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Jackson, Mississippi – Dangerously cold conditions continue across much of Mississippi this morning, with the highest risk expected to persist through midday before gradual improvement.

According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, overnight low temperatures dropped below 10 degrees in parts of the state, with some locations experiencing extreme cold conditions classified as Level 4 impacts. Winds are slowly shifting to a more southerly direction, which should help temperatures rise to near or just above freezing by noon.

Until then, forecasters warn that frostbite can occur in 30 minutes or less on exposed skin, and hypothermia is possible with prolonged exposure, especially for those without reliable heat or power. Damage to exposed pipes and water mains is also a concern under these conditions.

The most significant impacts are being felt across central and northern Mississippi, including Jackson, Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Greenville, Greenwood, Philadelphia, Meridian, Brookhaven, and Hattiesburg. Travel corridors such as Interstate 20, Interstate 55, Interstate 59, U.S. Highway 49, and the Natchez Trace Parkway may see lingering cold-related hazards during the morning hours.

While temperatures are expected to moderate somewhat through midweek, the National Weather Service notes that conditions will remain cold, and another surge of cold air is expected late this week, reinforcing winter hazards across the region.

Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, dress in multiple warm layers, and bring pets indoors. Officials also encourage checking on elderly neighbors and those without adequate heating as conditions remain hazardous.

Students, early-shift workers, and commuters traveling before noon may experience the most severe impacts, particularly in rural or exposed areas.

Forecasters advise continuing to monitor official updates as temperatures slowly recover today, while preparing for renewed cold later in the week.

Jackson, Mississippi – Dangerous arctic air is forecast to surge into central Mississippi beginning Friday night, bringing wind chills below 5 degrees and possible subzero values that could threaten public safety.

According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, a significant cold wave will impact the region Friday night through Sunday morning, accompanied by gusty winds following a strong cold front. Sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching 35 to 40 mph, will dramatically lower apparent temperatures across much of the state.

Wind chill values are expected to fall below 5 degrees, with subzero wind chills possible, especially overnight and during the early morning hours. The coldest conditions are expected near major transportation corridors, including Interstate 55, Interstate 20, Interstate 59, and US-49, where open terrain can increase wind exposure.

Forecasters warn that frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes on exposed skin, and prolonged exposure may lead to hypothermia. In addition to health risks, the extreme cold may cause damage to exposed pipes, water main breaks, and potential power outages, particularly in areas still recovering from recent winter storms.

Strong winds may also bring down weakened trees or limbs, potentially complicating power restoration efforts and creating hazards for high-profile vehicles traveling along highways.

Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, dress in multiple warm layers, and ensure proper heating indoors. The National Weather Service also advises checking on elderly neighbors, family members, and those without reliable heat, while bringing pets indoors.

Homeowners should protect plumbing by insulating exposed pipes and allowing faucets to drip during the coldest periods.

For overnight workers, students, and weekend travelers, conditions may be especially dangerous near roadways late Friday night into Saturday morning.

Temperatures are expected to slowly moderate late Sunday, but officials emphasize that the weekend cold poses a serious risk if precautions are not taken.

Jackson, Mississippi — A surge of unseasonably cold air is expected to return to central Mississippi this weekend, bringing dangerous wind chills and subfreezing temperatures that could impact travel and outdoor safety along Interstate 20, I-55, and surrounding roadways.

According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, the region is under an Elevated (Level 2) cold risk from Friday night through Sunday morning. Forecast guidance shows wind chills ranging from -2 to 7 degrees, with overnight lows dropping below 20 degrees in some locations and daytime highs struggling to rise much above freezing.

The cold blast will be mostly dry, though forecasters note that a few light rain showers or brief snow flurries cannot be completely ruled out. Even without significant precipitation, the cold alone poses hazards for both travel and infrastructure.

Road conditions may deteriorate overnight as cold pavement temperatures allow any residual moisture to freeze quickly. Bridges, overpasses, and elevated ramps along I-20, I-55, I-220, and U.S. Highway 49 are especially vulnerable to slick spots during late-night and early-morning hours.

The National Weather Service warns that frostbite and hypothermia are possible with prolonged exposure, particularly for those outdoors without proper protection. Exposed pipes are also at risk of freezing, which could lead to burst plumbing and water outages.

Residents are urged to take precautions now, including protecting pipes, bringing pets indoors, and checking on elderly neighbors and others sensitive to cold. Drivers should plan for cold starts, ensure vehicles are winter-ready, and allow extra travel time overnight and early Saturday and Sunday mornings.

While temperatures are expected to moderate early next week, the National Weather Service emphasizes that this weekend’s cold poses a significant safety concern due to its duration and intensity.

Students, overnight workers, and early-morning commuters traveling along major corridors should prepare for hazardous cold conditions and monitor forecast updates as the weekend approaches.

After months of dispute, Jackson is poised to start receiving sanitation fees from JXN Water again, according to City Attorney Drew Martin.

Martin said JXN Water has committed, "on the record in federal court," to resume paying sanitation fees for 2026, starting with payments owed for January 2026.

"We do have a commitment from JXN Water to start paying sanitation fees for 2026 beginning with what is owed in January," Martin said. "Those payments are due 45 days after so we haven't received that first payment for January yet, but we should shortly. And we have a commitment that's on the record in federal court that they will continue to make those payments throughout 2026."

