Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Portions of southeastern Mississippi could see an accumulation of snow and sleet Tuesday into Wednesday morning, according to National Weather Service predictions.

Forecasters also said there will be dangerous wind chill readings over southeastern Arkansas and north central Mississippi on Monday night into Tuesday. Wind chill readings are forecast to be in the single digits

The wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet was expected Tuesday along and south of the U.S. Highway 84 corridor and north of the three coastal counties of Harrison, Hancock and Jackson. A winter storm watch has been issued for the region through Wednesday morning.

Forecasters said a mix of freezing rain, sleet and light snow was expected Tuesday, gradually ending Wednesday morning.

Total ice accumulations from one-quarter to one-third of an inch were expected early Wednesday, with total sleet and snow accumulations of one to three inches.

David Cox, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, said the region is under a winter storm watch through Wednesday morning.

Cox said the lows Tuesday morning will be in the low 20s, with Tuesday's high reaching the upper 20s.

Cox said Wednesday's low will again be in the low 20s and that if there's snow on the ground, it should stick around that day.

"Right now, there's a watch, which means there's a potential for a winter storm and snowfall, so we'll have to keep an eye on it," Cox said.

In Harrison County, Emergency Manager Rupert Lacy said the timing of the front's arrival is still fluid.

"We're playing it by ear," he said.

Southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast are most likely to get the bad weather, but those to the north should watch forecasts as well.

"This could affect areas as far north as Hattiesburg," Lacy said.