A blast of frigid Arctic air is expected to sweep across the United States early next week, bringing unseasonally cold weather and possible snow or other winter precipitation to Mississippi.
While the cold front will be felt throughout the state, temperatures in some areas could dip as low as the mid-teens on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the latest AccuWeather forecast shows. Parts of the state could also see snow flurries and other seasonal precipitation, including sleet and freezing rain.
“We’re looking at a couple of nights in a row with temperatures that drop into the 15-degree, 20-degree-type range,” Nicholas Fenner, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Jackson, told the Mississippi Free Press on Jan. 17. “And then it’ll be a slow dig out at the end of the week.”
Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures carries serious health risks and can cause significant property damage. Before temperatures drop, state agencies are advising residents to take certain steps to prepare for next week’s weather and ensure the safety of family members and pets. These include insulating pipes and “winterizing” homes, stocking up on warm clothing and other supplies and readying cars to navigate adverse conditions.
“From a public perspective, (our biggest priority) is just making sure that people are going to be warm,” said Greg Flynn, director of external affairs at the Mississippi State Department of Health. “We want to make sure people are checking on their neighbors, their family and their friends, especially the elderly (who) may not have access to a lot of resources.”
In the event of a weather-induced power outage, Flynn suggested having a backup heat source available along with enough food and water to last a few days. He also implored Mississippians not to rely on makeshift heating options like gas ovens or grills, warning that the consequences could be fatal.
A full list of recommendations on how to prepare for the upcoming winter weather is available on the MSDH website.
Meanwhile, Mississippi’s Department of Emergency Management is working with county officials to ensure unhoused residents have somewhere to shelter from the cold. The agency posts a list of open shelters and safe rooms on its website and will update the list if additional spaces become available, spokesperson Eric Bullard told the Mississippi Free Press.
Beyond the immediate threat to public safety, state agencies worry the cold temperatures could compromise Jackson’s fragile water distribution system. Last year, an extended winter freeze caused pipes to burst across the capital city, leading local utility provider JXN Water to issue boil notices for some 12,000 customers. Most of those customers were concentrated in South and West Jackson, two areas that have faced persistent challenges with water pressure and accessibility.
Ahead of next week, state officials say they will be keeping a close eye on water infrastructure in Jackson and beyond, adding that residents should be ready for boil notices and stockpile bottled water for basic needs.
“We’ll be monitoring the water systems,” Flynn said. “For better or worse, that’s what everybody holds their breath about in the Jackson area.”
Flynn encouraged residents to check the MSDH website for the latest information on water boil notices. He added that families thinking of taking advantage of the winter weather should make sure to do so safely.
“Enjoy it, but be careful,” he concluded. “Be smart, dress warm, and if you consider sledding, don’t do it in the middle of the road.”