BROOKHAVEN — Southwest Mississippi is in the green Marginal risk category with severe thunderstorms forecast Friday. While the chance of rain is around 80 percent to end the work week, more could come with the expected storms.

NWS Jackson warns there is a marginal risk for damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, hail up to quarter size and isolated severe thunderstorms. A few tornadoes can not be ruled out. Lincoln County has had one tornado this year when an EF1 touched down in the Little Bahalia community Northeast of Brookhaven.

Mississippi has seen 31 tornadoes this year the most recent ones touched down on April 3, 2023. Tornadoes are not the only weather hazard facing the region. Heavy rains could inundate low lying areas and urban environments through flash flooding. Two to three inches of rainfall could fall in a short amount of time Friday.

Winds will be strong Thursday with 10-to-15 mph winds and gusts hitting 20 mph. It will otherwise be mostly sunny with a high of 82. Thursday night has a low of 62.

Check back as we provide additional updates before, during and after severe storms threaten the community.