While sanitation fees are billed monthly, Mississippi law generally gives public entities up to 45 days to pay an approved invoice, meaning the city would not expect to receive its first sanitation payment for January until mid-February.

The city pays Richard's Disposal Inc., approximately $870,000 per month for residential garbage pick-up.

However, JXN Water has not yet agreed to repay the past-due sanitation fees it owes the city — dating back to the spring of 2025 and totaling approximately $14 million, according to city officials.

"We do not have an agreement for yet on the back payments," Martin said. "But we're working on it."

Because of that uncertainty, Ward 7 Councilman Kevin Parkinson again amended the city’s claims docket to allow sanitation bills to be paid from the general fund. The fund dedicated to sanitation ran short amid the ongoing dispute with JXN Water. The council unanimously passed Parkinson's amendment as well as claims as a whole.

The Clarion Ledger has reached out to JXN Water and is waiting for a response.

Background: Why sanitation fees are tied up

Jackson residents pay for water, sewer and garbage service through a single monthly bill. JXN Water is responsible for collecting those bills from residents — a task that has remained a challenge since the utility took over the city’s water and sewer system under a federally mandated order following the Jackson water crisis.

While JXN Water manages the water and sewer system, the City of Jackson remains responsible for residential trash pickup. Under that arrangement, JXN Water is supposed to transfer the sanitation portion of residents’ monthly bills to the city.

That process broke down in the spring of 2025, when JXN Water began withholding sanitation fees it had already collected, citing ongoing cash shortfalls. Interim Third-Party Water Manager Ted Henifin has said the utility took that step because the city owes millions of dollars in unpaid water bills — most of them tied to long-running leaks at the Jackson Zoo.

The sanitation fee dispute has unfolded alongside a broader federal court fight over water rates. JXN Water has asked U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate for approval to raise water rates for a second time, arguing the increase is necessary to cover operating costs and debt service payments. The city has opposed the increase, saying other funding options should be explored first.

Wingate, who oversees JXN Water under a federal consent decree, has not yet ruled on the proposed rate increase, despite months of hearings and filings. The delay has frustrated JXN Water officials who first announced the need for a rate increase in the spring of 2025.

During a November hearing, Wingate pressed Henifin on what legal authority he had to withhold sanitation fees already paid by residents. Henifin acknowledged he had “none,” but said the fees would be released once the city settles its outstanding water debt. It remains unclear whether that debt — which Henifin has previously said totals more than $6.9 million related to water service at the Jackson Zoo — has been paid.

is the Jackson beat reporter. Contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.

Charlie Drape

Every so often, regional politics are uncomplicated.

At least for now.

The Jackson City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Jan. 27 to approve a resolution forming "a regional alliance" with neighboring counties and cities to pursue improvements along West County Line Road. It's a major transportation corridor near Tougaloo College.

The resolution brings together the City of Jackson, Madison County, Hinds County, the City of Ridgeland and the Madison County Economic Development Authority in what officials described as the early stages of a coordinated infrastructure effort. It envisions a significantly expanded West County Line Road corridor, citing increased traffic demands and development in the area.

So why all the regional harmony? The answer sits just up the road.

Just north of Tougaloo College, Amazon Web Services is building a campus-style hyper data center in Madison County, a project referenced a few times in the resolution and is expected "to prompt and to anchor significant economic growth in the area" along West County Line Road. In the last two years, Mississippi has seen major data center construction announcements in Madison, Meridian and just three months ago in Brandon.

Mike Espy, an attorney for the Madison County Board of Supervisors who addressed the Jackson council on the county’s behalf, said the goal of the project is "for the purpose of improving, modernizing, expanding West County Line Road all the way from I-55 to Highway 49, to expand it to four lanes or even beyond."

Espy said Madison County intends to take the lead on paying for the project, estimating the initial cost at around $33 million. He said the project would be built in three segments, starting near Tougaloo College, with the remaining portions coming later.

The project’s scope makes regional cooperation unavoidable, Espy said, with the corridor cutting through four jurisdictions: Jackson, Hinds County, Ridgeland and Madison County.

"So it's going to take everyone to join together to make it happen," he said.

And the key point for Jackson? It won’t cost the city a dime.

At least for now.

It was Ward 2 Councilwoman Tina Clay who pressed Espy to be clear that the project would not require any financial contribution from the City of Jackson.

Espy responded that the Madison County Board of Supervisors had already voted to move forward with the project and would serve as its sponsor, noting that county officials had communicated that role to the federal government.

“We don’t envision any financial request from the City of Jackson for this,” Espy said.

But Clay continued to press for a more definitive assurance, seeking clarity on whether Jackson could be asked to contribute funding as the project moves forward.

Espy reiterated that Madison County officials do not currently "envision" asking other partners to contribute funding.

“If that changes,” Espy added, “I’ll be the first one to call your lawyer.”

The resolution ended up passing in a 6-0 vote. Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes was not in attendance.

After speaking, Espy told the Clarion Ledger that all other government entities — Madison County, Hinds County and Ridgeland — had approved the resolution as well.

The resolution follows other recent regional cooperation efforts, including a formal city-county agreement that allows Jackson and Hinds County to share public works manpower and resources on infrastructure projects.