Corinth Forecast: Freeze Tonight, Then Dry 70s and Fire Risk

The Corinth forecast calls for one more hard frost and a low near 28 degrees tonight before a slow, bone-dry warm-up carries afternoon highs back to around 70 by the middle of next week. The National Weather Service in Memphis said Saturday that no meaningful rain is expected for at least seven days, a stretch that is likely to worsen the drought across Alcorn, Tishomingo and Prentiss counties and nudge fire danger higher each afternoon.

Corinth forecast: frosty mornings through Tuesday

Forecasters said in their Saturday discussion that another freeze is expected Sunday morning, mainly east of Interstate 55. For Corinth, the weather service predicts widespread frost after 9 p.m. Saturday under mostly clear skies with nearly calm wind, the setup that lets temperatures fall fastest in low-lying and rural spots.

Frost is in the forecast for the next three mornings as well. The day-by-day outlook for Corinth from the National Weather Service:

• Saturday night: Mostly clear, widespread frost, low around 28.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, high near 58. Low around 31 with frost after midnight.
• Monday: Sunny, high near 60. Low around 31 with frost and patchy fog late.
• Tuesday: Morning frost and patchy fog, then sunny with a high near 64. Low around 33.
• Wednesday: Sunny, high near 68. Low around 39.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 71. Low around 43.

Gardeners who have been covering tender plants should plan to keep doing so through Tuesday morning. Pets need a warm place overnight, and drivers heading out early should allow time to scrape windshields. The weather service also expects areas of fog each morning near rivers, valleys and lakes, which could include the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and Pickwick Lake areas of Tishomingo County.

Warming trend builds to the 70s

High pressure is forecast to stay parked over the Mid-South and strengthen through midweek while a ridge builds aloft over the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. Forecasters said that pattern should push high temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal late in the week, with the low to mid 70s possible across the region by Friday and Saturday. Above-normal temperatures are expected to continue beyond the seven-day period.

No rain in sight as drought lingers

The warm-up comes with a cost. The weather service said the chance of a wetting rain is near zero over the next seven days and that drought conditions will persist or worsen. A drought graphic the Memphis office updated Friday shows most of the Mid-South in moderate to extreme drought on the U.S. Drought Monitor map dated Nov. 10, with northeast Mississippi largely in the moderate category and a pocket of severe drought remaining in Alcorn County.

Afternoon humidity is forecast to drop below 35 percent in north Mississippi as early as Sunday and Monday and below 30 percent later in the week as temperatures climb. Forecasters said light winds will be the main factor holding fire danger in check, but they expect it to creep up a little each day.

Burn ban reminder

Dry grass, fallen leaves and low humidity mean any outdoor fire can spread quickly. Tishomingo County’s burn ban remains in effect through Nov. 19, according to the Mississippi Forestry Commission. Elsewhere, residents should think twice before burning leaves or debris, keep water and tools on hand, never leave a fire unattended and check for local restrictions first.

Forecasts can change. Check the National Weather Service in Memphis for updates before making plans.

Related: Alcorn County Drought Eases; Extreme Category Removed | Tishomingo County Burn Ban Enters Final Week

Source: National Weather Service Memphis