Soil Temperature in Mississippi
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Mississippi is 83°F, based on 16 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 75°F to 88°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Mississippi with soil averaging 83°F at 2 inches. Warm-season grasses are in peak growth; keep cool-season lawns mowed high and watered deep. The next application windows arrive in fall, starting with pre-emergent as soil falls back through 70°F.
Grass Seed Germination in Mississippi
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Mississippi. Soil warmth varies by location, so check a city page for the live reading and what germinates there now.
| Grass species | Germination optimum | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 59–86°F | 14-30 |
| Tall fescue | 68–86°F | 7-12 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 68–86°F | 5-10 |
| Fine fescue | 59–77°F | 7-14 |
| Bermudagrass | 75–85°F | 10-30 |
Monitoring Stations in Mississippi (16)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Mississippi. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Mississippi. See the Mississippi soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwin Ck Pasture (Panola) | 80°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Goodwin Ck Timber (Panola) | 75°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Beasley Lake (Sunflower) | 85°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Onward (Sharkey) | 83°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Tunica (Tunica) | 81°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Vance (Tallahatchie) | 84°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Perthshire (Bolivar) | 84°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Starkville (Oktibbeha) | 83°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Scott (Bolivar) | 81°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Tnc Fort Bayou (Jackson) | 82°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Silver City (Humphreys) | 80°F | 2026-07-02 |
| North Issaquena (Issaquena) | 88°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Sandy Ridge (Sunflower) | 85°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Mayday (Yazoo) | 85°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Holly Springs 4 N | 85°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Newton 5 ENE | 87°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Mississippi (31)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Saint Louis | 39520 | 82°F |
| Biloxi | 39530 | 82°F |
| Brandon | 39042 | 85°F |
| Brookhaven | 39601 | 78°F* |
| Cleveland | 38732 | 85°F |
| Clinton | 39056 | 85°F |
| Columbus | 39701 | 83°F |
| Corinth | 38834 | 80°F |
| Greenville | 38701 | 81°F |
| Greenwood | 38930 | 85°F |
| Grenada | 38901 | 75°F |
| Gulfport | 39501 | 82°F |
| Hattiesburg | 39401 | 82°F |
| Holly Springs | 38634 | 85°F |
| Jackson | 39201 | 85°F |
| Laurel | 39440 | 87°F |
| Madison | 39110 | 85°F |
| Mccomb | 39648 | 79°F* |
| Meridian | 39301 | 87°F |
| Moss Point | 39562 | 82°F |
| Natchez | 39120 | 79°F* |
| Ocean Springs | 39564 | 82°F |
| Pascagoula | 39567 | 82°F |
| Pearl | 39208 | 85°F |
| Ridgeland | 39157 | 85°F |
| Southaven | 38671 | 81°F |
| Starkville | 39759 | 83°F |
| Stennis Space Center | 39522 | 82°F |
| Tupelo | 38801 | 83°F |
| Vicksburg | 39180 | 83°F |
| Walls | 38680 | 81°F |
Modeled estimate from Open-Meteo where no monitoring station is within 75 miles; all other readings are measured at USDA and NOAA stations.
Lawn Care Timing Guides for Mississippi
- When to Apply Broadleaf Weed Killer on Warm-Season Lawns in Spring
Spring broadleaf timing for St.
- How to Identify and Kill Nutsedge in Your Lawn
Nutsedge is a sedge, not a grass, which is why standard weed control fails.
- How to Apply Liquid Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Learn how to mix, calibrate, and spray liquid pre-emergent herbicide.
- Grass Seed Germination Soil Temperature by Species
The soil temperature each grass species needs to germinate, from 15+ university extensions: tall fescue and perennial ryegrass 68-86°F, Kentucky bluegrass 59-86°F, fine fescue 59-77°F, cool-season 50°F trigger, warm-season 65°F.
Soil Temperature FAQ for Mississippi
What is the current soil temperature in Mississippi?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Mississippi is 83°F, based on 16 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 75°F to 88°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Mississippi?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Mississippi, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Mississippi?
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) can be seeded when soil holds between 50 and 65°F. Warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) need soil above 65°F. Timing varies by location, so check your city's planting window for the dates specific to your area.