Climate

Did you know that Jones County is home to a National Championship Southern Magnolia? With a circumference of 22’4”, Crown of 89’6” and height of 89’ this tree stand majestically within Ellisville State School’s property on Highway 11. View more information about other Mississippi Championship Trees.

Jones County has a mild “Four-Season” climate thanks to its location in the mid-latitudinal range of the United States. The area has two principal “weather-makers” that influence temperature and precipitation throughout the year: wind and frontal patterns arrive from the Great Plains and Southwest United States, and then unite with the warm ocean moisture coming up from the Gulf of Mexico.

This normal weather pattern creates a climate just right for continuous outdoor activities and an avid gardening culture. Based on a thirty-year record cycle, Jones County enjoys cumulative precipitation of 55-60 inches a year (an average of 4-5 inches a month), and average temperature highs of 76° F and lows of 52° F.

Of course, every climate has its extremes, Jones County included. But our temperature extremes occupy very few days during the year: our hottest months are July and August with an average high of 91° F; our coldest month is typically January with an average low of 34°F.

We also run the occasional risk of severe thunderstorms, and very rare instances of ice storms, tornadic winds and tropical storms. While such occurrences can’t be prevented, Jones County has effective and cooperative emergency agencies with comprehensive response plans. Because of our planning and capabilities, Jones County communities recover well from rare severe weather events.

Most of the time, though, our climate fits perfectly with our active lifestyle. At various times of the year, you’ll find us hunting, fishing and enjoying a wide variety of outdoor sports and activities.

Our climate also contributes to a very active gardening culture. In the spring, dazzling shades of azaleas and dainty white dogwood blossoms bloom amid the sweet aroma of honeysuckle in the air. In the summer, vegetable plots yield a cornucopia of tomatoes, peppers and abundant varieties of peas and beans. As the temperatures begin to cool in the fall, freshly harvested turnips and other hardy greens offer a traditional Southern meal served with hot cornbread. And even in winter, bright red camellias bloom just around Christmas time.

No matter what your outdoor avocation – be you bow hunter, water skier or butterfly gardener – you’ll find a friendly partner with the climate here in Jones County.