Mississippi

Expect snow and cold in Mississippi. Here’s what the weather forecast calls for

Published

12 months ago

January 17, 2025

Expect snow and cold in Mississippi. Here’s what the weather forecast calls for

Many areas in Mississippi could get snow early next week, paired with days of subfreezing temperatures and some overnight lows in the teens, according to National Weather Service forecasts. Here’s what we know.

A system will bring rain and snow to many parts of the U.S. through the weekend, and it will push a blast of Artic air into the South that’s expected to stay for a few days into the middle of next week.

The NWS is calling for a major Arctic air outbreak that will affect the Great Plains to east of the Appalachian mountains and as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. Areas to the north can expect subzero temps. AccuWeather meteorologists said the air from Siberia will cause some of the coldest lows seen so far this winter.

Current predictions also call for rain Saturday. According to NWS forecasts, several parts of the state have a chance of snow on Monday and/or Tuesday. Some areas can expect the extended cold snap to bring overnight lows in the teens and daytime highs below freezing.

Are you ready for brutal cold in Mississippi? Prep your family, pets, house and vehicle ahead of time to stay warm and safe. AccuWeather warns that strong breezes, paired with the deep chill can cause drafts to get into crawl spaces and elevate the chance of pipes bursting.

When could it snow in Mississippi?

The National Weather Service is showing a chance of snow around the state in the next seven days, as of around 8 a.m. Friday.

Jackson: A 20% chance Monday night, followed by a 40% chance of snow on Tuesday and a 20% chance of snow Tuesday night.
Hattiesburg: A 20% chance of snow showers after midnight on Monday, a 50% chance of snow on Tuesday and a 20% chance of snow Tuesday night before midnight.
Greenwood: A 20% chance of snow showers Tuesday.
Columbus/West Point/Starkville: A 30% chance of snow after noon on Tuesday.
Gulfport: A chance of 20% chance of snow after midnight on Monday night, likely snow showers after noon on Tuesday and a chance of snow and freezing rain Tuesday night before midnight.
Oxford: No snow in current forecast.

What’s the weather forecast in Mississippi?

Most of Mississippi can expect temperatures below normal, leading to subfreezing but not subzero weather overnight in the coming week. Temps will stay lower than average through Jan. 30. Currently, precipitation chances are above average from Jan. 22-30.

In Southaven, AccuWeather forecasts call for a 40% chance of rain Saturday, when the high is expected to be 48, and the low is 27. Highs are expected to stay near or below freezing Sunday through Tuesday. Lows will dip into the teens on Sunday and Tuesday, and the high Monday is 28 degrees. Temps are set to climb into the 40s again, starting Thursday. Lows could stay subfreezing through Jan. 26. (The NWS forecast also does not call for snow at this time.)

According to AccuWeather, as of Jan. 17, the Jackson area can expect:

Jan. 17: High 61°F, low 52°F.
Jan. 18: High 65°F, low 31°F, 70% chance of rain in the morning.
Jan. 19: High 39°F, low 20°F.
Jan. 20: High 36°F, low 23°F.
Jan. 21: High 32°F, low 17°F, 30% chance of precipitation, including a bit of snow or flurries.
Jan. 22: High 41°F, low 23°F.
Jan. 23: High 45°F, low 31°F, 55% chance of rain in the afternoon.
Jan. 24: High 44°F, low 26°F, 81% chance of rain in the morning and afternoon.
Jan. 25: High 51°F, low 32°F, 75% chance of precipitation, including rain and sleet in the morning with rain in the afternoon.
Jan. 26: High 58°F, low 37°F.
Jan. 27: High 59°F, low 39°F.
Jan. 28: High 49°F, low 39°F, 70% chance of precipitation with rain in the afternoon.

Weather Channel forecasts for Jackson also calls for snow Tuesday.

In Hattiesburg, the 10-day AccuWeather forecast shows about a 70% chance of rain Saturday with a high of 73 degrees. For Sunday through Friday, highs will mostly drop into the 40s with a dip to 34 on Tuesday. There a low chance of snow or flurries on Monday. There’s a 35% chance of precipitation with snow and sleet Tuesday. Thursday has a 64% chance of precipitation and could have some icy mix in the rain. Lows will be in the 20s through at least Saturday, Jan. 25, with a possible dip to 19 degrees on Sunday and 17 Tuesday. Highs are expected to climb back in the 50s on Jan. 25; they day also has a 74% chance of rain and sleet. The high Sunday, Jan. 26, in the 60s.

Around Gulfport, AccuWeather forecasts call for about a 94% chance of rain and a thunderstorm with a high of 68 degrees on Saturday. Lows will be in the 20s Sunday through Wednesday. There’s a 35% chance of precipitation including snow, sleet and rain on Tuesday with a high of 36. Saturday, Jan. 25, has a 72% chance of rain, and the high is 55.

