By KRISTIN HOGANS | The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The drought in Adams County might soon be a thing of the past; heavy rainfall is expected through much of the week.

The Jackson office of the National Weather Service is predicting 4-5 inches of rain for the next five days. Rainfall was expected to start Monday night.

A 40- to 50-percent chance of thunderstorms in the area will continue until Thursday night, according to National Weather Service predictions.

Senior Hydrologist Marty Pope said that amount of rain would be a big relief for the Adams County area and other parts of the state.

“Hopefully we will get the rain,” Pope said.

Adams County has been dealing with drought conditions since approximately March of this year, though high temperatures and dry air have worsened things in recent weeks.

Meteorologist Eric Carpenter said rainfall would be widespread from Memphis, Tenn., to Natchez this week. Carpenter said numerous afternoon showers should soak the ground.

Pope said the rainfall should also help raise the Mississippi River level, but not by extreme amounts. He said the rainfall will put water in the river system, but there is a need for more rain to make a bigger effect.

Carpenter said the predicted rainfall should bring with it lower temperatures.

“The temperatures will be slightly below normal for this time of year,” Carpenter said.

The rain will help, but only for a short-term basis, Pope said.

Carpenter said the chances for rain are high for the rest of the week and will decrease next week.