Mississippi’s weather really fits the humid subtropical bill, with four distinct seasons that keep things interesting. Summers get hot and sticky, and thunderstorms roll in pretty often. Winters? They’re usually mild, especially down south—freezing temps are rare. Mississippi’s monthly weather swings from cool January averages around 48°F up to those sweltering July and August days near 82°F. Summer also dumps the most rain.
If you want to prep for Mississippi’s ever-changing weather, understanding the monthly patterns is key. The Gulf of Mexico has a huge impact, pulling in warm, moist air that cranks up humidity and fuels afternoon storms in the summer. Winters offer the best weather for outdoor stuff, honestly, while spring and fall act as nice, mellow transitions.
Weather can look pretty different across the state. Jackson, Biloxi, and Tupelo each have their own microclimates. Rain falls year-round, but summer storms really bring the drama. Historical weather data shows some reliable patterns, so you can usually get a sense of what to expect for each season.
Overview of Monthly Weather Patterns in Mississippi
Mississippi has a humid subtropical climate, so you’ll notice clear shifts in weather as the months go by. Summers get hot and muggy, with thunderstorms showing up like clockwork. Winters, on the other hand, stay pretty gentle, though cold fronts can sneak in now and then.
Climate Type and Seasonal Changes
Mississippi’s climate splits the year into four pretty distinct seasons. The Gulf of Mexico keeps things warmer and wetter than you might expect inland.
Summer runs June through August and brings serious heat and humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms happen a lot, and most of the year’s rain falls during these months.
Winter, from December to February, stays mild. Cold fronts sometimes sweep in, especially up north, but snow is rare for most of the state.
Spring and fall feel like a breath of fresh air. Humidity drops, temps stay moderate, and it’s just nicer to be outside.
Temperature Ranges Throughout the Year
Temperatures in Mississippi shift a lot from season to season, but they’re still milder than what you get up north. January is usually the coldest, while July takes the cake for heat.
Winter temps hover between 35°F and 60°F. Northern areas get colder than the south, and while it does freeze sometimes, it doesn’t last long.
Summer cranks up the thermostat—expect 73°F to 93°F. Humidity makes it feel even hotter, and nights don’t cool off much, rarely dipping below 70°F.
Spring and fall are the sweet spots. March through May gradually warms up from 45°F to 85°F. Then, from September to November, things cool down from 88°F to about 50°F.
Monthly Averages and Trends
Mississippi weather follows a pretty steady rhythm, with each month bringing its own temperature and rainfall averages.
Temperature Averages by Season:
- Winter: 48°F to 52°F
- Spring: 59°F to 74°F
- Summer: 80°F to 82°F
- Fall: 77°F to 57°F
Rain falls pretty evenly all year—about 4 to 6 inches a month. Summer gets a bit more thanks to all those storms. Winter rain usually comes from slow-moving systems.
July and August bring the hottest days, with averages hitting 82°F. January chills out at 48°F. Spring warms up fast, especially from March to May.
Monthly Breakdown: Weather by Each Month
Mississippi’s weather jumps around a lot during the year. Winters see lows in the 30s and highs in the 60s, while summer highs hit the low 90s. Precipitation, humidity, and storms all shift as the seasons change and across the state’s three main climate zones.
January Weather Overview
January usually brings the coldest days of the year. Highs hit around 52°F up in Tupelo, 58°F in Jackson, and 60°F down in Biloxi.
Nights get cold, dropping to the mid-30s in the north and mid-40s near the coast. Tupelo averages a chilly 35°F at night, while Biloxi hangs around 46°F.
Rain is common—about 10 days of it, with 4-5 inches falling statewide. Tupelo might see a bit of snow, averaging 1.3 inches for the month.
Clear skies show up about half the time. Winds stay moderate, from 6 mph inland to 10 mph by the coast.
Days are short, just over 10 hours of daylight. Humidity dips to its lowest, so the cold feels a bit more comfortable.
February Conditions
February starts to shake off January’s chill. Highs climb to 57°F in Tupelo, 62°F in Jackson, and 63°F in Biloxi. Lows creep up too—38°F, 42°F, and 48°F, respectively.
Rain sticks around for 8-9 days, dropping 4-5 inches across the state. Tupelo could still see a little snow, averaging about an inch.
Skies clear up a bit, with clear or partly cloudy days about half the time. Daylight stretches out to around 11 hours.
Winds don’t change much. The coast stays breezier at 10 mph, while inland it’s more like 6-8 mph.
