80-mph gusts, hail, tornadoes a possibility across South MS this weekend, forecasters say

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A round of strong thunderstorms is forecast to surge through Mississippi Coast on Saturday with blasting winds and hail that could spawn tornadoes and disrupt weekend St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Forecasters said the storms could be severe, with wind gusts up to 80 mph and hail larger than a quarter. Tornadoes are also possible. The worst of the weather is expected Saturday afternoon.

“There’s some potential for strong tornadoes,” said Danielle Manning, a forecaster at the National Weather Service in Slidell. “The number one thing you can do right now is plan ahead for how you’re going to get warnings and where your shelter is going to be.”

The forecast will become clearer closer to Saturday. But Manning said Thursday that forecasters believe the threat will last through Saturday evening.

The National Weather Service said the highest risk is across southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, including Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties. The forecast suggests storms could produce a few strong, long-tracked tornadoes anywhere from Baton Rouge to Biloxi and the rest of South Mississippi.

Forecasters said a few tornadoes could be rated EF-2 or greater, delivering wind gusts of 111 to 135 mph. Storm gusts up to 80 mph, as forecasters are predicting, are comparable to the sustained winds of a Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane force winds are sustained for a minute or more, while gusts last just seconds.

“It is vitally important that you have a way to receive warnings during the day on Saturday,” Kevin Gilmore, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Slidell, said during a Thursday afternoon briefing.

He also said residents should prepare for the possibility of power outages.

A few storms could start as early as Friday evening. Weaker thunderstorms could begin Saturday morning and become worse through the day.

The storms are forecast to pass between 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Gilmore said. Forecasters encouraged residents to review tornado plans and have a place to shelter, preferably a small interior room with no windows on the lowest floor of a sturdy structure.

This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 9:42 AM.