Risk of strong tornadoes expands for Mississippi Tuesday
Areas of Mississippi from roughly Clarksdale, southeast to Louisville and south are in the enhanced risk category as of 6 a.m. Tuesday. The area north of that is in the slight risk category.
The area under enhanced risk faces the likelihood of severe storms and tornadoes and some of the tornadoes could be strong. According to the National Weather Service, strong tornadoes are those classified as EF2 and EF3 with wind speeds of 111-165 miles per hour.
Damaging winds with gusts up to 70 miles per hour are also possible in the enhanced risk area as is hail up to quarter-size.
In the area under a slight risk warning, severe storms with damaging winds up to 60 miles per hour, tornadoes and hail up to quarter-size are possible.
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According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, areas in West Mississippi should see storms from about noon until 4 p.m. The system will continue eastward with the possibility of severe weather in the Jackson area from 2-6 p.m. and the eastern portion of the state from 4-8 p.m.
However, the National Weather Service told the Clarion-Ledger on Monday that damaging wind gusts of 45-50 miles per hour may move into the western portions of the state earlier Tuesday morning.
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Tuesday: High 74 degrees, showers likely then possible severe thunderstorms after 3 p.m. into evening, wind advisory
Wednesday: Low 47 degrees, high 58 degrees, mostly cloudy then gradually clearing
Thursday: Low 35 degrees, high 60 degrees, mostly sunny
Friday: Low 44 degrees, high 75 degrees, mostly cloudy
Saturday: Low 53 degrees, high 71 degrees, partly sunny with chance of showers and thunderstorms
Sunday: Low 42 degrees, high 62 degrees, sunny
Tuesday: High 76 degrees, showers, then possible severe thunderstorms after 5 p.m., wind advisory
Wednesday: Low 50 degrees, high 63 degrees, sunny
Thursday: Low 38 degrees, high 63 degrees, sunny
Friday: Low 43 degrees, high 77 degrees, partly sunny
Saturday: Low 57 degrees, high 76 degrees, showers likely with possible thunderstorm
Sunday: Low 47 degrees, high 65 degrees, mostly sunny
Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Weather today: Mississippi at risk of strong tornadoes on Tuesday
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