National Weather Service

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NWS says Poor Travel Conditions Across Southern and Central MS

At 530 PM… National Weather Service radar indicated a large area of
light to moderate freezing rain… mixed with sleet… across
Mississippi along and southeast of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The
precipitation was moving slowly northeast.

Numerous traffic accidents have been reported across the area this
evening as bridges and overpasses have become ice covered. The
Mississippi River bridge at Natchez is iced over… many bridges and
flyovers in the Jackson Metro area are iced… and numerous bridges
across eastern Mississippi including interstates and US highways are
icy. Conditions will only deteriorate further this evening with
sunset and temperatures in the upper 20s. People should avoid travel
if possible… and exercise extreme caution if you have to travel.

Additional wintry precipitation continued to gradually develop over
Louisiana… southeast Texas… and the northern Gulf of Mexico this
evening. This precipitation will overspread the area tonight
resulting in more widespread and heavier wintry precipitation.
Temperatures are expected to begin to warm from the southeast later
tonight… resulting in improving conditions in the Interstate 59
corridor after midnight.

Filed under: Weather, National Weather Service, Weather

HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS EXPECTED | Jones County Residents advised to avoid unnecessary travel

Jones County Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Don McKinnon is urging residents to complete preparations for the winter weather impacting Jones County and avoid unnecessary travel after 5:00 p.m. today.

“The National Weather Service is advising that the temperature may dip down as low as 28 degrees in Jones County.  Expected rainfall combined with temperatures below freezing will cause icing issues on elevated structures including bridges, overpasses, trees and power lines,” notes McKinnon.

He adds, “Residents should conclude all travel by 5:00 p.m. today and not travel overnight unless it is absolutely necessary.  Conditions on roadways could be hazardous as a result of the ice.  In addition, should any power lines be felled by the ice, do not under any circumstances attempt to move them as they may still be energized.  Temperatures are expected to warm above freezing by mid-morning on Friday which will help alleviate any icing issues we face.”

A decision on school closings for Friday will be made following a 4:30 p.m. National Weather Service web-based briefing at the Jones County Emergency Operations Center.  Additional information will be relayed by the Jones County EMA as it is made available by the National Weather Service.  Law enforcement and fire department personnel across Jones County are monitoring conditions and reporting findings back to the Jones County Emergency Operations Center.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Jones County, Laurel, Schools, Weather, Jones County Emergency Operations Center, National Weather Service, Weather

WINTRY WEATHER POSSIBLE IN JONES COUNTY | Residents urged to pay close attention to weather statements

The potential exists for a mix of wintry weather to impact Jones County beginning mid-morning on Thursday and continuing into Friday morning.  The Jones County Emergency Management Agency hosted a National Weather Service web-based teleconference this afternoon and were advised of the following:

  • Light snow flurries mixed with some small sleet pellets are possible tonight into early Thursday morning as very light rain passes over Jones County.  No accumulation is expected from this event.
  • By mid-morning on Thursday, rainfall is expected to begin moving into Jones County again  where temperatures may already be at or near the freezing mark.  If so, a combination of freezing rain and sleet will be possible.  At this time, there is a high degree of uncertainty as to whether the temperature will be above or below freezing.  The worst case scenario would be that the temperature is at or below freezing when the rainfall begins leading to ice accumulations on elevated structures such as overpasses, bridges, power lines and trees.  If this were the case, then ice accumulations of ¼” to ½” would be possible.
  • Additional rainfall is forecast to impact the area on Thursday night; however, temperatures may begin to rise where precipitation would be mainly rain possibly mixed with some sleet and freezing rain.
  • By Friday mid-morning, temperatures should be above freezing alleviating any potential issues with sleet or freezing rain.
  • There is a  possibility that the National Weather Service office in Jackson will issue a Winter Storm Watch on Thursday morning.  The NWS has greater confidence that freezing rain, sleet and snow will impact areas north and west of the Interstate 59 corridor and less confidence that areas along the Interstate 59 corridor will be heavily impacted by the wintry mix.  However, if the temperature falls below the freezing mark there could be a greater impact to Jones County.
  • Residents are urged to pay attention to weather watches, warnings and statements and drive carefully when crossing bridges and overpasses that may have ice accumulations.
  • Residents are urged to take extra precautions to ensure their safety when using appliances for heating their homes such as space heaters and wood or fossil fuel burning heaters or fireplaces.  Check smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly and practice your home escape plan in the event of a fire.

