Christmas weather will be ‘absolutely brutal’ on the MS Coast, with wind chill near 0
While the ham and turkeys are roasting in the oven and families gather with that warm holiday glow, outside in South Mississippi the wind chills will make it feel like zero on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
A wind chill advisory begins Thursday at midnight and continues until 10 a.m. Saturday in South Mississippi.
The National Weather Service in New Orleans says the wind chill is expected to fall into the single digits and lower teens over a large portion of the area. There is a slight chance of wind chills hitting zero in some locations Friday morning.
“The wind will be absolutely brutal for multiple reasons, the NWS said, and could lead to loss of power and hazardous driving conditions,” the NWS said.
The dangerously cold temperatures prompted the NWS to issue a special statement warning of the dangers over Christmas weekend in South Mississippi and Southeast Louisiana.
“This airmass will lead to a multitude of hazardous conditions across the area,” the NWS statement says. “Hard freeze, duration of freezing temps, very strong winds and dangerous wind chill conditions would begin as early as Thursday night and will continue to impact the region even after Christmas.”
It’s not just cold, but potentially life-threatening.
“Lows this cold will absolutely wreak havoc on exposed pipes, sensitive vegetation and possibly fatal to many animals and people if they are unable to find cover and warm up,” the NWS says.
The power companies are preparing for the cold weather. Mississippi Power performed its winter weatherization program earlier this year to prepare for extended exposure to sub-freezing temperatures, the company said in a press release, and crews are ready to respond to any outages caused by winter weather.
Cold weather shelters
Cold weather shelters are opening across the Coast while the polar vortex is over South Mississippi, which could last beyond Christmas Day.
▪ Harrison County — two cold-weather shelters will be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. In D’Iberville, Kenny Fournier Multipurpose Center, 10395 Automall Parkway, opens at 5 p.m. each day. In Gulfport, Salvation Army Center of Hope, 2019 22nd St. opens at 6 p.m. each day
Coast Transit Authority will provide free transportation to the D’Iberville shelter by calling 228-896-8080.
▪ In Hancock County, the shelter will open at 6 p.m. Thursday through Monday at the Emergency Operations Center Building at 18333 Mississippi 603 in Kiln. Anyone who needs a ride to the shelter should call the Hancock County Emergency Management Office at 228-255-0942 or the Hancock County Central Dispatch at 228-255-9191.
▪ In Pearl River County, the Poplarville Community Saferoom at 124 Rodeo St. and the Picayune community saferoom at 501 Laurel St. on Thursday at 4 p.m.They will remain open through Monday.
Cold weather tips
Here’s what to know to protect people, pets, plants and property during the extreme cold:
Hypothermia — Cold temperatures and gusty winds can lead to hypothermia. Limit time outdoors or keep skin covered and wear hat and gloves. Bring animals inside when possible.
Broken pipes — Cold and wind chill can freeze exposed pipes and car radiators that aren’t protected. Wrap pipes and keep the water dripping when temperatures are below freezing, and check antifreeze levels in radiators. Know how to shut water off in case pipes break.
Home care — Use space heaters carefully. Open curtains during sunny days and close at night. Put rugs or towels against exterior doors to prevent drafts.
Travel — Pack blankets and emergency supplies in the car when traveling.
A warmup is in the forecast after the weekend, with temperatures reaching the 60s by Thursday.
