Severe Storm Threat Expected Friday Across Mississippi, West Tennessee, and Northwest Alabama as SPC Issues Slight Risk
ALABAMA – A developing storm system is raising concerns across parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Mid-South, where strong to potentially severe thunderstorms are expected Friday afternoon into Friday evening.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed much of Mississippi, West Tennessee, and extreme northwest Alabama under a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather on Friday, January 9. While the exact timing and intensity are still being refined, forecasters say all modes of severe weather are possible.
Areas Under the Highest Risk
The highlighted risk zone stretches from western and central Mississippi northward into West Tennessee, including cities such as Jackson, Greenville, Tupelo, Columbus, and areas near Memphis. Portions of northwest Alabama also fall within the risk area.
Storms are expected to develop and intensify mainly during the afternoon hours and continue into the evening, when atmospheric conditions may be most favorable for severe weather.
What Types of Severe Weather Are Possible
Although details are still coming into focus, forecasters warn that multiple severe threats could occur, including:
- Damaging straight-line winds
- Large hail
- Heavy downpours
- Isolated tornadoes
Because this is an early-season setup, meteorologists emphasize that even lower-end severe events can still cause significant impacts, particularly if storms organize into lines or clusters.
Timing and Forecast Uncertainty
Officials stress that it is still too early to determine exact storm timing or the strongest locations, but confidence is increasing that Friday afternoon and evening will be the primary window of concern.
The storm system is expected to move steadily eastward, meaning weather conditions could change rapidly throughout the day, especially for those traveling or attending evening events.
Why This Event Matters
This system may represent the first notable severe weather event of the year for parts of the Deep South, making preparedness especially important. Emergency officials urge residents to review severe weather safety plans now, including knowing:
- Where to seek shelter if a warning is issued
- How to receive weather alerts
- What actions to take if storms strike after dark
NapervilleLocal.com will continue monitoring updates to the forecast and provide additional coverage as confidence increases and warnings are issued.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.