Jones County EMA Executive Director Don McKinnon will be in contact with the National Weather Service overnight tonight and all day tomorrow receiving updates and will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Weather, Don McKinnon, Jones County, Jones County Emergency Management Agency, National Weather Service, Weather

Severe Storms/Tornadoes Possible Tuesday Afternoon Across the Pine Belt

The National Weather Service in Jackson is putting the Pine Belt on notice that tomorrow’s weather could get a little rough. It’s all part of a huge storm system rolling across the U.S. In fact, some are calling the storm one of the biggest to ever hit the country. In addition to the storms in the area, the rest of the storm will bring severe icing from Texas towards St. Louis and up to 2 feet of snow in the midwest including Chicago.

For the Pine Belt here is where we stand:

* Wind Advisory in effect 9am till Midnight Tuesday.

Southerly winds of 20 to 30 mph will be increasing Tuesday morning along the Mississippi River. Wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph will likely occur by midday generally west of the Interstate 55 corridor before spreading to the rest of the area by 300 PM.

Some gusts could reach 45 to 50 mph across the Mississippi Delta Region ahead of a front.

Once the strong cold front passes…winds will shift abruptly to the northwest at 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts lasting into Tuesday evening before they diminish from the south to north overnight.

* Impacts: wind gusts of 40 miles per hour and higher can bring down large limbs or rotted trees and blow loose objects causing serious injury and property damage. Exercise caution if you are outdoors during these strong winds.

Severe Storm/Tornado Risk

Severe thunderstorms with locally heavy rain will be possible Tuesday afternoon. These storms could contain a few strong tornadoes and damaging winds up to 70mph. The area at greatest likelihood to see these storms, is southeast of a line from Natchez to Jackson to Macon. These storms could also drop one to two inches of rain in a very brief period of time leading to ponding and flooding in some areas.

Timing of Storms



Filed under: Camp Shelby, Ellisville, Featured, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Weather, National Weather Service, Storm, Weather

Weather and Road Conditions Continue to Worsen in Central and North Mississippi

…Conditions very hazardous across southeast Arkansas and
Mississippi along US Highway 82…

At 240 PM CST…National Weather Service radar indicated a large
band of snow and sleet…mixed with freezing rain…along and north
of US Highway 82. The activity was lifting slowly north.

Road conditions are reported as extremely hazardous along this band
of precipitation…particulary bridges and overpasses. This area
will continue to have snow and sleet through the evening hours with
poor travel conditions. Areas farther southeast into east central
Mississippi have had icing of bridges and overpasses from earlier
precipitation…and may continue to have some slick spots.

More wintry precipitation will be moving into the region from west
and southwest this afternoon. Precipitation has been expanding in
coverage and intensity across east central through southeast
Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. This activity will be
overspread much of the area along and east of the Mississippi River
this evening…and result in a several hour period of
sleet…freezing rain and some snow.

Temperatures are at or below freezing along an northwest of a line
from Bastrop Louisiana…to Vicksburg…to Quitman. As this
precipitation overspreads this area…travel conditions will
deteriorate throught the evening hours. Farther south…periods of
sleet will cause temperatures to drop close to freezing along the
Highway 84 corridor and may result in slick spots on bridges and
overpasses…particularly in any areas of heavier sleet.

Filed under: Breaking News, Featured, Weather, mississippi, National Weather Service, travel conditions, Weather

HIGH IMPACT WINTER WEATHER EVENT FORECAST | All forms of winter precipitation possible

The Jones County Emergency Management Agency hosted a National Weather Service web-based weather briefing this afternoon at the Jones County Emergency Operations Center with representatives from various emergency services organizations present.  The following information is being transmitted as a result of this briefing:

A high impact winter precipitation event is forecast to occur in Mississippi on Sunday as a cold front interacts with a developing low pressure system.  Areas along and south of Interstate 20 could see 4-8 inches of snow. Areas along the Hwy. 84 corridor which includes all of Jones County could see anywhere from trace amounts of winter precipitation to  ½” of snow, sleet and freezing rain with freezing rain being the most likely form of precipitation expected.  Bridges will freeze before roadways and roadways could become very slippery if ice, freezing rain and snow occur.  Residents planning travel in Jones County should exercise extreme caution when driving as a result and only travel if absolutely necessary.  In addition, winds are forecast to range from 15-20 mph with gusts to 30mph driving the wind chill factor into the teens Sunday night into Monday.  Winds to 30mph have the potential to bring down trees and limbs especially if they are coated in ice.  The potential will exist for power outages if high winds combine with freezing rain, sleet and snow to overcoat trees and bring trees and limbs down across power lines.  Residents are reminded to treat any power line that is down as being energized and do not attempt to cut fallen trees or limbs out of downed power lines as electrocution could occur.

