Miss-Lou area schools will dismiss students and staff early Wednesday, March 17, due to the likelihood of severe weather, school officials said.

Concordia Parish School District Superintendent Whest Shirley said Concordia Parish Schools will dismiss at 12:30.

According to the National Weather Service’s Jackson office, there is a moderate risk for severe weather in the area between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“As things warm up, portions of east and southeast Mississippi may get a round of severe thunderstorms from late morning into the afternoon,” the National Weather Service states. “By late afternoon, a cold front and line of storms will approach the area from the west, where the environment will be warm, moist and unstable. As storms sweep across the region, damaging wind gusts, large hail and tornadoes will be likely. Some violent and long-track tornadoes will be possible.”