The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued an ice storm warning effective until midnight Friday. Heavier freezing rain is moving into the area and dangerous ice accumulations will begin to develop. A half-inch of ice is predicted for the Starkville area. The warning area is comprised of Montgomery, Webster, Clay, Lowndes, Choctaw, Oktibbeha and Attala counties. This warning affects residents of Winona, Eupora, Maben, Mathiston, West Point, Columbus, Ackerman, Weir, Kosciusko and Starkville.
Numerous car accidents have already been reported due to icing of bridges, including a 19-vehicle accident on Highway 45 South in Shannon, according to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Since early afternoon Friday, more than 50 weather-related accidents have occurred in Lee County, located outside the warning area.
An ice storm warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible. Those hazards could result in snapped power lines and falling tree branches in and around the warning area.
The MSU meteorology department reported earlier Friday afternoon that bridges and other elevated surfaces in Oktibbeha County were icing over. Officials urge residents and students not to travel unless necessary.
MSU officials made the decision to suspend all activities at 1 p.m. Friday due to the threat of icy conditions in the region. Those conditions have caused reports of icing on bridges in seven counties.
Icy conditions are expected to continue until mid-morning Saturday, when temperatures are expected to rise above freezing.
The Reflector will be providing continuous weather updates as they become available.
For traffic information, visit the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Web site here.