Jackson, Mississippi – Strong thunderstorms are set to sweep across Mississippi by late Friday afternoon, with damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail approaching 0.5 inches capable of knocking out power and slowing travel on major corridors within hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, a Level 2 (slight) risk for severe storms covers much of central and northern Mississippi, including Jackson, Greenville, and Philadelphia, with storms developing after 4 p.m. and continuing through the overnight hours. Southern areas like Hattiesburg and Laurel face a Level 1 risk but could still see isolated severe cells.
The storm line is expected to track west to east, reaching the Mississippi River counties near Greenville by late afternoon, then pushing through the I-55 corridor in Jackson between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and exiting into Meridian and along I-20 and I-59 closer to midnight. Drivers should expect sudden visibility drops and ponding water, especially where rainfall totals reach 1 to 2 inches through Sunday. Some localized areas could exceed 2 inches, increasing the risk of brief road flooding.
Power outages are possible where wind gusts exceed 50 mph, particularly in tree-lined neighborhoods. Residents are urged to charge devices, secure loose outdoor items, and avoid unnecessary travel during peak storm hours.
Storms will taper off early Saturday, but additional rainfall is expected through Sunday. Alerts may expand if stronger cells develop, with the next update expected by early Friday afternoon.