The potential exists for the winter weather to either be a cold rain event or a snow, sleet and freezing rain event for Jones County depending upon the track of the low pressure system and the degree to which the cold front and corresponding temperatures extends southward.  As a result, there is a large degree of uncertainty as to which type or types of winter weather precipitation, if any, will impact Jones County.  In addition, temperatures during the period from Monday thru Thursday of next week are expected to be 10-15 degrees below normal.   It is likely that Jones County will see low temperatures in the upper teens to low 20’s at night with daytime temperatures only reaching the upper 30’s to low 40’s.   The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Jones County beginning Sunday morning through late Sunday night (see below for complete NWS Watch information).

The Salvation Army in coordination with the American Red Cross will open a Warming Center today at 5:00 P.M. at the Salvation Army headquarters located at 205 North 13th Avenue in Laurel.  Please call Bonita Flynn at 601-428-4232 for additional information on this mission.  The Warming Center will remain open twenty-four hours a day until further notice.  Residents are urged to prepare for winter weather and pay close attention to weather forecasts, watches and warnings tonight and on Sunday for additional information and updates on predicted weather for the area.  With the extended cold weather event which is forecasted, residents should take precautions to protect people, plants, pets and livestock.  In addition, residents planning travel to areas north of Jones County are encouraged to check on highway conditions prior to traveling as roadways in north and central Mississippi will be impacted by the snow, sleet and freezing rain.   Travel on untreated roadways will be treacherous.

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Weather, American Red Cross, Ice storms, Jones County, Jones County Emergency Management Agency, Jones County Emergency Operations Center, National Weather Service, Salvation Army, Weather, Winter storm, Winter storm warning

Today's Severe Weather Discussion from the NWS

… Severe weather and heavy rainfall event expected this afternoon
and tonight…

Severe weather and heavy rainfall are expected across the arklamiss
region this afternoon and tonight. A cold front will cross the
arklamiss region late this afternoon through tonight… as a large and
powerful storm system affects the region. An unseasonably
warm… moist… and unstable airmass will develop ahead of the
front… and will combine with intense winds aloft to support the
development of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and tonight.

Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across the
region this afternoon and continue into tonight ahead of the cold
front. As the front moves across the region tonight… it is expected
to slow down… while scattered severe thunderstorms continue ahead of
the front. One or more lines of severe thunderstorms could also organize
near the front and move eastward across the region overnight tonight.
Widespread severe weather will become possible tonight if these lines
of storms develop.

Tornadoes… including a few strong tornadoes… damaging straight-
line winds of 60 to 80 mph… quarter-size hail… along with very
heavy rainfall will all be possible with the severe thunderstorms
this afternoon and tonight. The potential for flash flooding will
increase tonight along and southeast of the Natchez Trace
Parkway… where several rounds of thunderstorms will be possible.

While severe storms will be possible any time from this afternoon
through tonight… the most likely time for severe storms will be from 2
PM this afternoon until 3 am Saturday morning.

This system has the potential to produce widespread… significant
severe weather and very heavy rainfall across the arklamiss region
this afternoon and tonight. Everyone should continue to monitor the
latest outlooks from the National Weather Service in Jackson. Prepare
a plan of action in case severe weather occurs.

Filed under: Breaking News, Camp Shelby, Covington County, Ellisville, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Jones County, Lamar County, Laurel, Marion County, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Weather, National Weather Service, Severe weather, Storm, Storm Prediction Center, Thunderstorm, Tornado

Severe T'storms and Heavy Rain Possible New Year's Eve and Day UPDATE

The National Weather Service is warning people that going out to celebrate New Year’s Eve could have an added hazard this year. The Storm Prediction Center says much of the state is at a slight risk to see severe thunderstorms beginning late afternoon Friday and extending into the morning on New Year’s day.

Storms could produce a few tornadoes, very heavy rain, hail, and very gusty winds. Tomorrow’s weather comes ahead of a cold front that will bring much cooler temperatures to the area by Sunday.

Your complete PineBeltPRESS.com forecast:

Friday
Slight chance of showers in the morning…then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may be severe. Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. The chance of rain 70 percent.

Friday Night
Showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may be severe. Cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. The chance of rain 90 percent.

New Years Day
Showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms in the morning…then showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. The chance of rain 70 percent.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers in the evening…then partly cloudy after midnight. Much colder. Lows in the upper 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday
Sunny…cooler. Highs in the mid 50s.