February rarely feels muggy. The cool air and low humidity make it pretty pleasant for getting outside.
Spring Transitions: March to May
Spring shakes things up in Mississippi. March ushers in warmer days, with highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. By May, it’s already into the low 80s.
March brings highs of 66°F in Tupelo, 70°F in Jackson, and 69°F in Biloxi. Rain picks up a bit—about 5 inches over 10 rainy days.
April keeps warming up, with temps in the mid-70s and Jackson reaching 77°F. Rain days drop to 8-9, but totals stay near 5 inches.
May feels almost like summer. Highs hit 81-83°F everywhere. Humidity climbs, and muggy days get more frequent, especially along the coast.
| Month | Average High | Rainy Days | Muggy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 66-70°F | 9-10 | 1-6 |
| April | 74-77°F | 8-10 | 2-12 |
| May | 81-83°F | 9-11 | 10-22 |
Spring is also peak season for severe weather. Thunderstorms show up more often and can get intense.
Summertime Patterns: June to August
Summer in Mississippi? It’s hot and humid, no way around it. Highs stay in the upper 80s to low 90s from June through August. The heat and humidity together can feel brutal.
June sees temps jump to 87-89°F statewide. Most days—21 to 28—are muggy. Rainfall varies a lot, but the coast gets more afternoon storms.
July brings the hottest stretch. Highs reach 89-91°F. Humidity makes it feel even hotter, and muggy days are pretty much the norm.
August doesn’t let up. Temps stick to the upper 80s and low 90s. Thunderstorms get more frequent, giving short breaks from the heat but making it feel stickier.
Rain comes in bursts during summer. Monthly totals can drop to 3-4 inches, but storms hit hard and fast rather than steady drizzle.
June gives you the most daylight—over 14 hours a day. Winds calm down to their lowest all year, so there’s not much breeze to cool things off.
Precipitation Patterns and Rainfall
Rain falls all year in Mississippi, but the amount and timing shift with the seasons and region. Thunderstorms and tropical systems ramp up precipitation in summer.
Average Precipitation by Month
Monthly rainfall in Mississippi can swing a lot. The state usually gets between 45 and 55 inches a year.
Winter brings moderate rain—January and February average 3 to 4 inches. March starts to get wetter, with 4 to 5 inches.
Spring sees rain pick up. April gets about 4 to 5 inches, and May jumps to 5 or 6.
Summer months—June to August—are the wettest, each averaging 6 to 7 inches. Frequent afternoon storms and the chance of tropical weather add to the totals.
Fall dries out. September still feels like summer with 5 to 6 inches, but October and November drop down to 3 or 4 inches. December starts to bring back winter patterns with 3 to 4 inches.
Wettest and Driest Months
June, July, and August are the wettest months. Summer storms push rainfall totals way up.
Coastal areas can get slammed during hurricane season, and August often ends up as the rainiest month.
October and November are usually the driest, with just 2 to 3 inches across most of Mississippi.
December and January also stay on the drier side. Winter storms are less common, but sometimes they can bring a lot of rain in a short span.
The difference between wet and dry months can be pretty big—sometimes more than 4 inches. That creates clear wet and dry seasons.
Regional Variations in Rainfall
Southern Mississippi gets the most rain, averaging 60 to 65 inches a year along the coast. The Gulf of Mexico pumps in extra moisture.
Central Mississippi lands in the middle, with 50 to 55 inches annually. Jackson falls right in this range.
Northern Mississippi is the driest, with 45 to 50 inches a year. It’s farther from the Gulf, so it doesn’t see as much moisture.
Coastal areas deal with unique rainfall during hurricane season. Tropical storms can dump 10 to 20 inches at once, really skewing the yearly totals for those counties.
Mountainous spots up in the northeast might see a little more rain thanks to elevation, but the north-south difference is much more noticeable.
Weather in Jackson and Major Cities
Jackson gets those classic hot, humid summers with highs up to 92°F, and winters that dip to 38°F. Other big cities in Mississippi follow a similar pattern, though rainfall and temps can shift a bit.
Monthly Weather in Jackson
Jackson’s climate sticks to a predictable seasonal cycle. Summers from June to August bring the heat and humidity.
Summer lows hover around 77°F, and highs can hit 92°F. Rain falls moderately—about 2.48 inches on average each month.
Winters are mild compared to up north. December through February brings nighttime lows near 38°F.
