South MS will face more freezing temperatures after ‘utterly frigid’ morning

A winter storm blasting across the country sent temperatures plummeting on Monday in South Mississippi.

Overnight lows across the region dropped between 20 and 30 degrees, with wind chills in the lower teens.

Forecasters warned Tuesday would be even colder.

Southern Mississippi avoided the worst of the storm, which iced roads and bridges with sleet and snow across the northern part of the state, and led to power outages.

Still, the region is under an extreme cold warning that the National Weather Service said would last until noon on Tuesday. The agency warned Monday morning would be “utterly frigid.”

The weather closed or delayed start times at some schools on Monday, and emergency responders urged residents in need to visit cold weather shelters. Wind gusts up to 25 mph on Monday were creating dangerous conditions that could lead to frostbite, forecasters said.

Monday’s high will barely reach 40 degrees. Temperatures are expected to plummet fast after sunset, and could reach 22 degrees from Gulfport to Pascagoula.

Forecasters also said winds Tuesday morning will make it feel closer to 15 degrees.

This is a developing story and may be updated.