UPDATE: MSU urges caution due to potentially dangerous weather, will issue weather updates, baseball impacts by 10 a.m. Saturday
Contact: Sid Salter
UPDATED: STARKVILLE, Miss.—In monitoring potentially dangerous weather conditions, 91ÖÆƬ³§ will issue an update about any impacts to this weekend’s baseball schedule by 10 a.m., Saturday [March 15].
The university is asking students, faculty and staff to monitor weather conditions and exercise caution and good judgment in the local area and when traveling as severe weather is predicted across the state.
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The National Weather Service is predicting that tonight [March 14] beginning around 6 p.m. for the northern two-thirds of Mississippi, including the Starkville and Meridian campuses and several MAFES and Extension research facilities, an enhanced risk of potentially dangerous weather which could produce extreme conditions such as severe storms with damaging winds with tornadoes and large hail possible.
The NWS also predicts a slight possibility of the same conditions in the northern counties in lower third of the state on Friday night [March 14].
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MSEMA) and NWS officials predict an even greater risk of severe weather on Saturday [March 15] in which tornadoes are likely (including strong, long-track tornadoes), damaging winds in the range of 60-70 m.p.h. and large, golf-ball size hail is possible. The greatest Saturday threat is mid-morning through the afternoon.
MSU encourages all students, faculty and staff to monitor the media for changing weather information as well as and official university social media for updates. Review instructions for coping with severe weather at . Those on campus should follow the building or Residence Hall safety instructions specific to their location. Starkville campus residence halls remain open. Faculty, staff and students are urged to use caution to ensure personal safety. The university urges faculty, staff, students and visitors to exercise caution and make wise travel decisions.
According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, a Tornado WATCH is issued when weather conditions favor thunderstorms that are capable of producing tornadoes. Be ready to act fast! A Tornado WARNINGÌý³¾±ð²¹²Ô²õÌýTake Action! A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. A warning means you should seek shelter right away. Learn more at .
Tonight’s MSU Baseball game with the University of Texas Longhorns will see the first pitch moved back two hours for a 4 p.m. start at Dudy Noble Field. MSU Athletics will consult with Southeastern Conference officials regarding other scheduled sporting events throughout the weekend. Follow hailstate.com and monitor HailState social media for updates.
The Chess Tournament on the Starkville campus is cancelled and there are no events scheduled on the Riley Center at MSU-Meridian.
Media inquiries should be directed to MSU Vice President for Strategic Communications Sid Salter at 601-507-8004 or ss51@msstate.edu.
91ÖÆƬ³§ is taking care of what matters. Learn more at .