A winter weather warning is in effect for Vicksburg and Warren County at least through 6 a.m. Monday, with National Weather Service predictions calling for a mix of snow and sleet, possible ice accumulations of 1/2 inch and total snow accumulations of 2 to 7 inches.

Anticipating the storm, local authorities were urging people to stay home.

“We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” Sheriff Martin Pace said Saturday. “Deputies are all on stand-by, over and above our regular shifts. If we do begin to receive winter precipitation, I strongly encourage people to stay at home and enjoy it. We do not need extra traffic on the roads.”

Police Chief Walter Armstrong said extra patrols and officers would be called in if needed. “Particularly if we get ice, people need to stay in,” the chief said.

Saturday night, Entergy spokesman Don Arnold said an additional 1,500 service personnel had already been brought into the area from Texas, Florida and other areas for anticipated downed power line and outages.

“We’re prepared,” Arnold said. Weather models were suggesting a line of ice “right along the I-20 corridor,” he said.

“Usually in an ice storm we see a lot of power lines down,” Arnold cautioned. “People need to stay away from any downed lines. If you do see them, call us and let us know about it.”

After Saturday’s clear skies, bright sunshine and highs in the 50s, the National Weather Service in Jackson was forecasting a mix of rain and sleet beginning in the early morning hours today.