Tips for staying safe, keeping plants, pets healthy

Heavy snow is now expected across much of Central and South Mississippi on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Jackson.

The entire state remains under a cold weather advisory from 6 p.m. Sunday through 9 a.m. Thursday.

A winter storm watch is in effect for much of the state from Monday night through Tuesday evening, with heavy snow possible and accumulations up to 4 inches. The Jackson and Hattiesburg areas are part of the winter storm watch.

Snow could begin before dawn and affect the state through Wednesday morning.

Central Mississippi, including Vicksburg, the Jackson area and Meridian are at an elevated threat with likely snow accumulation. The NWS warned of hazardous driving conditions.

South Mississippi, including the Hattiesburg area, Brookhaven and Natchez are considered a significant threat, with snow mixed with sleet. Power outages are possible as are dangerous road conditions.

To the north of the Jackson area, the threat of snow is lessoned. The Delta could see slight accumulations.

“Confidence is increasing in impactful snowfall accumulation across much of central and south Mississippi and northeast Louisiana on Tuesday,” the NWS said. “Dangerous travel conditions are expected, and power outages are possible. A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for much of this area. Farther north, light snow accumulation is still possible with potential for some roads to become slick.”

It’s not unheard of for Mississippi to be hit with weather events such as this around this time of year. Many Mississippi residents lost power in a Jan. 16, 2024 ice storm.

Ahead of this storm, the NWS encouraged people to check on others and make sure heating devices are used properly.

“Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors,” the NWS stated. “Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

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What is the forecast in Jackson?

In Jackson, temperatures will plummet to 19 degrees overnight with a high of 37 on Monday, according to the NWS.

On Tuesday, snow is likely with a low of 22 and a high of 32. On Wednesday, Jackson will have a low of 15 and a high of 45.

What is the forecast in Hattiesburg?

The Hattiesburg and Laurel areas will see a low of 21 overnight with a high of 29 on Monday’s Martin Luther King Day.

One Tuesday, there is chance of snow and a high of 33, and a low of 22. On Wednesday, forecasts project 15 degrees for the morning low.

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Is JXN Water prepared?

Last year, an extended deep freeze and record low temperatures caused significant pipe breaks, affecting about 12,000 JXN Water customers who were placed under boil-water notices. Crews were sent out to address and repair the impacted areas.

Aisha Carson, lead communications officer at JXN Water, said over the past year, the water system has seen “significant improvements.” Carson said they are proud of the progress made thus far.

“Both water treatment plants have completed winterization projects, which enhance their ability to handle extreme weather conditions. Additionally, we’ve repaired over 3,000 leaks in the distribution system, making it significantly more reliable than last winter,” Carson said.

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Is Entergy prepared for snow?

Darrell Woullard Jr., who serves as Entergy’s senior manager for northern region distribution operations, says the company and its team is already in preparation mode as the freezing precipitation could arrive on Monday and Tuesday.

Crews are working to trim trees along power lines ahead of the storm

Just a small amount of ice can increase the amount of weight on power lines and tree branches by as much as 30 times.

As far as the system, Woullard said he sees no reason Entergy would not be prepared.

“In all of my time with Entergy, I have never seen an issue with the grid and not being able to provide power to Mississippi,” he said, referring to Mississippians using more power for heating as the temperatures get colder. “Most of what we are going to see has to do with vegetation and working with lines throughout the region.”

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What are some of the lowest temperatures ever recorded in Mississippi?

As cold as it will be for the early part of this week, temperatures should not approach all-time records for the state if NWS forecasts hold true.

Here’s a look at some of the record lows set around Mississippi and when they occurred.

• Waveland: 6 degrees, Jan. 22, 1985 (PlantMaps.com)
• Poplarville: 3 degrees, Jan. 21, 1985 (PlantMaps.com)
• Biloxi: 1 degree, Feb. 12, 1899 (Plantmaps.com)
• Hattiesburg: -1 degree, Feb. 13, 1899 (NWS)
• Greenville: -2 degrees, Feb. 2, 1951 (NWS)
• Waynesboro: -2 degrees, Feb. 13, 1899 (PlantMaps.com)
• Greenwood: -3 degrees, Feb. 3, 1951 (NWS)
• Jackson: -5 degrees, Jan. 27, 1940 (NWS)
• Meridian: -6 degrees, Feb. 13, 1899 (NWS)
• Clarksdale: -8 degrees, Jan. 12, 1918 (PlantMaps.com)
• Sardis: -8, Feb. 2, 1951 (PlantMaps.com)
• Hernando: -12 degrees, Jan. 12, 1918 (PlantMaps.com)
• Tupelo: -12 degrees, Jan. 30, 1966 (PlantMaps.com)
• Vicksburg: -12 degrees, Feb. 2, 1951 (NWS)
• Oxford: -13 degrees, Jan. 21, 1985 (PlantMaps.com)
• Corinth: -19 degrees, Jan. 30, 1966 – Mississippi’s coldest day on record (NOAA)

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.

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.

“Make sure outdoor animals have a warm, dry shelter, food, and unfrozen water,” the NWS stated.

How do I prepare my plants for freezing weather, snow

Felder Rushing, a Mississippi State University graduate, and a retired Extension Service urban horticulture specialist, who lives in the Fondren area of Jackson said there is only so much you can do to protect plants that are already outside.

What applies in North Mississippi, according to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, doesn’t apply for Central Mississippi or South Mississippi. North Mississippi is Zone 7, while Central Mississippi is Zone 8 and South Mississippi is Zone 9. Those zones are the standard for gardeners and growers to determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at a location.

Rushing advises that fruit trees be covered.

He also has tips for after the storm.

“What I would say is to wait until after the freeze,” Rushing said. “If there is a little bit of damage, trim out any damage and your plants will actually thrive. That is to say, if they are normal or native to Mississippi and the zone that you are in.”

Staff Writers Bonnie Bolden, Ross Reily, Pam Dankins and Brian Broom contributed to this report.