Forecasters continue to alert Mississippians about the potential for tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds later tonight. Although parts of the state will remain cool, areas south of I-20 will warm up quickly as the warm sector of a powerful cold front takes hold. Areas that do become humid and warm today will have the best shot for severe weather Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Just about the entire state is under a wind advisory through Wednesday afternoon.

The Level 3 risk area includes likely tornadoes, winds up to 70 miles per hour, and large hail. Some cities in the risk area include Hattiesburg, Picayune, Poplarville, Wiggins, Lucedale, and the Gulf Coast.

A Level 2 risk includes Quitman, Laurel, Collins, Columbia, and Woodville. People in this risk level can expect possible tornadoes, damaging winds up to70 miles per hour, and large hail.

The larger Level 1 risk area includes just south of Columbus and Starkville, Philadelphia, Jackson, Vicksburg, Brookhaven, McComb, and Natchez. This area could experience an isolated tornado, large hail, and damaging wind gusts.

Right now, forecasters expect storms to move into the area around 6 p.m. and leave the state around 33 a.m. Wednesday.

North Mississippi

Increasing clouds with a slight chance of rain later in the day and a high of 53. Showers tonight with a low of 38. Winds could gust up to 35 miles per hour. Rainfall up to an inch possible.

Central Mississippi

Increasing clouds with a chance of rain and thunderstorms during the day with showers and storms becoming more widespread later. High of 57. Wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour. Showers likely tonight with a few thunderstorms with a low of 41. Rainfall up to one inch possible.

South Mississippi

Increasing clouds with a chance of rain and storms after 1 p.m. with storms becoming more widespread in the late afternoon. High of 63 with wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms likely with some storms severe. Low of 44 once the storms leave the region. Rainfall up to two inches possible.

Gulf Coast

Increasing clouds with showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. Wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour with a high of 67. Showers and thunderstorms likely tonight with some severe storms possible. Winds could gust up to 45 miles per hour with lows around 51. Rainfall up to an inch possible.