South Mississippi is bracing for the first significant snowfall since 1996, Harrison County Emergency Management director Matt Stratton said during a meeting Sunday afternoon to prepare for the deep freeze expected to grip the Coast tonight and bring snow by Tuesday.
Cold-weather shelters are opening along the Coast, counties and states are preparing to treat bridges Monday, ahead of potential snow followed by freezing rain Tuesday and Tuesday night. Forecasters are advising residents to stay home during the worst of the weather.
South Mississippi has seen modest snowfalls since 1996, Stratton said, “but snowfall of 2 to 4 inches, it’s been quite some time since we’ve had that and definitely don’t want to underestimate this event.”
Many nonessential government offices will be closed Tuesday, following Monday closings for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Gov. Tate Reeves has declared a state of emergency that runs from today through Wednesday.
Sunday afternoon, schools began to announce closures for Tuesday and possibly Wednesday, with government offices already closed Monday in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
In addition to snow, freezing rain and wind chill temperatures as low as 10 degrees are in the forecast for this week.
A graphic overview from the National Weather Service of what to expect next week in south Mississippi, southeast Louisiana.
Snow, freezing rain in forecast
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect from late Monday night through Tuesday evening for South Mississippi and portions of southeast Louisiana.
The NWS says 3 to 6 inches of snow could accumulate along and north of the Interstate 10 and I-12 corridor, 1 to 3 inches possible to the south. A low chance of light ice accumulations is also possible in the same areas, the NWS says.
Snow is most likely from around noon to midnight Tuesday, although Stratton said the snowfall could begin Tuesday morning on the Coast.
The NWS expects snow mixed with freezing rain Tuesday evening.
Cold weather advisories are in effect, with lows expected in the 20s Sunday and Monday night, with a low of 20 degrees forecast for Tuesday night in Biloxi. Wind chills will make the air seem even colder.
Hancock County Emergency Management Director Brian “Hooty” Adam advised residents to stay home and drive only in emergencies if Tuesday’s forecast holds for snow and ice.
“If we’re getting the snow we’re expected to get, stay off the roads,” he said. “Don’t drive unless it’s an absolute emergency. I don’t think anybody’s seen this much snow in this area. I don’t remember that much snow in my lifetime.”
The highest snowfall on record for the Gulfport area was 7 inches on Dec. 31, 1963, according to the NWS.
This graphic from the National Weather Service shows anticipated accumulations of snow for South Mississippi and surrounding areas. A winter storm warning is in effect from late Monday night to Tuesday evening for portions of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi.
