The National Weather Service in New Orleans changed the winter storm watch to a winter storm warning at its 2 p.m. update.

The warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. A wintry mix of precipitation could begin as early as daybreak Tuesday morning, with the heaviest precipitation expected from midday Tuesday into Tuesday night.

Precipitation will begin as freezing rain across the entire area and slowly transition to sleet and snow, generally north of the Interstate 10 corridor during the afternoon and evening. Ice accumulations of a quarter of an inch can be expected in all locations, and snow amounts could be 1-3 inches with locally higher amounts in southwest Mississippi and adjacent Louisiana parishes.

In other areas, snow amounts of less than 1 inch are expected.

In addition, a hard freeze is likely Wednesday morning, and wind chill values in the single digits are possible Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

Driving conditions will become especially hazardous beginning by daybreak tomorrow morning through midmorning. Hazardous conditions will continue throughout the day and into Tuesday night.

Since temperatures will not rise above freezing for any significant period of time, hazardous driving conditions are likely to persist into Wednesday.

Ice accumulations of a quarter of an inch have the potential to cause significant problems with power lines and tree limbs, which can become too heavy to maintain their integrity.