'Extreme Threat' for ice/snow likely in Madison County

'Extreme Threat' for ice/snow likely in Madison County

Accumulations of up to six inches

Posted

Snow accumulations of up to six inches and ice accumulations up to one-half-inch are possible before Tuesday afternoon, officials said Sunday afternoon as Madison County remains under a winter storm warning.

The heaviest amounts of precipitation will be from Monday around 3 a.m. to noon, Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler said following a 2 p.m. official briefing Sunday.

Other than the Madison Parkway Bridge, roadways remain open but are becoming slick, she said about 3:30 p.m., as Public Works and MDOT continue to sand bridges.

Monday afternoon through Tuesday the Journal’s readership area — including a swath from Brookhaven to Columbus about two counties wide — has been placed under an “Extreme Threat” category very seldom used by the National Weather Service, Hawkins-Butler said.

Monday afternoon and Monday night wind chills could reach 0-15 degrees.

“We would advise between Sunday night and Tuesday to limit travel to emergencies only,” Hawkins-Butler said.

WHAT...Heavy mixed wintry precipitation is expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to 6 inches and ice accumulations of one quarter to one half of an inch are possible.

WHERE...Portions of northeast Louisiana, southeast Arkansas, and central, east central, north central, northeast, northwest, south central, southwest and west central Mississippi.

WHEN...Until 6 AM CST Tuesday.

IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning and evening commute times. Very cold wind chills as low as 5 degrees below zero could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A first-round of light freezing rain, mixed with light sleet and light snow is expected to continue causing impacts to portions of the area today. Then a more widespread round of heavier freezing rain, sleet, and snow will develop late tonight and spread across the area through the day on Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The latest road conditions for Mississippi can be obtained by visiting mdottraffic.com.






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