Update: Tornado watch issued for portions of southern Mississippi including Hattiesburg
The threat for severe storms including isolated tornadoes remain for South Mississippi Thursday afternoon and evening.
The Storm Prediction Center early Thursday refined the severe storm threat, removing central Mississippi but keeping the southern half of the state under the threat.
A warm front is expected to lift northward across South Mississippi to near or around the Interstate 20 corridor.
Along and south of this boundary, warm, moist and unstable air will surge into the area out ahead of an approaching cold front and combine with strong wind shear to result in some storms becoming strong to severe.
"Severe storms will be possible during the afternoon and evening. The primary risk with these storms will be damaging wind gusts to 60 mph. A few tornadoes and large quarter size hail may also occur," the National Weather Service said.
In addition to the severe storm threat, heavy rain and flooding also remain a threat with widespread amounts of one to two inches likely across north and central Mississippi with up to four inches of rainfall south.
Ground soil conditions are very saturated and many rivers remain high from recent rains and with any additional rainfall, could result in rapid runoff and flash flooding.
Portions of southern Mississippi including Hattiesburg continue to recover from five confirmed tornadoes from severe storms, just over a week ago.
Everyone is strongly advised to stay updated on the latest weather information and prepared to take action in case your area is threatened.
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