BROOKHAVEN — Heat will continue Thursday but eventually cooler weather will come as chances of rain increase into the weekend. Brookhaven was under a heat advisory Wednesday and could be under one Thursday.

High temperatures Wednesday and Thursday could reach 95 and 91 respectively with a decent chance of rain the humidity could spike heat indices. Wednesday’s heat index is forecast to be 103. There is a 30 percent chance of rain in the afternoon Thursday and swampy humidity could bump the heat index up to 101. .

NWS Jackson advises residents to stay hydrated, avoid strenous outdoor activities and take frequent breaks if working outside in the heat.

Solid chances for rain

Forecasted chances of rain comes at the perfect time. According to the United States Drought Monitor in Lincoln, Nebraska, Lincoln County and other counties in central to southwest Mississippi had moved into abnormally dry conditions. The Daily Leader will continue to monitor drought conditions. People may have noticed dry creeks and low soil moisture lately.

Thursday’s forecast calls for a 9o percent chance of rain and thunderstorms throughout the day. Rainfall totals could reach a quarter to a half an inch of rain.

Friday’s rain chances is also 90 percent with a high of 86 degrees. Forecasted rainfall totals could be between a half inch to three quarters of an inch of rain.

Saturday’s high is forecast to only reach 87 degrees with an 80 precent chance of rain.

Rain could continue Sunday and Monday with 90 percent chances of rain. Tuesday is forecast to have an 80 percent chance of rain. Friday through Tuesday forecasts show high temperatures below 90 degrees.

At this time, no tropical cyclone activity is forecast in the Atlantic Ocean for the next seven days. The National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida provides updated graphics and information on tropical storm development and hurricanes. 

For the records

If the temperatures fail to reach 90 degrees Friday or Saturday it would snap a streak of days with temperatures 90 degrees or greater. According to NWS Jackson data, the current streak of 90 degree days is 29 according. The record for consecutive 90 degree days was 69 days set in 1951 with the streak coming to an end on Sept. 9, 1951.

Last year, temperatures reached 90 degrees or greater for 64 consecutive days with the streak ending on Sept. 12, 2023. The streak ranked third all time. The years 1921, 1948, 1924, 1914, 1954, 1896, 1952 and 1932 also had 45 consecutive days or greater of 90 degree temperatures.