By Nita McCann

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ – The winter weather Natchez braved Monday night and Tuesday morning was milder than expected, but another weather system is waiting in the wings.

That’s according to the National Weather Service and Robert Bradford, civil defense director for Adams County.

“It didn’t freeze over like we thought it was going to,” Bradford said. “There were a few patches of ice here and there, but nothing major.”

NWS’s forecast was spot on north of Interstate 20, Wilkinson said, but Natchez and the surrounding area had milder weather than forecast.

“It was cold enough for ice to form, but Natchez didn’t have enough precipitation,” he added.

However, the area had a 100 percent chance of freezing rain and sleet going into late Tuesday night, Wilkinson said.

Tuesday’s forecasted high temperature was 42 degrees with a low of 35 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Jackson.

And cold weather is forecasted for Natchez all this week.

Today, the forecasted high temperature is 40 degrees, with a low of 32 degrees.

The high temperature will be 49 degrees on Thursday, with a low of 28 degrees and a chance of rain, forecasters predict.

On Friday, the area will see a high temperature of 47 degrees and a low of 30 degrees.

The thermometer dipped into the mid-20s early Tuesday morning.

“Now we’re looking ahead because another storm is on its way,” Bradford said Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service expects wintry weather to continue today with precipitation spreading into the region between 3 and 9 a.m.

Natchez is expected to see limited winter conditions, with the precipitation leading to a mix of rain, freezing rain and light chance of snow, according to the NWS.

Those conditions could lead to some bridges being snow covered with an accumulation of wintry weather expected.

Tuesday’s forecast called for a low temperature of 32 degrees with a 40 percent chance of freezing rain.

Schools that were closed Tuesday included Adams County Christian School, Concordia Parish schools and Delta Charter School.

“The decision on whether or not to close schools rests with the school superintendents,” Bradford said. “That doesn’t go through my office.”

In addition, Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus opened at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Still, better safe than sorry: Adams County road crews placed sand on more than 70 bridges throughout the county just in case.

“We just want to make sure everybody’s safe,” Robbie Dollar, county road manager said.