Ice storm warnings in effect across Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia
Ice storm warnings are in effect for parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia between January 24 and 26, 2026. Ice accumulations of 6 mm to 25 mm (0.25 to 1 inch) and wind gusts up to 50 km/h (30 mph) are forecast across the regions. The combination of freezing rain, sleet, and gusty winds is expected to cause widespread power outages, tree damage, and extremely hazardous travel conditions.
Satellite image of the southern USA at 21:40 UTC on January 22, 2026. Credit: NOAA/GOES-19, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a series of ice storm warnings for parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. The warnings are in effect from late January 23 through January 26, as a powerful long-duration winter storm brings freezing rain and sleet to the southeastern United States.
The warnings include Grenada, Carroll, Montgomery, Webster, Holmes, and Yazoo counties in Mississippi, along with Bolivar, Leflore, Sunflower, Washington, and Sharkey counties in the Mississippi Delta region. Ice accumulations of up to 25 mm (1 inch) are forecast, with additional sleet possible. Travel could become impossible, and widespread power outages are likely as heavy ice weighs down trees and power lines.
In northern Alabama, warnings are in effect for Colbert, Franklin, and Lauderdale counties. Up to 25 mm (1 inch) of ice is forecast, with higher localized totals. The damaging ice will result in tree damage and could cause power outages for more than a day due to the combination of ice and wind.
Warnings are in place for Lawrence, Lewis, Perry, and Wayne counties in Tennessee, as well as northern sections near Henderson and Hardeman. Forecast accumulations range from 6 mm to 13 mm (0.25–0.5 inch), with locally higher totals. Travel is expected to be restricted to emergencies only, and residents are urged to prepare for extended outages as temperatures remain below freezing.
Further east, the NWS Peachtree City and Greenville-Spartanburg offices issued warnings for much of northern and northeastern Georgia, including Dawson, Hall, Rabun, Habersham, Franklin, and Hart counties. Significant icing between 6 mm and 25 mm (0.25–1 inch) is expected, along with gusts up to 30 mph (48 km/h). The NWS cautioned that the hazardous conditions will severely impact the Monday morning commute, with downed trees and widespread power interruptions possible.
Authorities across the affected states advised residents to avoid all non-essential travel, prepare emergency kits with food, water, and lighting, and stay alert to rapidly changing conditions. The NWS emphasized that ice storm impacts can linger for days, particularly when cold air remains in place after precipitation ends.
The warnings are associated with a long-duration winter storm forecast to bring damaging ice along with heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the southern Rockies and Plains into the Mid-South starting Friday. It will then spread eastward into the Mid-Atlantic and New England over the weekend.
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I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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