Pool season · State index
Mississippi Pool Season 2026: Opening & Closing Dates by City
Last updated: July 25, 2026 · 3 cities covered
Both halves of the pool year for all 3 covered Mississippi cities. The median calendar runs March 9 to November 13. Every row links to a one-page season overview with the live water-temperature model; the opening and closing hubs carry the full checklists.
Mississippi: a long-season pool state| City | Open by | Close by | 80°F+ days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | Mar 2 | Nov 19 | 169 |
| Hattiesburg | Mar 9 | Nov 13 | 170 |
| Jackson | Mar 12 | Nov 9 | 165 |
What the columns mean
"Open by" is the recommended spring date — two weeks before the city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F, the model's proxy for water approaching the 65°F algae-growth zone. "Close by" is the fall deadline — ten days after the water leaves that zone, capped a week ahead of the local 50% first-freeze date. "80°F+ days" counts days whose normal high reaches 80°F: the length of the true warm-swim season, and the fairest single number for comparing Mississippi cities against each other.
Every figure comes from each city's own NOAA 1991–2020 normals station (named in its guide's footer), so neighboring cities can legitimately differ by a few days. The season overview linked from each row adds the live water-temperature model and the full-year season bar; the state hubs above carry the step-by-step checklists.
Swim-season length across Mississippi
The fairest way to compare Mississippi cities is the number of days with 80°F+ normal highs — the practical warm-swim season. Every bar links to that city's one-page season overview with the live water model.
Mississippi pool climate at a glance
Deep South heat and humidity open Mississippi pools by mid-spring and keep them swimmable into October, with Gulf tropical systems the main late-season wildcard along the coast. In model terms that makes Mississippi a long-season state. The spread shows up clearly on the local pages: compare Hattiesburg's pool season with Gulfport's and the difference is measured in weeks, not days. Neighbors in the index run on their own normals too — see Minnesota and Missouri for the adjacent calendars.
Mississippi pool season FAQ
When do pools open in Mississippi?
Model openings in Mississippi run from March 2 in Gulfport to March 12 in Jackson, with the statewide median on March 9. Each date is two weeks before that city's 7-day mean temperature crosses 61°F — early enough to start up in algae-cold water.
When should you close a pool in Mississippi?
The median Mississippi closing deadline is November 13, and every city's own deadline is capped a week ahead of its NOAA 50% first-freeze date. Closing late and cold beats closing early and warm — cool water holds its winter chemistry far better.
Which Mississippi city has the longest swim season?
Hattiesburg leads with 170 days of 80°F+ highs per year, while Jackson brings up the rear at 165 days. The chart above ranks every covered city by the same metric.