Best Time for Outdoor Projects in Mississippi

Mississippi weather and outdoor projects

Mississippi has hot, humid summers, mild winters and heavy rain, with spring and winter often the wettest seasons. The Gulf Coast around Gulfport and Biloxi is warmer and more humid than Jackson and the north, where hard freezes are more common.

Fall is usually the best season for staining, painting and sealing, with more dry days and lower humidity. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms, and humid nights bring heavy dew, so start early. Hurricane season (June through November) affects the coast most. Clean mildew before you coat any wood or siding.

Frost dates in Mississippi

In Jackson, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 14 and the median first fall freeze is around November 14, a frost-free season of about 245 days.

In Gulfport–Biloxi, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around February 23 and the median first fall freeze is around December 3, a frost-free season of about 287 days.

How Mississippi compares with other states

Jackson is tied for the 5th-most days at 90°F or hotter of the 50 state main stations (85 a year). Jackson is tied for the 6th-shortest deck staining season of the 50 state main stations (3 good months). Jackson is tied for the 10th-most humid summer afternoons of the 47 state main stations (53% humidity at 3 PM, June–August).

Best time to stain a deck in Mississippi

In Jackson, the most reliable months are April–May and October. February–March, June, September and November–December can also work on the right days. In January, nights average about 37°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. July–August is hot, with average highs near 92°F and about 24 days a month at 90°F or more, so work early in the day. In February–March and November, nights average about 43°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June and September are hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun. December is cool, with highs around 60°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.

In Gulfport–Biloxi, the most reliable months are March–May and October–November. June–September and December–February can also work on the right days. January is cool, with highs around 61°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In February and December, nights average about 45°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–September is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

Deck staining forecast →

Best time to paint outside in Mississippi

In Jackson, the most reliable months are March–May and October. June, September and November–February can also work on the right days. July–August is hot, with average highs near 92°F and about 24 days a month at 90°F or more, so work early in the day. January is cool, with highs around 57°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In February and November–December, nights average about 41°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June and September are hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

In Gulfport–Biloxi, the most reliable months are February–May and October–November. June–September and December–January can also work on the right days. In December–January, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–September is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

Exterior painting forecast →

Best time to pour concrete in Mississippi

In Jackson, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 69°F, Nov 67°F). December–February averages about 11 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. March and November bring about 4 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.

In Gulfport–Biloxi, the most reliable months are March–November. December–February can also work on the right days (average highs Jan 61°F, Feb 65°F, Dec 64°F). December–February brings about 5 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.

Concrete pouring forecast →

Best time to seal a driveway in Mississippi

In Jackson, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 69°F, Nov 67°F). December–January is too cold, with average highs around 59°F. In February, nights average about 40°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In March, nights average about 46°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. November is cool, with highs around 67°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.

In Gulfport–Biloxi, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. July–August and November–March can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 63°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 51°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July–August averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.

Driveway sealing forecast →

Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in Mississippi

In Jackson, the most reliable months are February–May and October–November. June, September and December–January can also work on the right days. July–August is hot, with average highs near 92°F and about 24 days a month at 90°F or more, so work early in the day. December–January is cool, with highs around 59°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June and September are hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

In Gulfport–Biloxi, the most reliable months are October–May. June–September can also work on the right days. June–September is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

Lawn fertilizer forecast →

How the weather differs across Mississippi

Of the places above, Gulfport–Biloxi has the most good months for staining, painting and concrete combined (20 job-months), and Jackson has the fewest (14).

Monthly weather in Jackson

*Days with 0.1 inch of rain or more; column notes.

Monthly weather in Gulfport–Biloxi