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Easter day might be a stormy one for many residents in central Mississippi, as a line of severe weather preceding a strong cold front enters the state Sunday.

The National Weather Service in Jackson said there is a moderate risk for severe weather in a large portion of the state from Oxford in the north to McComb and Hattiesburg in the south. The storm system is scheduled to move across the state from 7 a.m. in the west to 9 p.m. in the eastern part of the state.

Adams County Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford Sr. said the Adams County Safe Room off of Liberty Road would be open for people seeking shelter in Adams County when a tornado watch is issued.

“The Safe Room will be open, but we will have safe guards in place for the COVID-19,” Bradford said.

People are asked to bring their own masks and gloves if they have them and if not protective wear will be provided to them at the Safe Room.

Bradford said hand sanitizer a will be available and people will be required to keep a safe distance between themselves. Pets are welcome, but must have a kennel and one pet per family is allowed. People are asked to bring their own blankets and medications.

The Emergency Operations Commission has a 10 a.m. Saturday meeting planned and will announce any updates after the meeting.

Bradford said people planning to stay in the shelter can call ahead for more information at 601-445-3525.

Van Byrd, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Jackson said the frontal system is forecast to move through the state Sunday morning and last into the early evening with rain, the possibility of tornadoes and golf-ball-size hail.

Byrd said outbreaks of tornadoes are expected in the state with some possibly being long-track tornadoes that could travel on the ground for a long distance. Besides the hail, damaging winds with speeds up to 70 mph are also expected.

Cooler weather will follow the system, with highs in the 60s and lows possibly falling into the 40s Wednesday and Thursday with temperatures warming up after Thursday.