A winter storm warning is in effect for all of north Mississippi and the central part of the state is under a winter weather advisory. The weather alerts remain in effect until midnight.
The National Weather Service said sleet was expected to fall over northern Mississippi this morning. It was expected to change to snow this afternoon. David Cox, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Jackson, said the system is expected to move out of the region Thursday morning.
The greatest snow accumulations are expected south of Clarksdale to Oxford to Tupelo. Forecasters say 3 to 6 inches of snow could fall over the area with higher amounts in some areas.
With a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain and some sleet expected to spread across central Mississippi this morning, public schools, universities and colleges in the Golden Triangle announced closings today.
The closings included: the Lowndes County School District, Columbus Municipal School District, Starkville School District and Oktibbeha County School District.
Mississippi University for Women announced Tuesday that all offices and day and evening classes were canceled today. Events scheduled for today were also canceled. The cafeteria will remain open for on-campus students.
Mississippi State University announced Tuesday that its Starkville and Meridian campuses would be closed today. MSU officials said they will make an announcement Thursday at 6 a.m. about the university’s status for Thursday.
East Mississippi Community College also announced that all of its campuses, including the Golden Triangle campus, would be closed today. A decision about Thursday classes at EMCC will be made at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Columbus Air Force Base also announced Tuesday that all non-emergency services would be closed today. Base officials said to expect normal reporting Thursday.
The city of Columbus and Lowndes County offices were also closed today.
Hinds County authorities said a 24-year-old man died early Tuesday when his car slid on a patch of ice and collided with another vehicle on Mississippi Highway 18 in Utica south of Jackson.
Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham Stewart identified the driver as Tranell Epps, 24, of Utica. Epps was pronounced dead at the scene of the 7:09 a.m. accident.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency was warning motorists that icing was reported on bridges and overpasses in north and central Mississippi Tuesday.
MEMA spokesman Greg Flynn said that while the precipitation was ending Tuesday, it would take some time for ice to melt on roadways, overpasses and bridges.
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