Cold, wet weather to remain through weekend

Published 1:56 pm Thursday, January 22, 2026

A winter storm is expected to move across m most of the state beginning Friday afternoon, with the weather arriving in Meridian sometime between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. Photo courtesy of National Weather Service Jackson

Below freezing temperatures and precipitation arriving Saturday are expected to last through the weekend as a winter storm moves across much of the state.

In a forecast update, Michael Hill, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Jackson said all types of precipitation are on the table through Sunday, but freezing rain and sleet are the two primary forms expected. The storm is expected to cause power outages and make traveling difficult in a large portion of the state.

“Expect major travel impacts and infrastructure impacts to last through at least early next week,” he said.

The worst of the winter storm impact is expected in North Mississippi and down into the Mississippi Delta, Hill said, while Southeastern portions of the state are forecast to see milder impacts. A transitional area including Natchez, Brookhaven and Meridian is less certain, he said.

“That is where we do not know exactly where the cutoff for freezing rain and rain will be,” he said.

For the Meridian area, the storm is expected to arrive sometime between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, with precipitation continuing through Sunday.

Along with the precipitation, dangerously cold temperatures will remain in the area for several days as well. Hill said wind chills of 15 degrees or below are expected with lows in the 15-25 degree range and high temperatures staying below freezing. A hazard by itself, the cold will also keep any precipitation from melting, he said, which will further disrupt travel.

“Once it starts falling on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it’s going to stick around for a long time because we are going to be below freezing until at least Tuesday,” he said. “So any accumulations that come up on Friday, Saturday into Sunday will be on the ground, on power lines, on surfaces through at least Tuesday.”

In a statement Thursday, the city of Meridian announced a warming shelter will be opened at Multi-County Community Service Agency Saturday and Sunday for those needing a warm place to stay. Doors will be open from 5-7 p.m. each night for people to arrive. Food and water will be provided.