Severe weather, tornadoes possible Monday into Tuesday. Here's what we know
The National Weather Service in Jackson is forecasting severe weather for parts of Mississippi on Monday that includes possible flash flooding, damaging straight-line winds and strong tornadoes.
"We have a strong storm system that will be pushing across," said meteorologist Eric Carpenter of the NWS in Jackson. "We should see thunderstorms approaching the Mississippi River by late this afternoon coming in from the West. Given the strong wind shear, conditions will be good for getting severe weather."
Mississippi is no stranger to severe weather this time of year. In 2023, storms produced deadly tornadoes on March 24 and into March 25. Tornadoes ripped through portions of the state killing more than 20 people and all but leveling the town of Rolling Fork.
Similar violent weather is a concern with the approaching storm system.
"The potential impacts, main concerns we're looking at are damaging winds up to 70 mph and possibly a couple of strong tornadoes as the system moves across," Carpenter said.
Power outage? Tips to help you weather being off the grid in Mississippi
🌪️Tornadoes are likely across parts of Mississippi today (3/25/2024) during the afternoon and overnight hours. So it is very important to know where your safe place is located.🌪️
❤️Practice your action plan NOW with your family BEFORE the storms begin. pic.twitter.com/vqSenxhjtS— msema (@MSEMA) March 25, 2024
The area of enhanced risk lies roughly from Cleveland to the north down to areas south of Hattiesburg. Impacts in western parts of the state are expected from 3-7 p.m. and from 6-10 p.m. in the Jackson area. For areas to the east, stormy weather is expected into early Tuesday morning.
Parts of the state to the north and south of the enhanced risk area carry less risk of damaging weather. Carpenter explained that warm, moist conditions coming from the south are fuel for instability and strong storms.
"That seems to be setting up best over central Mississippi," Carpenter said.
Carpenter said localized flash-flooding is a possibility, but the heaviest rain should move through over a one to 2-hour period.
He also said hail isn't a serious risk with the system as conditions aren't favorable for producing it.
"The biggest concern with the very strong wind shear is straight-line winds and damaging tornadoes," Carpenter said.
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This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Radar weather forecasts possible tornadoes in Mississippi Monday, Tuesday
