NATCHEZ — The National Weather Service says the Mississippi River at Natchez is cresting now, a bit lower than expected.

The current river level on the Natchez gauge is 61.8 feet. The NWS no longer thinks the river will reach 62.1, the prediction just a few hours ago.

The level is predicted to stay at 61.8 through Monday and make a very slow decline after that.

The level is predicted to sit at 61.5 Wednesday.

Revised National Weather Service data shows the river actually reached its highest point Thursday, 61.91.