Severe weather expected around church time this evening

JACKSON, Miss. (Special) — Churchgoers planning to be in services this evening (March 1) should take heed of severe weather warnings being issued by the National Weather Service, according to Hubert Yates, disaster relief director at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in Jackson.

“The National Weather Service and the Miss. Emergency Management Agency are currently advising of the potential for severe weather beginning later this afternoon through early Thursday (March 2) morning and then again Thursday evening through Friday morning (March 3),” Yates said in a bulletin.

“For this afternoon/night (03/01): The Storms Prediction Center has upgraded the shown graphic with the area along and north of the HWY 6/278 Corridor (Clarksdale to Tupelo)) now being listed in as an ENHANCED (3/5).

“Risk for severe weather including brief heavy rains, high winds, hail, severe thunderstorms, and the potential of strong tornadoes. The area along and north of the HWY 82 corridor (Greenville to Columbus) to the HWY 6/278 Corridor is now in a SLIGHT (2/5) Risk for severe storms and possible tornadoes,” Yates reported.

“Areas north of the I-20 Corridor are in a MARGINAL (1/5) Risk Category,” he added.

“The severe weather is expected to begin later this afternoon with potential supercell development in the Enhanced Area (particularly in Arkansas and northwestern Louisiana), and progress eastward as a squall line develops through the night before lifting further to the north during the day on Thursday” Yates said.

To keep updated as the system moves through Mississippi, click here.