The first freeze of the year could reach the MS Coast this week. Here’s the forecast

The first freeze of the year could gust through the Mississippi Coast on Friday, the National Weather Service said, cooling temperatures close to or below freezing for each coastal county.

Slacking rain Thursday afternoon will bring on a cold front that could drop temperatures to the low 30s Friday morning, said Megan Williams, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Slidell. Windchill could make it feel close to 20 degrees.

“Temperatures should be dropping pretty quickly,” Williams said. “It’s looking quite cold.”

Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties are under a cold weather advisory from midnight through 8 a.m. Friday.

Williams said the cold will reach across the Coast, with higher risk of freezes north of Interstate 10. The possibility of below-freezing weather is highest Friday and Saturday mornings but temperatures will warm again later this weekend and early next week.

Cold weather shelters

Harrison County is opening two shelters: the Kenny Fournier Multipurpose Center in D’Iberville and the Salvation Army Center of Hope in Gulfport.

The Kenny Fournier Multipurpose Center opens at 4:30 p.m. and is located at 10395 Automall Parkway.

The Salvation Army Center of Hope opens at 6 p.m. and is located at 2019 22nd St.

Hancock County is opening its Emergency Operations Center at 18333 Hwy. 603 in Kiln. The cold weather safe room is open from 7 p.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday.

The Poplarville Community Saferoom at 124 Rodeo Street opens at 3 p.m. Thursday. The Pearl River County Office of Emergency Services said residents can bring anything needed but no pets are allowed.

This is a developing story and may be updated with additional cold weather shelter openings.

This story was originally published December 5, 2024 at 1:31 PM.