Filed under: Featured, Weather, National Weather Service, Storm Prediction Center, Weather

Covington County Families Still Out of Their Homes Due to Massive Natural Gas Leak

Response Operations Continue At Williams Gas Pipeline Natural Gas Storage Facility

Emergency response operations at the Williams Gas Pipeline underground natural gas storage facility near Seminary, Mississippi continue at this hour with officials at Williams continuing the venting process of natural gas from the affected underground cavern at the facility.  Covington County EMA Director Greg Sanford and Covington County Sheriff Ben Ford, along with emergency response officials from Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Jones County Emergency Management Agency, Forrest County Emergency Management Agency, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), Mississippi Department of Health (MDH), Seminary Fire Department,  Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH), Willow Grove Water Association, Southwest Jones Water Association, National Weather Service and American Red Cross are in place at the Command Post.  The following information is being relayed by Incident Command:

•             As a safety precaution, we are still proceeding with the depressurization of the storage cavern as planned. The depressurization began about 3 p.m. CDT on Dec. 28.

•             We’re still venting gas to the atmosphere.  This is a controlled process.

•             The natural gas vented into the atmosphere will dissipate into the air and does not pose a health hazard to neighbors.

•             Since 3 p.m. yesterday we’ve vented about 400 million cubic feet. The flow rate is currently around 225 million cubic feet per day.

•             We do not have an estimated timeline of how long the venting will take before the pressure in cavern 3 is zero.

•             We are working closely with the families who have been temporarily displaced to meet their needs. We realize this is a tremendous inconvenience and appreciate their patience and understanding. National

Weather Service and American Red Cross are on the scene.

View Larger Map
Emergency response officials continue to work closely with Williams Gas Pipeline personnel with whom they are in constant contact with at the Command Post on Salt Dome Road.  Covington County EMA Director Greg Sanford notes, “We are very appreciative of the patience and understanding of those evacuated from their homes during this incident and want them and the community to know that all of our actions are taken out of an abundance of caution.”  He adds, “We are working closely with Sheriff Ben Ford and his staff to ensure site security and integrity of closed roadways as well as assisting family members with temporary entry into their homes to retrieve medication, clothing and personal items in addition to attending to any animals that are at their homes and/or property.  At this time we do not have a firm idea of when evacuees may be allowed to return to their homes and are coordinating our emergency incident action plan along with Williams personnel to ensure everyone’s safety which is our top priority.”

Representatives from the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH) have established six air monitoring stations along with handheld mobile monitors and have conducted over 2,500 air samples in the past twelve hours with no adverse readings detected.  In addition, representatives from MDEQ and  MDH, in coordination with Willow Grove Water Association and Southwest Jones Water Association, are conducting testing of ground water, well water and soil to ensure no contamination from the natural gas leak.  A robust response to the incident, which was initiated following reports of the gas leak, will continue until the situation is successfully resolved.

Filed under: Breaking News, American Red Cross, Ben Ford, Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, Covington County EMA, Covington County Sheriff, Disaster/Accident, Forrest County Emergency Management Agency, gas leak, Greg Sanford, Jones County Emergency Management Agency, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, National Weather Service, Natural gas, Natural gas storage, natural gas storage facility, Seminary Fire Department, Southwest Jones Water Association, Williams Gas, Williams Gas Pipeline, Willow Grove Water Association

Severe Weather to Welcome in 2011?

The National Weather Service as of Tuesday has issued a “Special Weather Statement” as the chance for a significant severe weather outbreak continues to increase for New Year’s Eve.

The statement says:

“… Powerful storm system expected to bring the potential for severe
weather on new years eve…

A large… powerful storm system will impact the arklamiss region
late this week. An unseasonably warm… moist… and unstable airmass
will develop ahead of a strong cold front that is forecast to move
across the region on Friday. Thunderstorms are expected to erupt
along and ahead of the front and March across the area Friday into
Friday night. Very intense winds aloft will result in the potential
for severe storms… with tornadoes… damaging winds… large
hail… and very heavy rainfall all possible.

This system has the potential to produce widespread… significant
severe weather across the arklamiss region during new years eve.
While there remains substantial uncertainty with regard to the exact
timing and hazards… everyone should monitor the latest forecasts and
outlooks from the National Weather Service in Jackson regarding the
severe weather potential later this week. Prepare a plan of action if
severe weather strikes.

PineBeltPRESS.com will continue to keep an eye to the sky. You can get our most up to date information by following us on twitter @pinebeltpress.

Filed under: Ellisville, Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Jones County, Lamar County, Laurel, Marion County, Oak Grove, Petal, Purvis, Sumrall, Weather, National Weather Service, Severe weather, Storm Prediction Center