The DeSoto County cold front that forecasters have been tracking all week arrived Friday morning. After a run of record-setting October heat, it is bringing gusty north winds and a sharp drop in temperatures, and it sets up the coolest weekend of the fall so far. The National Weather Service in Memphis says highs Friday will run 15 to 30 degrees lower than Thursday. Sunday morning lows should dip into the low 40s across Southaven, Olive Branch, Hernando and the rest of the county.
Thursday was the last hot day. Memphis International Airport, the official reporting site for the Mid-South, hit 91 degrees on Oct. 15, about 15 degrees above normal, and the overnight low was a muggy 72. Two days earlier the airport reached a record 93.
What the DeSoto County Cold Front Means Friday
The front had already crossed the area by early Friday. Behind it, winds shifted to the north-northwest. The NWS forecast for Southaven calls for:
Friday: A high near 67 early, with temperatures falling to around 64 in the afternoon. North-northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph. A stray morning shower is possible, but any rain will be well under a tenth of an inch.
Friday night: Partly cloudy and breezy, low around 48.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 65, north-northeast wind around 15 mph.
Saturday night: Clear, low around 43.
Sunday: Sunny, high near 71 with light winds.
Monday: Sunny, high near 73.
Fans heading to Friday night high school football games across the county should bring a jacket. Temperatures will drop into the 50s during the games, and the north wind will make it feel cooler.
Elevated Fire Danger This Afternoon
Forecasters also flagged an elevated wildfire danger for Friday afternoon, mainly for areas along and west of Interstate 55, which includes much of DeSoto County. Relative humidity behind the front is expected to fall below 40 percent. Combined with wind gusts near 30 mph and fuels left very dry by weeks of little rain, that means any outdoor fire could spread quickly. The weather service issued a Rangeland Fire Danger Statement for northwest Mississippi and advised people to avoid recreational burning Friday and to properly put out and dispose of cigarettes.
Rain has been scarce. The Memphis airport has recorded 0.86 inch so far in October, about 0.9 inch below normal, and only 1.50 inches since Sept. 1, more than 3 inches below normal. The NWS says no meaningful rain is expected over the next seven days, so the dry conditions are likely to get worse.
Weekend Chill, Then Warming Again
The forecast discussion describes the air mass behind the front as “almost polar in nature.” Sunday morning will be the coldest of the next week. Low 40s are expected across north Mississippi, with upper 30s possible in parts of west Tennessee and a chance of patchy frost in northwest Tennessee. Frost is not in the forecast for DeSoto County, but tender outdoor plants could still be worth covering in low-lying, rural spots.
The cool spell will not last long. Forecasters expect temperatures to return to near normal Monday and climb back above normal by Tuesday. Highs well into the 80s are possible by Wednesday as dry high pressure settles over the region.
Quick Tips for the Weekend
Hold off on burning leaves or brush Friday, and check with your city or the county for any burn restrictions before burning later.
Secure lightweight outdoor items such as Halloween inflatables, trash cans and patio cushions ahead of Friday’s gusts.
Layer up for early-morning plans Saturday and Sunday. Morning temperatures will be in the 40s.
Bring pets that normally stay outside into a sheltered area on Saturday night.
