64 Mississippi Counties Still Under Burn Bans on October 29 as Weekend Rain of 0.25 to 0.5 Inch Offers Little Drought Relief
Mississippi continued to battle persistent drought on October 29, 2026. According to Christopher Rainer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, the Jackson area has had no rain over the past two weeks and the whole state remains in drought.
As of the morning of October 29, 64 counties statewide were under outdoor burn bans, including Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties in the Jackson area and Lamar and Forrest counties in the Hattiesburg area.
The forecast shows chances of showers and thunderstorms this Saturday and Sunday that may bring limited relief, but rainfall is expected to total only 0.25 to 0.5 inch at best, not enough to end the drought. Rainer said a second weather system will move through next week that could bring strong thunderstorms, with a more organized storm system possible on Tuesday and Wednesday, though there is still little confidence in the timing and details of the severe weather threat.
The state forestry agency reminds residents not to burn outdoors while burn bans are in effect; the latest list of counties under bans is available on the Mississippi Forestry Commission website. With the Halloween weekend approaching, forecasters advise residents to watch the weekend rain forecast, plan outdoor activities accordingly, and be ready for possible strong weather next week.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：干旱期间密西西比州维克斯堡附近密西西比河露出的河滩（资料图）。照片：美国农业部（CC BY 2.0），经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Exposed shoals on the Mississippi River near Vicksburg, Mississippi, during drought (file photo). Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
