Jackson, Mississippi – Central Mississippi is now included in a low-end but increasing winter storm risk, as forecasters track a developing system that could bring snow or wintry precipitation into the Deep South this weekend, according to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center.
The outlook highlights the period from 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Monday, when a strengthening storm system may impact central Mississippi, particularly along the Interstate 55 and Interstate 20 corridors, including Jackson, Ridgeland, Clinton, and Pearl.
As of Monday evening, the Jackson area is included in a 10% probability zone for at least moderate winter storm impacts, with forecasters noting that probabilities are trending upward as confidence in the large-scale cold pattern improves. Officials stress that this remains a conditional risk, but one worth monitoring closely.
What forecasters know:
- Very cold Arctic air will blanket much of the eastern U.S. into next week, pushing freezing temperatures unusually far south.
- A high-altitude disturbance is expected to dive out of Canada late Thursday, then deepen across the eastern U.S. by Saturday.
- This setup is likely to generate a surface low-pressure system, spreading precipitation into the Lower Mississippi Valley.
- If cold air remains entrenched, precipitation could fall as snow or a wintry mix, even across central Mississippi.
What remains uncertain:
- The southern extent of accumulating snow
- Whether precipitation overlaps with peak cold air
- The track and strength of the surface low during the Friday–Monday window
Because snow and ice are rare in Mississippi, even light accumulations could result in significant travel disruptions, especially on I-55, I-20, U.S. 49, and elevated bridges and overpasses.
Residents are urged to monitor forecast updates closely through midweek, particularly as probabilities may continue to rise and details become clearer closer to the weekend.
