Weather update: National Weather Service increases area of extreme cold threat

The National Weather Service has increased the area under an extreme threat of cold pushing through the state overnight.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency alerted citizens to the update on social media.

Most of Northern Mississippi and parts of Central Mississippi are currently under an extreme threat of temperatures dropping below 10º on Thursday. Much of the state can expect a significant cold threat with temperatures below 15º.

On Monday, Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer stated the extreme cold conditions are expected to last through the Christmas weekend.

“It looks like, overnight Thursday, into Friday and through the Christmas weekend, we’re going to have some significant threat for some dangerous cold,” said Elfer.

Low temperatures are expected to be in the teens with wind chills below freezing. Elfer states the highs will struggle to get above freezing for several days.