Update on Christmas Weather

Weather models are tending to agree on a developing storm system that will affect Mississippi leading into Christmas.  We should see rain chances increasing Sunday night through Monday morning, with some storms possibly producing small hail.

For Christmas Day, we may see an intense squall line move across the area, with the greatest risk for severe weather being generally along and south of a line from Vicksburg to Starkville.  Widespread heavy rain is possible north of this line as well, with 1" to 3" possible across the area, with locally heavier amounts possible.

Yesterday's chances for snow in the Delta have diminished with today's forecast.

Again, the key message is to remain aware of this developing weather system and be prepared to amend your Christmas travel plans if necessary.  Use caution when traveling through heavy rains and on wet roadways.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
516 AM CST SUN DEC 23 2012

ASHLEY-CHICOT-MOREHOUSE-WEST CARROLL-EAST CARROLL-RICHLAND-
BOLIVAR-SUNFLOWER-LEFLORE-GRENADA-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-WEBSTER-
WASHINGTON-HUMPHREYS-HOLMES-ISSAQUENA-SHARKEY-YAZOO-
516 AM CST SUN DEC 23 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

A FEW STRONG STORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL UP TO PENNY
SIZE...HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING WILL BE POSSIBLE
SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH EARLY MONDAY AS A FAST MOVING DISTURBANCE
AFFECTS THE REGION.

A MUCH MORE COMPLEX AND POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO
EVOLVE OVER THE REGION CHRISTMAS DAY. INITIALLY...THERE WILL BE
POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAIN OF ONE TO THREE INCHES TO DEVELOP TUESDAY
INTO TUESDAY NIGHT. THERE IS ALSO AN INCREASING CONCERN THAT SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS COULD BE POSSIBLE. AS COLDER AIR SURGES SOUTHWARD
BEHIND THE SYSTEM...RAIN COULD CHANGE OVER TO SNOW OVER NORTHERN
PORTIONS OF THE ARKLAMISS. LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS...ESPECIALLY ON GRASSY
SURFACES WILL BE POSSIBLE LATE TUESDAY NIGHT.

THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY REGARDING THIS STORM SYSTEM AND
EVERYONE IS URGED TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND OUTLOOKS.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS COULD BE NECESSARY TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT.

***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***