BROOKHAVEN — National Weather Service in Jackson warns Southwest Mississippi is not out of the severe weather woods quite yet. Storms are forecast to arrive Thursday and into Friday before temperatures take a polar plunge by next Wednesday.

Lincoln, Copiah, Franklin and Lawrence Counties remain at a slight risk of severe storms going into Thursday. The storms could have damaging wind gusts, large hail and possibly tornadoes.

NWS Jackson warns the time window for the storms arrival should be mainly late Thursday and Friday morning.

Dangerous cold early next week is also in the forecast. NWS Jackson states that dangerously cold air will impact the area next week with a 90 percent chance of temperatures being below normal and a high risk of cold temperature hazards Wednesday.

Cold air will move into the area late Monday with the coldest temperatures being recorded Monday night and Tuesday. A long duration freeze will impact pipes and infrastructure. NWS Jackson warns some wintery precipitation may be with this weather and the threat of wintery precipitation such as snow and ice is being monitored.

There is currently a forecasted elevated threat for temperatures to drop to the teens and single digits next week in Lincoln County. Wind chills could be between 0 to nine degrees. Frostbite and hypothermia is possible with prolonged exposure. The cold temperatures will be a danger to exposed pipes as well.

The Daily Leader will provide additional updates on the forecasted polar plunge as we get closer to it. Check back for additional stories about how to prepare for freezing temperatures in the coming days.