For Maroon Tide fans heading to the Oxford-Picayune state championship game tonight, pack your maroon coats and rain gear because it’s going to be a cold, rainy game.

Robert Ricks a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Slidell. La., said the temperature low in Jackson Saturday night is 39 degrees with a 50 percent chance of rain.

In Picayune Saturday morning, Ricks said the projected high is 45 degrees. He said whatever the temperature is at sunrise, don’t expect much change in that temperature throughout the day. The cold weather pushed into Picayune Friday due to a cold front that was moving eastward all day Friday, Ricks said.

Ricks said on Friday afternoon, Jackson was already at 45 degrees and temperatures were expected to drop to 28 degrees that night.

If fans are leaving Saturday night from Jackson, they won’t have to worry about any snow or sleet, but there is the possibility of rain, Ricks said.

He said Picayune’s temperatures will drop into the 30s Saturday night, with a projected low of 33 degrees. Ricks said Picayune has a 60 percent chance of rain on Sunday with temperature highs in the 50s.

At a pep rally Friday afternoon, Picayune School District Superintendent Dean Shaw said he is looking forward to the game despite the weather forecast.

“I don’t think the weather will have an effect on our players,” Shaw said.  

So for all fans heading to Jackson or watching the game from home on Mississippi ETV, be safe and bundle up.