Friday, June 28, 2025 – JACKSON, Mississippi — A wave of intense summer weather is settling over Mississippi this weekend, as severe storms return with damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning, and oppressive heat. According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, much of eastern and southern Mississippi faces a marginal risk of isolated severe thunderstorms through Friday evening, with winds possibly topping 60 mph (97 km/h).
Unstable air mass fuels afternoon storms
“This is exactly what we’ve been experiencing all week,” said Alan Campbell, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson. “With all the heat and humidity, we’re sitting in a very unstable air mass, especially during the peak of the afternoon heat.”
Areas south of a line from Amite County to eastern Noxubee County should be on alert, as storms in that corridor are most likely to turn severe. Even outside that zone, scattered storms can bring torrential rainfall and frequent lightning, especially during the afternoon and early evening.
Campbell emphasized the risk of wind damage, stating, “Any storm that forms could produce wind gusts up to or above 60 mph. Along with that, expect heavy downpours and a lot of lightning activity.”
Hot, humid and stormy through the weekend
The weekend weather pattern stays firmly in place, locked into what Campbell calls the “typical summer setup” for Mississippi — hot, humid, and with daily afternoon thunderstorms.
In Jackson, Friday’s high will reach around 92°F (33°C), with a heat index peaking near 100°F (38°C). Storm chances sit at 50%, mainly between late morning and early evening. Nights will remain muggy, with lows in the low 70s°F (21–23°C) and partly cloudy skies.
On Saturday and Sunday, highs will hover around 91°F (33°C), but with heat index values soaring to 102°F (39°C). Each day brings an increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms, particularly after 10 a.m., making the early morning hours the driest window.
Weekend outlook for Hattiesburg area
Farther south, in Hattiesburg, the pattern mirrors Jackson but with slightly higher rain chances. Friday afternoon will bring likely thunderstorms, especially after 5 p.m., with a high near 93°F (34°C) and heat index near 98°F (37°C).
Saturday carries a 70% chance of rain and storms, mainly after mid-morning, while Sunday’s storm chance climbs to 80%. New rainfall totals will generally range between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though locally higher amounts are possible during stronger thunderstorms.
Overnight, expect partly to mostly cloudy skies, light south or southwest breezes, and temperatures steady in the low 70s°F (21–23°C).
Residents across Mississippi are urged to stay weather-aware this weekend, especially if spending time outdoors or planning to mow lawns or travel in the afternoon hours, when storm chances rise and heat conditions peak.
