NATCHEZ — Area residents should prepare for high winds, strong thunderstorms and possible severe weather today.

The National Weather Service in Jackson issued a hazardous weather outlook Monday afternoon that shows Adams County and eastern portions of Concordia Parish as having an elevated risk of experiencing strong storms starting at 11 a.m. today and continuing into the night.

Meteorologist Mark McCallister said an elevated risk means severe storms, accompanied with damaging winds, inch-size hail and possible tornadoes are expected. Winds gusts as high at 60 mph are possible.

Other areas included in the elevated risk category include Franklin and Jefferson counties and Tensas Parish.

The Delta and counties in Central Mississippi north of Jackson are expected to see the worst of the storm system. The weather service has placed those areas in the Significant Risk category, which includes a higher risk of strong tornadoes.

Wilkinson County and other counties to the south of Adams County were not included in the hazardous outlook.

McCallister said a strong cold from the west is expected to move into the area this morning, mainly after 10 a.m. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent today and 50 percent tonight.

The National Weather Service forecasts sunny skies with high temperatures in the 50s for Wednesday and Thursday. Evening temperatures should drop into the 30s for the remainder of the week.