The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for dangerous wind chills as low as 2 below zero forecast for Tallahatchie and several other counties in Mississippi from 9 p.m. Friday (Jan. 30) until 9 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 31).
In Mississippi, the warning includes Calhoun, Chickasaw, Coahoma, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Monroe, Panola, Pontotoc, Quitman, Tallahatchie and Yalobusha counties.
NWS advises to dress in layers, including a hat, face mask and gloves/mittens if you must go outside. Use caution while traveling outside.
The NWS forecast for the Tallahatchie County area is as follows:
» This afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. South-southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
» Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 26. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
» Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
» Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Wind chill values as low as zero. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
» Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 26. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
» Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 10. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
» Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph.
» Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. Calm wind.
» Monday: Sunny, with a high near 47..
NWS offers the following cold weather safety tips:
HEAT SAFETY: If your power is out, NEVER use gas grills, charcoal grills, or camping stoves indoors. These produce deadly carbon monoxide gas which you cannot smell or see. Generators should be operated outdoors only, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors.
CONSERVE HEAT: Keep doors and windows closed. Close curtains and blinds to trap heat inside. Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors. Close off unused rooms to avoid wasting heat.
LAYER CLOTHING: Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers rather than a single heavy layer. Wear a face mask, hat and gloves/mittens to prevent body heat loss.
CHECK YOUR PIPES: In homes without heat, open cabinet doors beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes. Allow faucets to drip to prevent freezing.
LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS: Check on elderly neighbors, friends and family to ensure they are safe and warm, especially if they live alone or have lost power.