Daytime highs in winter usually reach the 50s and 60s. Winters feel short, cold, and wet, with plenty of cloudy days.
Spring and fall are the most comfortable times in Jackson. These seasons offer moderate temps and less humidity.
Jackson sees partly cloudy skies all year. Extreme temps—below 24°F or above 97°F—don’t happen often.
Comparisons With Natchez, Vicksburg, and Biloxi
Natchez and Vicksburg get weather similar to Jackson since they’re also inland. Summers are hot, winters stay mild.
Natchez sits alongside the Mississippi River, so humidity runs a bit higher. Vicksburg’s river spot means its climate feels pretty much the same.
Biloxi stands out among major cities. Being right on the Gulf, it avoids the wildest temperature swings.
Biloxi stays warmer in winter and a bit cooler in summer than Jackson. It also gets steadier rainfall throughout the year.
Hurricane season hits Biloxi harder than the inland cities. Storms ramp up from June to November along the coast.
All four cities deal with high humidity in the summer. The subtropical climate just makes it feel heavy across the board.
Key Weather Insights for Travel Planning
Mississippi’s weather changes a lot by season, which definitely affects travel plans and costs. Spring and fall usually bring the nicest weather, while summer can be a sweaty, stormy challenge.
Best Months to Visit Mississippi
April, March, and October really shine as the best months to visit Mississippi. The weather just feels right—comfortable temperatures and pleasant, easy-going days.
Spring months (March-April) usually bring mild temperatures, somewhere between 60°F and 75°F. March hangs around 50°F to 70°F, while April warms up a bit more, hitting 55°F to 75°F.
Rainfall stays pretty moderate during spring, which is nice if you’re hoping to spend time outside.
October rolls in with excellent weather, usually between 60°F and 80°F. You’ll notice it hardly rains, and there are barely any soggy days, so it’s perfect for outdoor plans.
Try to skip the summer months—June through August can get brutal. Temperatures shoot up into the mid-90s°F, and August especially can hit 98°F with sticky, high humidity.
Winter months bring mild conditions, but you’ll get more rain. January sits between 35°F and 60°F, so it’s definitely the coolest stretch of the year.
Expected Sunshine and Humidity by Month
Summer months give you the most sunshine, but honestly, the humidity can feel overwhelming. July and August stretch the daylight hours, but most folks find it a bit much.
Spring and fall strike a better balance—good sunshine and humidity that doesn’t make you want to hide indoors. March through May and September through November feel comfortable for exploring outside.
October stands out with low humidity and lots of sunny days. You’ll probably only see rain twice the whole month, so blue skies are the norm.
Winter months bring more clouds and overcast days. December and January often feel gloomier, with more frequent rain that cuts into your sunshine, though at least humidity stays comfortable.
Climate Charts and Historical Data
Mississippi’s climate data paints a pretty clear picture when you look back over the years. You can see the seasonal changes—mild winters, hot summers, and patterns in wet and dry spells.
Temperature Graphs
Temperature charts for Mississippi show off its subtropical climate and clear seasonal swings. Winter, from December through February, brings average highs between 52°F and 56°F, with nights dropping into the low 30s.
Spring warms up steadily from March through May. March days average in the mid-60s, with nights down in the low 40s.
By May, highs reach around 82°F, and nights stay close to 60°F.
Summer really turns up the heat from June through August. July usually takes the crown for hottest month, with highs around 91°F to 92°F.
Summer nights don’t cool off much either, usually staying between 67°F and 70°F.
Fall cools off slowly from September through November. September still feels pretty warm, with highs near 86°F.
By November, things mellow out, with days in the mid-60s and nights down around 40°F.
Rainfall and Precipitation Trends
Mississippi usually gets about 57 to 58 inches of rain every year, at least if you look at the old records.
December and March are typically the wettest months. December averages over 6 inches, and March comes close with nearly 6 inches of rainfall.
The summer months feel a bit drier, even though thunderstorms do pop up now and then.
July and August see the least rain, both coming in at less than 4.5 inches on average.
June doesn’t get much more, sticking around 4.4 inches of precipitation.
Spring and fall? They land somewhere in the middle.
April and May usually get about 5 to 6 inches each.
From September through November, rainfall drops a bit, with monthly amounts between 4 and 5 inches.
Rainfall can swing wildly from year to year.
Sometimes a month will get double the usual rain, and other times, only half shows up.
These ups and downs hit soil moisture, agriculture, and water supplies all across the state.