EMA provides update on winter weather

WEATHER UPDATE 11:30 a.m., Friday, January 17, 2025 

The National Weather Service office in Mobile, Ala., which has forecast responsibilities for Wayne County, provided the following information about next week’s weather during a briefing held late this morning: 

Bitter cold temperatures expected Sunday night through Wednesday with SLOW warming trend starting later Wednesday and into Thursday.Single-digit wind chills (8 to 9 degrees on average) possible in Wayne County Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Air temperatures will be around 18 to 19 degrees, at their lowest, starting Sunday night. Wednesday might not get above freezing all day.Low to moderate risk (20 to 50 percent) of some kind of frozen precipitation … great deal of uncertainty four days out of what that precipitation will be.

Snow, sleet possible early Tuesday through Tuesday night. If we get snow, it could be ½ inch best case and 2 inches worst case.

Freezing rain less likely (0 to 9 percent) chance. If we get freezing rain, it could be ½ inch accumulation. Forecasters have low confidence in freezing rain.

Any precipitation will make road dangerous. Moisture will re-freeze making night travel particularly treacherous.A lot will depend if Low Pressure forms and hugs coast, goes south into Gulf away from coast or fails to form entirely. Closer low is to Mississippi coast, the greater chance we will have of snow/sleet/freezing rain/ice accumulations from coast northward to Meridian. 

TRACK OF LOW REMAINS UNKNOWN. EVEN IF WE DO NOT SEE MOISTURE FROM LOW, WE WILL FACE A BITTER COLD.

Road conditions will deteriorate rapidly with any precipitation because of bitter cold. Make certain your vehicles, pipes, pets are prepared. Please check on neighbors. Power outages possible with traffic accidents; falling trees, limbs.

We are endeavoring to establish a WARMING STATION at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department building on Court Street. Angela is negotiating that now as to when it would be available. 

No supplies will be provided that choose to utilize facility … this will be a warm place to go only for Wayne County residents.