Corinth Weather: Near-90 Heat, Then Rain Chances by Friday

The Corinth weather outlook for the final days of September calls for more sunshine and rising heat, with highs climbing to near 90 degrees by Thursday before the first real rain chances in some time arrive Friday and Saturday, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast for Corinth and Alcorn County. Any rain would be welcome news in a region where the U.S. Drought Monitor now shows every acre of Alcorn, Prentiss and Tishomingo counties in drought.

Corinth weather: day-by-day forecast

The National Weather Service office in Memphis, which covers Northeast Mississippi, expects a dry start to the week with cool nights and warm afternoons. Here is the forecast for the Corinth area as of Sunday afternoon, Sept. 27:

• Sunday night: Mostly clear, low around 55.
• Monday, Sept. 28: Sunny, high near 81. Mostly clear overnight, low around 54.
• Tuesday, Sept. 29: Sunny, high near 85. Low around 60.
• Wednesday, Sept. 30: Sunny, high near 89, with a light south-southeast wind. Low around 66.
• Thursday, Oct. 1: Mostly sunny and hot, high near 90, with a 20 percent chance of showers after 1 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 2: A 50 percent chance of rain showers, partly sunny, high near 85.
• Saturday, Oct. 3: A 50 percent chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms later in the day. Mostly cloudy, high near 80.

There were no active weather watches, warnings or advisories for Alcorn, Prentiss or Tishomingo counties on Sunday afternoon.

Drought tightens its grip on Northeast Mississippi

The dry stretch has taken a toll. In the U.S. Drought Monitor map released last week (valid Sept. 22–28), all of Alcorn County was rated at least moderate drought (D1), and about 86 percent of the county was in severe drought (D2). One week earlier, none of Alcorn County was rated severe.

Neighboring counties are trending the same way:

• Prentiss County: 100 percent in moderate drought, with about 13 percent now in severe drought. A week earlier, only about 53 percent of the county was in moderate drought.
• Tishomingo County: 100 percent in moderate drought, up from about 7 percent the week before.

The next Drought Monitor update is due out Thursday. Because the forecast keeps the area dry through at least Wednesday, conditions are not expected to improve before then.

What the weekend rain chances mean

Friday’s and Saturday’s 50 percent rain chances are the first meaningful rain chances in the seven-day forecast, but the forecast calls for showers rather than a steady soaking rain, and it is too early to say how much will fall or whether it will ease the drought. Forecasts that far out often change, so check back for updates as the week goes on.

The timing could also matter for weekend plans. Saturday, Oct. 3, is the date of the free concert on the lawn of the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center marking the 164th anniversary of the Battle of Corinth. Anyone planning to attend should keep an eye on the forecast and have a rain plan.

Tips for the dry, warm week ahead

• Be careful with fire. Dry grass and leaves ignite easily. Check whether a county burn ban is in effect before burning anything outdoors, and never leave a fire unattended.
• Water wisely. Watering lawns, gardens and new plantings in the early morning cuts down on evaporation.
• Stay hydrated. Afternoon highs near 90 on Wednesday and Thursday are warm for early fall. Outdoor workers, athletes and anyone at Friday night football games should drink plenty of water.
• Watch the sky Saturday. If thunderstorms develop, remember: when thunder roars, go indoors.

Related coverage: Alcorn County Drought Turns Severe as Burn Bans Ring Area and Battle of Corinth Anniversary Concert Set for Oct. 3.

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