textproduct: Jackson

KEY MESSAGES

- Dangerous heat stress will remain a concern through late next week.

- Afternoon showers and thunderstorms will be possible over at least portions of the forecast area each day of the forecast period.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 129 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026

An abnormally strong upper-level ridge is centered over the Four Corners region today, and looks to remain there through early to mid week at least. To the east, the Bermuda High remains in place over the western Atlantic. But that will actually retrograde toward the southeastern CONUS and Gulf Coast by early next week. Meanwhile, westerly flow with the jet stream will remain deflected across the northern CONUS until later next week when a more pronounced ridge-trough pattern establishes over the country.

Our forecast area and broader region will therefore remain "mostly" beneath the weak troughing pattern between the ridges into next week. PWAT values remain soupy with onshore flow and deep tropical moisture being reinforced with an easterly wave Saturday into Sunday. Given the lack of strong ridging overhead, reinforcing moisture influx, and daily chances for showers and storms, the confidence in widespread 105-110 heat index values is not great enough to justify Heat Advisory headlines at this point in time. Peak heat index values each day will be near 105 degrees, especially over the next several days. "Limited" heat stress messaging is in line with the expected forecast, but this kind of hot and humid weather is still dangerous for sensitive populations, especially the elderly or people without functioning air conditioning in the home. Care should be taken to limit strenuous activities in mid day, and frequent breaks with cool water and shade are advised for anyone working or playing outdoors this time of year. By later next week, we may see some strengthening of the ridge overhead, and this could result in greater heat stress levels. /NF/EC/

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 642 PM CDT Fri Aug 7 2026

Isolated to scattered convection persists across mainly south MS and southeast AR early this evening. Coverage will diminish through sunset, then additional isolated to scattered coverage is anticipated during the daytime Saturday. Brief visby reductions and wind gusts are possible with this activity. A brief period of fog or low stratus is possible at some terminals around daybreak. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period with light wind. /DL/

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Jackson 73 93 73 94 / 10 30 10 40 Meridian 73 93 74 93 / 0 30 10 40 Vicksburg 73 93 74 93 / 10 20 10 20 Hattiesburg 73 94 73 94 / 20 20 20 50 Natchez 72 94 73 94 / 10 30 10 30 Greenville 74 94 75 95 / 10 40 10 20 Greenwood 73 93 73 94 / 10 40 10 20

JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MS...None. LA...None. AR...None.