DeSoto County weather will stay sunny, dry and unusually warm for October through Friday, but forecasters are watching a developing tropical system in the Gulf that could send a surge of moisture and rain into the Mid-South this weekend. The National Weather Service in Memphis said Tuesday that low humidity and above-normal temperatures will also keep fire danger elevated until the rain arrives.
DeSoto County Weather Through Friday: Sunny and Near 90
The weather service’s forecast for Southaven calls for clear skies every day through Friday, with highs climbing a little each afternoon:
Tuesday: Sunny, high near 84; low around 60 overnight
Wednesday: Sunny, high near 86; low around 60
Thursday: Sunny, high near 87; low around 62
Friday: Sunny, high near 88; low around 63
Forecasters said a dry air mass has settled over the region, which means cool mornings in the 50s and 60s and much warmer afternoons. Some spots across the Mid-South could touch the lower 90s on Thursday and Friday. Patchy fog is possible late tonight, mainly along and east of the Mississippi River.
Elevated Fire Danger Continues
The weather service said afternoon humidity will drop to 25 to 35 percent each day this week, and dry fuels will keep the fire danger elevated. Light winds should limit how fast fires can spread, but residents should still be careful with outdoor burning, equipment that can throw sparks, and cigarettes. DeSoto County was not under a burn ban as of Monday, though neighboring Tate and Marshall counties were. Check the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s burn ban map before burning.
Tropical System Could Bring Weekend Rain
The main thing to watch is a broad area of low pressure in the southwestern Gulf, labeled AL92 by the National Hurricane Center. In its Tuesday morning outlook, the hurricane center gave the system a 90 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm, said one could form within a day or so, and expects the system to turn north or northeast toward the northern Gulf Coast by the end of the week. It said interests from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana should keep a close eye on it.
For the Mid-South, the Memphis weather service said the main impact would likely be rain, not wind. Moisture is expected to surge into the region Saturday, with atmospheric moisture levels above the 90th percentile for early October. Combined with a weather system to the west, that could produce widespread showers and locally heavy rain, mainly east of the Mississippi River.
Current probabilities for 2 inches or more of rain top 50 percent in parts of northeast Mississippi.
Totals are expected to be lower farther west. Areas along and west of the river have about a 30 to 40 percent chance of an inch or more.
The Southaven point forecast currently shows a 30 to 40 percent chance of showers and storms Saturday through Sunday, with highs falling to around 79 on Sunday.
Forecasters stressed that confidence is low on timing and track. Some computer models hold the system back until early next week, and a slower track could push the heaviest rain farther east. A cold front is expected early next week, bringing cooler, drier air behind the rain.
What DeSoto County Residents Can Do Now
Check back for updated forecasts from the National Weather Service in Memphis and the National Hurricane Center as the week goes on.
Plan outdoor weekend events, including fall festivals and youth sports, with possible rain in mind.
Clear gutters and storm drains near your home of leaves and debris before Saturday.
Hold off on outdoor burning while humidity stays low.
