Severe Potential for Tuesday-Starkville, MS

This is the current severe weather outlook according to the Storm Prediction Center.  Warm air and ample moisture currently in place ahead of an approaching cold front will spark thunderstorms Tuesday morning into Tuesday afternoon.  These storms will move eastward across Louisiana and Mississippi Tuesday afternoon, reaching western Alabama by sunset or shortly after sunset.  Areas around and south of I-20 in northern Louisiana and southern Mississippi (Jackson, Meridian, New Orleans) have the greatest risk of severe weather.  Severe thunderstorms with wind gusts in excess of 60 MPH are possible in these areas (highlighted in red) where a few tornadoes are also possible given the amount of shear in place.  Clouds and morning showers will keep temperatures and instability slightly lower further to the north along I-82 in central Mississippi (Starkville, Columbus, Winona) where the risk for severe weather is lower.  Strong thunderstorms with wind gusts of up to 40 MPH are possible in this area (highlighted in orange).  I will keep this updated as the storm system develops.