textproduct: Jackson

KEY MESSAGES

- Dangerous heat stress conditions will continue this weekend and worsen early next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 116 PM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026

No major changes have been made to the previous forecast.

H-O-T. A strong, zonally oriented upper-level ridge along the US South features 500mb heights to near 600 dam, especially pronounced from the Desert Southwest and east along the Gulf Coast. Heights over our region are near seasonal maximum values, which supports the continued surface temps in the mid 90s. A frontal boundary retreats northward today as low-level flow has turned out of the southwest. With dew points in the low to mid 70s still, western 2/3rds of our forecast area will see heat index values top out around 105 degrees again.

As the ridge comes to amplify over western/central CONUS this weekend, troughing will deepen along the East Coast, and flow aloft will turn more sharply out of the northwest. Rain chances through the next few days, will be primarily confined to northeast or eastern most portions of our area. Rain chances next week are limited by the ridge aloft, but a wave may pass through the area mid week and trigger some shower and thunderstorm activity.

The main threat will be heat amplifying beneath the ridge. Today and tomorrow's "Limited" heat stress with 105 heat index values will yield to "Significant" heat stress with actual air temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees Monday through Thursday with peak heat index values across the board in the 110 to 115 range. As always, at this time of year, please make sure loved ones, neighbors, and pets have a cool place to spend the hot afternoons and warm nights. /NF/

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1219 PM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026

Flight categories are gradually improving across the area early this afternoon, with most sites now at VFR status and only a couple still at MVFR. All sites will be to and prevailing at VFR categories by 20Z. Convection will be a bit more scarce this afternoon compared to yesterday afternoon. However, a reduction in ceilings and/or visibility will exist if convection is indeed observed within a site's respected aerodrome. Convection this does develop today, will quickly dissipate after sunset this evening. Winds today will be from the southwest between 5-10 knots, decreasing to light from the south to calm tonight. /19/

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Jackson 75 94 75 96 / 0 0 0 0 Meridian 75 94 75 96 / 10 10 10 10 Vicksburg 76 94 76 97 / 0 0 0 0 Hattiesburg 75 97 76 98 / 10 0 0 0 Natchez 75 96 74 98 / 0 0 0 0 Greenville 76 95 76 98 / 0 10 0 0 Greenwood 75 94 75 97 / 10 30 10 10

JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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