textproduct: Jackson

KEY MESSAGES

- Significant threat for dangerous fire weather conditions continues into this weekend.

- A "Red Flag Warning" remains in effect for the remainder of today, and will be in effect again on Saturday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 124 PM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

Tonight through next Thursday...A dry cold front is in the process of moving through the CWA this afternoon. Other than an increase in cloud cover, very little to no shower activity is forecast to accompany this front. Strong high pressure building into the forecast area in its wake, is resulting in a tight pressure gradient across the region. These gusty northwest winds are ushering in a noticeably cooler drier airmass, that'll linger across the CWA through the weekend. While pleasant early fall conditions will exist during this time, temperatures will steadily warm across the region next week. However, the dry airmass will remain. Thus, resulting in less humid conditions throughout this forecast period.

Once again on Saturday, a significant threat of dangerous fire weather conditions will exist across the forecast area. Soil conditions remain critically dry, with no rain chances in site. Breezy northerly winds will also promote a very dry airmass across the region. While lower high temperatures on Saturday will yield slightly higher afternoon minimum relative humidity values compared to today, humidity values will still fall to near critical levels at around 30-35% across nearly all of the area. Therefore, I've upgraded the "Fire Weather Watch" to a "Red Flag Warning" for Saturday on this afternoon's package. Today's "Red Flag Warning" is in effect until 8 PM CDT. /19/

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 609 PM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

Strong and gusty northerly surface wind will continue over the forecast area through much of the forecast period. Overnight, as sfc wind diminishes a bit, LLWS will become a greater concern. Otherwise, ceilings should remain VFR tonight with clearing skies for Saturday. /EC/

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Jackson 50 71 45 75 / 0 0 0 0 Meridian 48 69 44 71 / 0 0 0 0 Vicksburg 48 71 44 74 / 0 0 0 0 Hattiesburg 50 73 46 75 / 0 0 0 0 Natchez 50 71 45 74 / 0 0 0 0 Greenville 48 69 43 73 / 0 0 0 0 Greenwood 47 70 41 74 / 0 0 0 0

JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MS...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for MSZ018-019- 025>066-072>074.

Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 7 PM CDT Saturday for MSZ018-019- 025>066-072>074.

LA...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for LAZ007>009-015- 016-023>026.

Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 7 PM CDT Saturday for LAZ007>009- 015-016-023>026.

AR...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM CDT this evening for ARZ074-075.

Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 7 PM CDT Saturday for ARZ074-075.