North Mississippi weather: Dry week keeps afternoon fire danger elevated

North Mississippi’s dry spell is expected to continue this week, with the National Weather Service warning that afternoon fire danger will remain elevated across much of the Mid-South. The agency’s Tuesday morning outlook calls for warm days and little change in the dry pattern.

A persistent area of high pressure is expected to keep the region dry as daytime temperatures climb into the upper 70s to low 80s by midweek. Forecasters expect the warm, dry pattern to extend into the weekend, according to the Oct. 20 discussion from the weather service’s Memphis office.

The fire concern comes with afternoon relative humidity forecast at or below 30% across most of the region. Winds are expected to remain light enough that Red Flag Warnings are not warranted, the discussion says, while elevated fire danger continues. Those are regional forecast conditions, rather than humidity readings measured in Pontotoc.

The weather service urges residents to follow any local burn bans and properly dispose of cigarettes and matches. People making outdoor plans should keep the continuing afternoon fire risk in mind even as the forecast stays dry and warm.

Photo: Pontotoc News original editorial graphic

Sources: NWS Memphis: Oct. 20 morning Area Forecast Discussion; Related local coverage: Toccopola woods fire reported contained Oct. 19