DeSoto County Weather: Dry Week, Rain Chances by Friday

After weeks of dry weather, DeSoto County weather will stay sunny and warm for the first half of this week before rain chances return late in the week, according to the National Weather Service forecast for the Hernando area. Relief may still be limited: the whole county has been in moderate drought for most of September.

DeSoto County Weather Forecast for the Week

The National Weather Service office in Memphis expects clear skies and light winds to start the week, then a gradual warm-up. Here is the forecast for Hernando as of Sunday afternoon:

• Sunday night: Partly cloudy, low around 61
• Monday: Sunny, high near 82; clear Monday night with a low around 58
• Tuesday: Sunny, high near 86
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 89
• Thursday: Slight chance of showers (20%), high near 89; 30% chance of showers Thursday night
• Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of showers, high near 82
• Saturday: 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, high near 77

No watches, warnings or advisories were in effect for DeSoto County as of Sunday afternoon.

DeSoto County Remains in Moderate Drought

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 100% of DeSoto County has been in D1 (moderate drought) since the map released for the week of Sept. 8. That’s a sharp change from late August, when about two-thirds of the county showed no drought at all and the rest was only rated abnormally dry.

Moderate drought can mean stressed lawns and gardens, dry pastures and ponds, and a higher chance that outdoor fires spread. The rain chances late this week are welcome, but scattered showers usually don’t end a drought on their own.

What It Means for Weekend Plans

The wettest stretch of the forecast lines up with several big local events. The Mid-South Fair opens Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Landers Center in Southaven, and Friday night high school football is on the schedule across the county. Anyone headed out Friday night or Saturday should check the latest forecast before leaving and bring rain gear.

A few reminders while conditions stay dry:

• Be careful with outdoor burning and check local rules and any burn restrictions before lighting a fire.
• Don’t toss cigarettes from vehicles, and keep trailer chains from dragging, since sparks can start roadside grass fires.
• Water lawns and gardens early in the morning to cut down on evaporation.

For more on the week ahead, see our preview of the Mid-South Fair at the Landers Center and details on the Craft Road bridge reopening over U.S. 78.

Source: National Weather Service Memphis; U.S. Drought Monitor