textproduct: Jackson

KEY MESSAGES

- Dangerous levels of heat returns late this week and persist into the weekend.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 237 AM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

Today through next Tuesday...A mid/upper level trough residing about the region will gradually weaken and become absorbed in quasi-zonal flow across the country. This will allow sub-tropical ridging to increase its presence across the Lower Mississippi River Valley late this week and into the upcoming weekend. Meanwhile at the surface, high pressure centered to the southeast of the CWA will maintain southerly flow across the region, thus keeping humid conditions across the area.

With the presence of the trough nearby today and Thursday, decent chances for diurnally driven convection will remain in the forecast. Convection will linger into the evening hours, before finally dissipating as daytime heating wanes. Gusty winds, locally heavy downpours, and frequent lightning will be possible with the most intense storms. As the aforementioned sub-tropical high builds in Friday into the weekend, rain chances will lessen a bit but still be confined to mainly the afternoon and early evening hours.

With highs topping out in the low to middle 90s each afternoon and dew points in the 70s, afternoon heat index values will climb to around 105F in many locations Thursday into the at least Saturday. If this trend continues in future model data, a "Heat Advisory" may be needed for portions of the area late this week and into the weekend.

Better rain chances currently look to return to the forecast at the beginning of next week. This is due to a frontal boundary that's progged to sink south into the region. If this scenario indeed verifies, the widespread showers and storms over the area will bring an end to the heat stress across the forecast area for at least a few days. /19/

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1213 PM CDT Wed Jul 8 2026

VFR flight conditions with southwest winds between 5-8 kts will prevail through the period. Variable winds are expected to shift to the south after 00Z Thursday. /OAJ/

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Jackson 92 73 92 74 / 20 10 30 10 Meridian 93 73 93 74 / 30 10 40 10 Vicksburg 92 75 93 76 / 40 10 10 10 Hattiesburg 94 75 94 75 / 20 20 40 10 Natchez 93 75 94 75 / 30 10 20 0 Greenville 92 74 94 77 / 30 10 40 10 Greenwood 92 74 94 76 / 30 20 50 10

JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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