Winter storm could bring coldest air of the season to South MS. See the forecast

A winter storm sweeping across the country will descend on southern Mississippi next week with frigid air that forecasters say could burst pipes and plummet temperatures to the coldest point this season.

The coastal counties will avoid the ice and snow expected to cripple much of the Deep South this weekend. But forecasters said cold air surging across the frozen region will reach the coast by Sunday.

The National Weather Service predicted temperatures across the coastline could drop to the lower 20s by Monday morning. Strong breezes could plunge windchills to single digits north of Interstate 10.

The winter blast could endure through Tuesday. Temperatures will rise above freezing during the day and plummet after sunset. Forecasters are warning hard freezes could last 7 to 10 hours Sunday night through Monday morning and 12 to 14 hours Monday night through Tuesday morning.

Temperatures will be lowest on Tuesday. But Monday may feel even colder because of 12 to 15 mph winds, said Christopher Bannan, a forecaster at the National Weather Service in Slidell.

The front surging south will also stay cold because it will move over snow and ice north of coastal Mississippi.

“That’s why we’re going to get those real cold temperatures,” Bannan said.

Forecasters are urging residents to protect exposed pipes and bring pets indoors. The windchill Monday morning could also lead to frostbite. Temperatures will rise later in the week, but Wednesday morning lows could also drop to near-freezing along the coastline.

The cold will likely prompt the National Weather Service to issue a freeze warning, Bannan said.