Why does it keep getting so cold?

According to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which manages the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research, polar air comes south sometimes where the polar jet stream wanders.

As they describe it, the polar vortex circles the north pole counterclockwise. the polar jet stream circles at a lower level of the atmosphere, which usually keeps Arctic air corralled in the middle.

When the polar vortex is weak, the jet stream pattern wanders around a bit instead of staying in place “like a toupee that goes askew.”

The scientists that make up UCAR say predicting the pattern is getting harder because the Arctic is warming at a rapid rate.

How can I prepare for extreme cold?

The National Weather Service has tips to protect your family, pets, home and more in extreme cold.

Family

Know your weather forecasts, be ready in case of power outages.
Limit time outside in the cold. Early morning is the coldest, and kids might need to wait for the school bus somewhere warmer than usual.
Dress for winter weather, including layers to keep out the wind and wet. Wear waterproof boots, a hat and gloves.
Get a kit together for your home and/or vehicle.
Don’t stay in wet clothes, stay warm and dry.
Check on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors.

Story continues below video.

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House

Insulate pipes.
Drip water and open cabinet doors to let pipes get warm air circulation.
Turn off sprinklers, and disconnect hoses. Insulate outside taps and pipes.
Winterize the home, like checking your chimney, clearing gutters. Insulate windows and attics if possible. If there are gaps around blankets or doors you can’t fill, cover them with blankets or towels.
Install/check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
If you have a generator or plan to use one, make sure it’s set up to run safely to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t run it in the house or near air intake for the residence.
Use space heaters safely: don’t leave them unattended and be sure there’s a 3-foot space away from flammable objects like curtains or furniture.
Close unused rooms to keep from wasting heat.

Car

Make sure your vehicles have at least half a tank of gas so you can stay warm if stranded.
Have an emergency kit ready in your car if you have to travel in cold weather.

Pets

If pets can come into the home or another shelter, bring them in.
If animals, like livestock, can’t come inside, try to provide shelter and make sure their water isn’t frozen over regularly.

What should I have in my emergency kit?

According to the NWS, people should have the following in emergency kits for their homes and vehicles.

To be ready for emergencies have:

Flashlights with fresh batteries.
Spare batteries.
First aid kit and any medicines or medical supplies you need.
Backup clothes for winter weather.
Baby gear.
Food that’s non-perishable and/or will not have to be cooked if you lose power. If you pack canned good, be sure you have a manual can opener.
Water (plan 1 gallon per person for 3 days).
Pet supplies (food and water).
A basic toolkit, including pliers, a wrench, and a screwdriver.
A radio.
Warmers.

Car kits need a lot of the same items and few others, including:

Jumper cables.
Cat litter or sand for tire traction.
Shovel.
Ice scraper.
Roadside emergency kit.
Blankets/sleeping bag.

How low can I set my thermostat?

The World Health Organization recommends a minimum temperature of 68 degrees for children, people with health problems and the elderly. WHO advises a range between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people.

Thinking of going without heat and powering through with warm winter layers?

According to the CDC, hypothermia, or a dangerously low body temperature, usually happens in extreme cold but can happen in temperatures over 40 degrees if a person gets chilled from rain, sweat or cold water. A person can lose body heat faster than they generate more, leading to confusion and affecting their ability to move.

Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms can get hypothermia, as can elderly adults who don’t have enough food, clothes or heating.

Can I use my oven to heat my house?

No. Ovens aren’t made for space heating, making them inefficient for the job, which leads to increased fire risk.

Electric ovens don’t post a risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, but gas ovens do, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against it.

Can I get help paying my power bill?

Mississippi Power has multiple programs to help people facing economic hardship, the elderly and people with disabilities pay their bills.

Call 228-701-0555 to talk to a Catholic Charities representative to find out if you’re eligible for Project SHARE. Or you can donate to help someone in your community.

Or you can call the Mississippi Power Customer Care Center at 800-532-1502 to find out about bill discounts for households that get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).

January average temperatures in Mississippi

These are the average temperatures for the Jackson, Hattiesburg, Tupelo and Gulfport areas for 2020-24, according to data from the National Weather Service.

Jackson

2020: 50.9.
2021: 48.
2022: 45.4.
2023: 53.8.
2024: 44.5.

Hattiesburg

2020: 52.6.
2021: 49.7.
2022: 47.5.
2023: 55.8.
2024: 48.2.

Tupelo

2020: 48.6.
2021: 45.1.
2022: 42.
2023: 50.6.
2024: 39.5.

Gulfport

2020: 55.3.
2021: 51.7.
2022: 49.4.
2023: 58.2.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

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Mississippi

Vote: Who is the Mississippi High School Football Quarterback of the Year?

