Winter weather headed this way for upcoming weekend

JACKSON, Miss. (Special) — Mississippi Baptist churchgoers should brace for the potential of winter weather moving into the state this weekend, warns Hubert Yates, director of disaster relief for the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

In a Jan. 14 dispatch, Yates said, “Currently, two lows — one over the Northern Plains (cold air) and one moving through Texas/Oklahoma (Gulf moisture) are forecast to merge in western Louisiana/Arkansas and move through the State of Mississippi prior to turning northeast and bringing a major ice/snow event to the East Coast and Northeast.

“The development and track of the merged low will significantly impact the outcomes of this system for Mississippi. Development to the west and a slower movement will bring higher potential for accumulating snows.

“Development to our east and quicker movement will bring less potential for accumulating snows. A farther north track of the low will shift snow accumulations north, while a track south will shift snow accumulations more to the central portions of the state.

“Areas south of Interstate 20 should not see any accumulations and most likely will experience a cold rain. Any accumulations and difficulties that do result from the system should be short-lived as temperatures are expected to return to the 50s on Monday… There is the possibility that conditions in north Mississippi will impact Sunday morning church services due to road conditions/travel difficulties.”

To track local and national weather conditions, visit https://www.weather.gov/.