What major weather event is often monitored in Mississippi during the winter months?

During the winter months, ice storms are a significant weather event that impacts Mississippi. The state is prone to winter precipitation that can lead to icy conditions, which can disrupt transportation, damage trees and power lines, and create hazardous situations for residents. Ice storms occur when warm air overrides cold air at the surface, resulting in freezing rain that coats surfaces with ice.

While hurricanes and tornadoes are critical weather events in Mississippi, they typically occur in different seasons; hurricanes are most prominent in late summer and early fall, while tornadoes are more common in the spring. Heatwaves are associated with extreme heat and are generally a concern during the summer months. Therefore, ice storms stand out as a major winter weather phenomenon in Mississippi.