Published

4 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Vote: Who is the Mississippi High School Football Quarterback of the Year?

Today, we take a look at some of the best signal callers in the state of Mississippi from the 2025 season.

This season was one to remember in the state of Mississippi, and part of that is due to the terrific play from the quarterback position. Our nominees include a mixture of gunslingers and dual-threat quarterbacks who put on a show every single week, and because of that each nominee is worthy of a vote.

However, we will leave that up to you, the fan, to decide who is the High School on SI Mississippi high school quarterback of the year for 2025.

Voting will close on January 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Here are the nominations:

Chancelor comes in as our first nominee as he led the Magnolia State in passing yards this season. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,419 yards and 28 touchdowns. Chancelor also added two more scores on the ground.

This season, Mayes completed nearly 67 percent of his passes for 2,934 yards and 40 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also showed that he was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state this season. He rushed for 1,195 yards and 17 touchdowns on 122 carries.

Craft led the Oilers to an appearance to the Class 2A state championship after a terrific season as the signal-caller. He completed nearly 72 percent of his passes for 2,912 yards and 35 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Like Mayes, Craft was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state this season. He rushed for 1,027 yards and 17 touchdowns on 117 carries.

Stockett completed nearly 66 percent of his passes this season for 2,905 yards and 23 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also rushed for one touchdown.

Wilcox was another outstanding quarterback from the MAIS this season. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,868 yards and 34 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also rushed for 272 yards and eight touchdowns on 72 carries

Stringer completed just shy of 61 percent of his passes this season for 2,783 yards and 37 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He added 144 yards on the ground with two touchdowns.

As the leader on the offense, and one of the leaders on the entire team, Nettles was outstanding all season long as he helped led the Admirals to the Class 7A state championship. He finished 2025 with a 66 percent completion percentage and 2,750 yards with 23 touchdowns. He added two more scores on the ground.

This season, Shettles completed nearly 62 percent of his passes for 2,730 yards and 28 touchdowns with only one interception. He also rushed for 325 yards and nine touchdowns on 67 carries.

Hall took the momentum he had from his sophomore season and carried it over to this season. He completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,709 yards and 34 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He added 189 more yards on the ground with one touchdown.

Trivillion helped led the Pirates to 11 wins this season which is a school record thanks in part to his play from the quarterback position. He completed nearly 53 percent of his passes for 2,570 yards and 34 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Trivillion also rushed for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns on 105 carries this season.

This season, Ducksworth completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,581 yards with 27 touchdowns to only five interceptions.

Davis was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state this season. He completed nearly 64 percent of his passes for 2,547 yards with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 650 yards and seven touchdowns on 96 carries.

Edwards showed that he was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the state this season with a 73 percent completion percentage. On top of completing nearly three-fourths of his passes, he passed for 2,534 yards with 20 touchdowns and just one interceptions. He also added 170 yards on the ground with three touchdowns.

Johnson completed over 50 percent of his passes for 2,510 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 488 yards and eight touchdowns on 104 carries.

Wade is our final quarterback of the year nominee for the 2025 season in the state of Mississippi. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,402 yards and 22 touchdowns with three interceptions. Wade also rushed for 407 yards and 12 touchdowns on 107 carries.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

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Mississippi

Miami Hurricanes have two Mississippi connections – and one is quite large

Published

16 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Miami Hurricanes have two Mississippi connections – and one is quite large

The Miami Hurricanes, who play the Ole Miss Rebels in Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl, have two Mississippi connections. One is left tackle Markel Bell, a former standout at Holmes Community College. The other is offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, who previously worked at Millsaps College and Southern Miss.

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Mississippi

Jackson City Council presses Judge Wingate on JXN Water ahead of rate ruling

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Jackson City Council presses Judge Wingate on JXN Water ahead of rate ruling

The Jackson City Council approved a resolution Tuesday morning urging U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to “consider” taking a series of actions related to JXN Water operations, billing practices and financial oversight.

The vote occurred one day before Wingate is set to rule on whether Jackson residents will receive a second water rate increase, something that Interim Third Party Water Manager and leader of JXN Water Ted Henifin has been pushing for nearly a year now.

While the vote carries no legal force — only Wingate can issue binding orders governing JXN Water — it formally lays out the council’s priorities and frustrations as the seemingly never-ending dispute between the city and JXN Water intensifies.

The council voted 4–1 to approve the resolution. Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote voted against it, while Ward 2 Councilwoman Tina Clay and Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes were not in attendance.

