Rain chances could increase across south Mississippi next week as forecasters monitor the first potential area of tropical development of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
The National Hurricane Center is tracking a disturbance that could develop over the Bay of Campeche in the southwestern Gulf later this week. According to forecasters, a broad area of low pressure is expected to form in the region, though environmental conditions are not favorable for significant development.
Strong upper-level wind shear is expected to limit the system’s ability to organize as it drifts westward and moves inland over eastern Mexico late this weekend.
Even if no tropical system forms, moisture associated with the disturbance could be pulled northward into the Gulf Coast and Southeast next week. If that occurs, rain chances could increase across south Mississippi and neighboring states.
The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.