textproduct: Jackson

KEY MESSAGES

- An active weather pattern will continue through Friday.

- Dry and cooler conditions will return this weekend.

MESOSCALE UPDATE

Issued at 715 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

Short-term weather elements were updated through the day tomorrow. Synoptic scale lift south of the jet stream will continue to bring periods of rain to our forecast area through the day tomorrow, and a shortwave disturbance will bring an increase in heavier rain potential closer to the Gulf Coast tomorrow. /NF/

DISCUSSION

Issued at 414 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

Through Friday:

Cooler than normal with increasing rain chances through the period. Latest surface analysis showed the stalled front along the Gulf coast and an 1018mb high centered over the mid Mississippi valley that was spreading south across our CWA. Latest satellite imagery/RAP analysis had near zonal flow across our region downstream of a cutoff low spinning over southern California. Subtle disturbances within the near zonal flow were helping maintain stratus over our CWA along with some light rain generally Interstate 20 and south. This will remain the case tonight but the cutoff low will be shifting east and opening up tonight as well. As the resulting shortwave trough moves across the southern Plains Friday it will serve to increase widespread rain chances across our CWA. As compared to previous model runs yesterday, overall storm total rain amounts have come in much lower. The best chance for thunderstorms will be across our southern zones where the heaviest rainfall amounts of one to two inches are expected. This will be over a long enough period where flooding in not expected to be a concern. This will be much needed rainfall to put a dent in the antecedent drought conditions. The decent rain chances and associated cloud cover will help hold high temperatures in the 60s. Our normal highs for May 1st are around 80F. /22/

Friday Night through next Wednesday:

A shortwave moving east through the region will continue to bring widespread showers, with some embedded rumbles of thunder, to mainly central and southern portions of the forecast area Friday night. Towards day break Saturday, this activity will steadily end from west to east across the CWA through mid-day. Skies will also clear through the day with breezy north winds expected. This combination will aid in drying things out across the region during the weekend, after a week of some much needed rainfall. The northerly winds will also result in some cooler conditions across the CWA this weekend.

Quiet weather will persist into the start of the new work week. Conditions will also warm during this time as moisture subtly increases across the region. Despite some placement and timing issues at the moment, the next system to affect the forecast area currently looks to fall into the Tuesday night through Wednesday timeframe. This system will again bring good rain chances back to the forecast area during the middle of next week. /19/

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 715 PM CDT Thu Apr 30 2026

Light to moderate rain and low stratus will bring variable flight conditions through the period, but generally expect lowering conditions to MVFR and IFR conditions by 12Z Friday. /NF/

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Jackson 55 63 51 69 / 60 80 100 10 Meridian 52 64 49 69 / 50 80 100 20 Vicksburg 55 63 51 70 / 60 90 90 0 Hattiesburg 57 67 51 70 / 50 80 100 20 Natchez 56 62 51 70 / 60 90 100 10 Greenville 55 66 52 71 / 30 60 70 0 Greenwood 54 67 51 71 / 20 50 80 0

JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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