The resolution urges Wingate to:

Extend the court’s billing amnesty order through April 30, 2026.
Require walk-in, in-person customer service without appointments, Monday through Saturday.
- JXN Water currently handles most customer service issues through its call center.
Direct JXN Water and the city to assign staff to address billing system problems.
Order an affordability study, rather than a rate study, to guide future decisions.
Compel JXN Water to immediately remit sanitation fees owed to the city and to do so on a quarterly basis going forward.
- City officials say JXN Water is withholding roughly $14 million in sanitation fees that are typically transferred monthly to help pay the city’s long-term residential garbage collection contract with Richard’s Disposal Inc. The utility has held the funds since spring 2025.
Credit the city for bond debt and water loss charges the council says should be the responsibility of JXN Water.
Prohibit the court-appointed monitor from publicly commenting on the city’s efforts to secure alternative funding sources.
Ensure equitable billing for Byram and other non-Jackson users.
- Those areas receive water from Jackson, but any rate increase would require approval from the Mississippi Public Service Commission, which has not occurred.
Remove JXN Water employees from the city payroll.
Align JXN Water’s fiscal year with the city’s Oct. 1–Sept. 30 budget cycle.

One amendment was made to the resolution to soften its language. According to Ward 7 Councilman Kevin Parkinson, the title was changed from urging Wingate “to take certain actions” related to JXN Water instead to urging him “to consider” those actions.

Parkinson said the council made the change “out of deference to the judge.”

“We believe in the substance of the issue, but we don’t think it’s our place to tell a federal judge anything,” Parkinson said. “We ask the judge to please consider the items.”

JXN Water’s response

In a Tuesday afternoon statement to the Clarion Ledger, JXN Water Spokesperson Aisha Carson said the utility “is aware of the resolution introduced by the City of Jackson and believes it is important to provide context as the matter proceeds in court.”

“For years, the City of Jackson and members of the City Council had the opportunity to responsibly manage and invest in the water system and failed to do so. JXN Water exists because of that failure,” the statement reads. “Now, after the system is working well — delivering water and keeping raw sewage off the streets — and after the system was removed from the City’s control by the federal courts, the Council is attempting to direct the very entity tasked with fixing what they did not.

“In addition, the unfounded and erroneous claims made about JXN Water’s billing system undermine public trust and weaken collection efforts without acknowledging the conditions we inherited or the progress already made. While Council members continue to advocate on behalf of their constituents, JXN Water must apply its policies consistently to sustain the system for all customers. The full record and legal arguments will be addressed in court.”

The looming decision on water rates

It’s unclear whether Wingate will take up any of the council’s requests or keep the hearing focused on the proposed water rate increase. But anyone who has spent time in Wingate’s courtroom knows the discussion can veer wherever the judge sees fit. As Henifin put it last week, “there is no predicting what will come up during the hearing.”

The proposed water rate increase would raise the average residential water bill from about $76 to $85 per month — roughly a 12% increase — to help cover operating costs and debt service. Henifin has argued the increase is necessary to stabilize the system financially.

Henifin wanted the increase rate to take affect in Dec. 15, 2025, but Wingate temporarily blocked the rate increase in November.

In a Dec. 22 filing, City Attorney Drew Martin argued that a second increase would unfairly burden paying customers, noting that tens of millions of dollars remain uncollected each year.

“The City simply asks that the Court order JXN Water to do what the City must do and what every citizen and ratepayer must do: live within its means,” Martin wrote.

Along with the council, Jackson Mayor John Horhn is opposed to the rate hike. He previously told the Clarion Ledger that JXN Water should first improve collections and cut costs. Roughly 20-30% of customers remain delinquent, according to city estimates.

Horhn could not be reached for further comment regarding the council’s resolution. Jackson spokesperson Nic Lott did not respond to a request for comment.

The council’s action also follows last week’s vote to temporarily cover more than $2 million in trash-collection bills from the city’s general fund after JXN Water withheld sanitation fees residents already paid on their water bills. Henifin has said the utility is withholding the money because the city owes millions in unpaid water bills, largely tied to leaks at the Jackson Zoo.

Wingate previously pressed Henifin on his legal authority to withhold those funds. Henifin acknowledged he had none but said the money would be released once the city settles its debt.

Why Foote voted no

Foote was the lone vote against the resolution. While he has voiced some criticism of JXN Water in the past, Foote has generally declined to support council resolutions aimed at the federally managed utility.

In October, when the council approved another resolution stating that Jackson’s water and sewer systems should be returned to the city and out of JXN Water’s hands, Foote was also the lone vote against.

He explained his reasoning after the meeting.

“I thought the City was better off not making a big news headline with a Resolution confronting a Federal Judge about the operations of JXN Water during the opening week of the Legislative Session, when our focus needs to be the many issues the City has with things we control such as crime, blight, squatters and the ongoing exodus of citizens out of Jackson,” Foote said.

He used one of his familiar lines that “the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

“Squabbling publicly with JXN Water distracts from the Mayor’s narrative of Jackson Rising,” Foote said.

Charlie Drape is the Jackson beat reporter. Contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.

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