30 percent tonight. Temperatures will be around 91 degrees today with a heat index of 97.

Tuesday’s high temperature is forecast to be 91 with a heat index of 99. Chance of rain is 30 percent tomorrow.

North of Brookhaven, residents in Lincoln, Jefferson and Copiah Counties should expect a slight risk of severe storms. These storms could produce damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, quarter to golfball size hail and a brief tornado should not be ruled out. South of Brookhaven, a marginal risk of severe storms could produce quarter size hail and damaging wind gusts. The timing of the storm is late Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night.

Storms are forecast to remain Wednesday afternoon and into the evening. There is a marginal risk of damaging wind gusts and hail up to a quarter in size.

Weather concerns will shift to heat at the end of the week. Lincoln, Franklin, Copiah and Lawerence Counties are under an elevated risk of high stress conditions towards the end of the week. High temperatures could get up into the mid to upper 90s with heat indices of 106 to 110 degrees. Heat exhaustion could be likely with prolonged outdoor activity.

People can beat the heat by staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous outdoor activities. If you must work outside, take frequent breaks. Heat stress is of most concern between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.