Thunderstorms with a risk of damaging winds, tornados and large hail are expected to hit Vicksburg this afternoon and could continue throughout the evening, said Joanne Culin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson.

“We are expecting a fairly significant severe weather event for the afternoon going into the late night and early morning,” she said.

Culin said the bulk of the storm, which likely will put the area under a wind advisory with winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts near 40 mph for most of the day, are expected between 3 and 10 p.m.

Warm temperatures over the last few days have created a “fairly stout upper level storm system” that comes out of a moist air mass. Culin expects the storm to form over Northeast Louisiana between noon and 3 p.m.

Highs near 76 are expected for today, but the storm will bring lows in the low 40s by nighttime.

Light rain is possible early Tuesday, when highs are expected to be around 51 degrees.

“Temperatures are expected to be cooler than we’ve been seeing — unfortunately,” Culin said.

But, the weather will warm up again Wednesday, when sunshine and highs in the lower 60s are on tap, she added.

National Weather Service, Jackson, MS