Friday morning will bring the chance for severe storms across the Magnolia State.

Much of the northern half of Mississippi is under a Level 3 risk, beginning about 6 a.m. The primary threat will be destructive winds, but tornadoes and hail can’t be ruled out.

The Level 3 threat stretches from northern Mississippi all the way south towards the I-20 corridor. Winds of up to 80 miles per hour are possible with power outages expected. We’ll also have some spots with torrential rainfall, so be careful driving. Always turn around to avoid flooding roadways.

A Level 2 covers all remaining areas of the state. Damaging winds up to 70 miles per hour, hail, and tornadoes are all possible.

Severe storms are expected to move out of Mississippi by noon Friday.

After the storms move through, we will remain under a Level 2 risk statewide for strong winds. Winds up to 50 miles per hour are possible as the front moves through, even away from thunderstorms. More power outages are quite possible from these strong winds anywhere in the state.

We’re still watching a winter storm marching towards Alabama. Make plans this weekend to prepare for temperatures below freezing for several days. We’ll discuss details on that forecast once we get through this severe weather event.

North Mississippi

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly in the morning. Some of the storms could be severe. Temperatures rising to 60 in the morning, then falling to near 40 as the front moves through. Windy with gusts as high as 50 miles per hour. Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming clear overnight. Low of 25 with wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

Central Mississippi

Showers and storms. A few storms could be severe. Temperatures rising to 63 early, then dropping to 45 by the end of the day. Windy. Mostly clear Friday night with a low of 25. Wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour.

South Mississippi

Showers likely with a thunderstorm possible in the morning, then showers and storms. A few storms could be severe. Temperatures rising to the upper-60s in the morning, then dropping to near 50 in the afternoon. Wind gusts could be as high as 40 miles per hour. Becoming clear overnight with a low of 28. Wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour.

Gulf Coast

Showers and storms likely in the morning, then a slight chance in the afternoon. A storm or two could be strong to severe. Gradually clearing with a high of 70 in the morning, then temperatures dropping into the 50s in the afternoon. Wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour. Clear overnight with a low of 32.