Weather officials are warning that there is a risk of severe weather in the Pine Belt Sunday. There is also a chance of isolated thunderstorms Saturday, some of which could become strong of severe.

According to the National Weather Service, the strong storms could develop in our area Sunday morning between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. with the possibility of producing large hail, damaging winds and some possible tornadoes.

Marda Tullos, deputy director of Jones County Emergency Operations Center, said the northern portion of the state is expected to receive the majority of the storm activity.

“Right now, we believe most of the supercells on Sunday will be in the north,” she said. “It could still be really potent when it gets here.”

National weather forecasters said the worst of the storms should occur north of Interstate 20.

Eric Carpenter, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, said the local area has a chance for thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening.

“Right now, there’s nothing going on, but on Saturday thunderstorms are expected to increase in your area,” Carpenter said. “Some of the storms could be severe, and the risk for severe weather is Saturday night and early Sunday morning.”

Officials said the area should experience the major portion of its severe weather early morning on Mother’s Day.

However, officials said the severe weather is not expected to continue throughout the day. Local residents are advised to tune in to their local news outlets for updated weather information.

“Before they go to bed on Saturday, they should get a weather update,” Tullos said. “Staying abreast of the weather is a key factor.”

Carpenter said once the front moves out of the area, the remainder of Mother’s Day should be “dry with the temperature high close to 80 degrees.”