textproduct: Jackson

KEY MESSAGES

- Temperatures will soar to 15 to 20 degrees above normal today. A strong cold front will then bring widespread showers and the possibility of a few thunderstorms on Friday.

- Much colder air returns behind the cold front for the weekend, bringing the potential for widespread sub-freezing temperatures by Saturday morning.

LONG TERM

(Friday night through Wednesday) Issued at 428 AM EDT THU MAR 26 2026

The forecast period begins late Friday evening with the CWA situated on the backside of a departing cold front as surface high pressure builds in from the north. Beginning from northwest to southeast, clearing skies and post-frontal cold air advection will allow temperatures to drop toward freezing. This supports the potential for frost development, particularly in sheltered valleys. This threat has been highlighted in the HWO for the last few days, and there is potential for frost headlines Friday night into Saturday morning as the growing season is underway.

Surface high pressure will remain the dominant synoptic feature through the weekend. Persistent northerly flow will maintain CAA on the backside of the departing system, keeping Saturday cool with highs ranging from the lower 50s in the Bluegrass to the upper 50s near the Tennessee border. Low-level flow will shift southerly by Sunday, allowing temperatures to warm with highs running about 10 degrees warmer than Saturday.

Beginning Monday, a series of shortwaves will traverse the CONUS, introducing isolated to scattered PoPs starting Monday afternoon and continuing through the end of the period. Temperatures will trend above seasonal averages during this timeframe, with highs eventually climbing into the upper 70s to mid 80s by Tuesday and persisting through Wednesday and Thursday.

In summary, the forecast period is characterized by the arrival of surface high pressure for the weekend. Temperatures will start below normal but will trend significantly warmer, reaching the 80s by the middle of next week. Model consensus indicates a return to an active convective pattern for the upcoming week.

AVIATION

(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Thursday night) ISSUED AT 207 AM EDT THU MAR 26 2026

VFR conditions prevailed at the start of the period, but there were mid and high level clouds at most locations. That general scenario will last through the night. Scattered showers/ thunderstorms are forecast to develop over the northern portion of the forecast area around dawn and last into the morning, generally north of KRGA-KJKL-KPBX. This could bring isolated sub- VFR conditions. The precipitation should end by around noon and clouds will decrease. This will allow more effective warming and mixing of the lower atmosphere, which will result in increasing southwesterly winds with gusts of 20-30 kts.

JKL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.