Update: Much of Mississippi under tornado watches including Jackson through Monday evening
Residents are strongly advised to be on the alert for the possibility of severe storms including isolated tornadoes.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) and the National Weather Service (NWS) said they continue to closely monitor much of central and all of southern Mississippi for the threat for severe storms by Monday afternoon and evening.
"Severe storms will be possible this afternoon and evening as a strong low pressure system moves east across the region," the NWS said.
"The primary risk with these storms will be damaging wind gusts from 60 to 70 mph along with large hail to the size of golf balls possible with some of the stronger storms. A few tornadoes will also be possible with the greatest risk for areas southeast of the Natchez Trace corridor," the NWS added.
According to the SPC, the tornado threat is expected to increase throughout the day across the region and tornado watches will likely be issued.
"Hail potential is forecast to increase across the area in the short term, followed by an increase in damaging wind/isolated tornado potential later this morning/early afternoon," the SPC said.
Multiple reports of hail hit the New Orleans area overnight with severe storms over southeastern Louisiana, associated with a warm front that was surging north into Mississippi ahead of the approaching cold front.
Along with the severe storms will be very heavy rain, which could top two to four inches with locally higher amounts in some locations, especially over central and southern Mississippi.
With ground soil conditions completely saturated from recent rains and high river levels, flooding is a major concern, specifically over southeastern Mississippi, where many areas have already seen eight to more than 11 inches of rainfall so far this month.
A flash flood watch is in effect through Monday evening for the counties of Amite, Clarke, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Walthall and Wayne.
Everyone should stay updated on the latest weather information as it becomes available.
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