Jackson is a place where you can basically experience all four seasons in a single lunch break. Honestly, if you’ve lived here long enough, you know the drill. One minute you’re looking for your sunglasses, and the next, you’re eyeing the Pearl River and wondering if you should’ve parked on higher ground.
Right now, we are smack in the middle of that weird January stretch where the air feels like it’s coming straight off a glacier. As of late Saturday night, January 17, 2026, it is 32°F outside. It feels even colder—28°F to be exact—thanks to a light 4 mph breeze coming out of the north. The sky is clear with just a few periodic clouds drifting through, but don't let that stillness fool you.
The Current Chill and What’s Coming
We just came off a cloudy Saturday where the high hit 48°F. Kinda brisk, right? Well, Sunday, January 18, is looking to be even colder. We’re talking a high of only 41°F despite the sun being out in full force. If you’re heading out to church or just grabbing groceries, you’re going to want the heavy coat. The low tonight is holding steady at 29°F, so keep those faucets dripping if your pipes are finicky.
The start of the work week keeps us in this "refrigerated" mode. Monday and Tuesday (January 19-20) are both looking at highs of 48°F and lows dropping back down to 28°F. It’s consistent, I’ll give it that. But the real shift starts mid-week.
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By Wednesday, January 21, the atmosphere decides to get messy again. We’ve got a 45% chance of rain during the day, jumping up to 65% at night. The high will climb to 53°F, which sounds better until you realize it’s going to be that damp, bone-chilling kind of cold that Mississippi does so well.
Why Jackson Weather Is So Unpredictable
People always ask why the Jackson MS weather forecast feels like a rollercoaster. Basically, we’re a battleground. You’ve got cold, dry air pushing down from the Plains meeting warm, moist air sucking up from the Gulf. When they clash over the Magnolia State, things get loud.
Earlier this month, around January 8-9, we saw exactly what happens when that setup goes wrong. We had a massive system dump 2 to 5 inches of rain across central Mississippi, leading to flash flood watches and even some confirmed tornadoes in the region. It’s that volatility that makes a "mild Southern winter" a bit of a myth.
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A Quick Peek at the Week Ahead
- Sunday (Jan 18): Full sun, but chilly. High of 41°F.
- Monday/Tuesday: Mostly sunny days, but freezing nights at 28°F.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): The rain returns. 65% chance of showers overnight.
- Friday (Jan 23): A weirdly warm spike. High of 66°F with light rain.
That Friday jump is classic Jackson. You go from freezing on Tuesday to nearly 70 degrees on Friday. It’s enough to give anyone a sinus headache.
Practical Steps for the Deep Freeze
Since we’re staring down several nights of sub-freezing temperatures, it’s worth doing a quick sweep of the house. Most folks forget that the "feels like" temp is what actually hits your skin—and your pets. If you have outdoor animals, bring them in or make sure their bedding is bone-dry and shielded from that north wind.
Check your tire pressure too. These 20-degree swings in temperature will make your "low air" light pop on faster than you can find a gas station with a working pump.
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Finally, keep an eye on Wednesday’s rain totals. After the soaking we got a couple of weeks ago, the ground is already pretty saturated. If that 65% chance of rain turns into a downpour, we could see some of those usual low-lying spots collecting water again.
Don't pack away the winter gear just yet. We might see a brief warmup by Friday, but the "January punch" usually has a few more rounds left in it before we see the first hints of spring. Stay warm, keep an eye on the radar for Wednesday, and maybe keep an extra blanket in the trunk just in case.