Jackson, Mississippi – Temperatures will plunge into the 20s across central and northern Mississippi early next week, with lows near 28 degrees threatening a widespread freeze along I-55 and I-20 by 6 a.m. Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, colder air will settle in behind weekend showers and thunderstorms. Monday and Tuesday mornings are expected to be the coldest stretch, with many communities dropping into the mid to upper 20s before sunrise.
Sub-freezing temperatures may impact exposed pipes and early commuters.
Forecast lows show Greenville near 26 degrees, Greenwood around 27, Jackson near 28, Meridian close to 27, and Hattiesburg in the upper 20s by early Tuesday morning. Road surfaces should remain dry, but bridges and overpasses along I-20 and I-55 could briefly cool to near freezing before daybreak.
Rain chances increase this weekend ahead of the cold front, with scattered showers and storms possible Saturday into Sunday. Once the front clears, temperatures fall sharply Sunday night, setting up two consecutive mornings of widespread frost and freeze conditions.
Drivers along US-82 in the Delta and US-49 through central Mississippi should prepare for colder starts and allow extra warm-up time for vehicles.
What residents should do now: Protect sensitive plants, cover exposed pipes, and prepare pets for freezing temperatures before Monday night.
The coldest readings are expected before sunrise Tuesday, with gradual moderation beginning later in the week. Freeze conditions are likely Monday and Tuesday mornings, and freeze headlines may be issued as confidence increases.
