Jackson, Mississippi — One hundred sixty million Americans are prepared and monitoring a major winter system now evolving into a dangerous ice storm threat, as freezing rain and ice accumulation target parts of Mississippi and Tennessee through Monday, Jan. 26.
For this portion of the Mid-South, the primary hazard is freezing rain rather than snow. According to the National Weather Service, a shallow layer of Arctic air near the ground combined with warmer air aloft will create conditions favorable for significant ice accretion, particularly across northern Mississippi and much of western and middle Tennessee.
The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center places the Mississippi–Tennessee region within a moderate to high-confidence zone for impactful icing from Friday through Sunday. Ice accumulations of one-quarter inch or more are possible, with isolated higher amounts capable of downing trees, damaging power lines, and causing extended power outages.
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly once freezing rain begins. Major corridors at risk include Interstate 40, Interstate 55, Interstate 22, and Interstate 24. Transportation officials warn that bridges and overpasses may become slick first, and road treatments may prove ineffective during prolonged periods of freezing rain.
Utility providers across both states are preparing for the possibility of power disruptions as ice builds on infrastructure. Emergency managers are urging residents to complete preparations ahead of peak impacts, including charging electronic devices, securing alternative heat sources, and avoiding unnecessary travel once icing begins.
Motorists are strongly advised to stay off roads during freezing rain events, as even thin ice can make travel extremely dangerous and lead to widespread crashes. Emergency response times may be delayed if road conditions become impassable.
Behind the storm, Arctic air is expected to deepen across Mississippi and Tennessee, keeping temperatures below freezing and preventing ice from melting. Wind chills may drop into the teens or single digits, extending hazardous conditions even after precipitation ends.
While a potential shift in the pattern may occur between Jan. 28 and Feb. 1, forecasters caution that much of the Midwest and East Coast will remain locked in a deep Arctic freeze into early February, prolonging ice-related impacts across the region.
