A blast of frigid Arctic air is expected to sweep across the United States early next week, bringing unseasonally cold weather and possible snow or other winter precipitation to Mississippi.
While the cold front will be felt throughout the state, temperatures in some areas could dip as low as the mid-teens on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the latest AccuWeather forecast shows. Parts of the state could also see snow flurries and other seasonal precipitation, including sleet and freezing rain.
“We’re looking at a couple of nights in a row with temperatures that drop into the 15-degree, 20-degree-type range,” Nicholas Fenner, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Jackson, told the Mississippi Free Press on Jan. 17. “And then it’ll be a slow dig out at the end of the week.”
Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures carries serious health risks and can cause significant property damage. Before temperatures drop, state agencies are advising residents to take certain steps to prepare for next week’s weather and ensure the safety of family members and pets. These include insulating pipes and “winterizing” homes, stocking up on warm clothing and other supplies and readying cars to navigate adverse conditions.
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“From a public perspective, (our biggest priority) is just making sure that people are going to be warm,” said Greg Flynn, director of external affairs at the Mississippi State Department of Health. “We want to make sure people are checking on their neighbors, their family and their friends, especially the elderly (who) may not have access to a lot of resources.”
A graphic from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency offers instructions for thawing frozen pipes in homes. State agencies say homeowners should insulate their pipes ahead of next week’s frigid temperatures. Graphic courtesy MSEMA ” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tips-for-Thawing-Frozen-Pipes_cred-MSEMA.png?fit=300%2C251&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tips-for-Thawing-Frozen-Pipes_cred-MSEMA.png?fit=780%2C654&ssl=1″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tips-for-Thawing-Frozen-Pipes_cred-MSEMA.png?resize=780%2C654&ssl=1″ alt=”Tips for Thawing Frozen Water Pipes” class=”wp-image-211782″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tips-for-Thawing-Frozen-Pipes_cred-MSEMA.png?w=940&ssl=1 940w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tips-for-Thawing-Frozen-Pipes_cred-MSEMA.png?resize=300%2C251&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tips-for-Thawing-Frozen-Pipes_cred-MSEMA.png?resize=768%2C644&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tips-for-Thawing-Frozen-Pipes_cred-MSEMA.png?resize=400%2C335&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/www.mississippifreepress.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tips-for-Thawing-Frozen-Pipes_cred-MSEMA.png?w=370&ssl=1 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”>A graphic from the Mississippi Emergency Management