Pontotoc weekend: sunny skies; NWS expects fire danger to ease

Pontotoc’s weekend forecast calls for sunny skies and mild afternoons, with the National Weather Service projecting a high near 78 degrees Saturday and 76 Sunday. Friday afternoon’s point forecast puts overnight lows near 48 both Friday and Saturday nights, with clear to mostly clear skies.

The more notable change is in the regional fire-weather outlook. In its Friday afternoon discussion, the weather service’s Memphis office says a modest increase in moisture should push relative humidity above 30% Saturday, helping ease the elevated fire danger. Forecasters say drought and dry fuel conditions still need monitoring. The forecast does not announce any change to local burn restrictions.

Morning visibility may also need attention. The Memphis office expects patchy to locally dense radiation fog each morning across its forecast area, while the broader pattern stays dry and warmer than normal through the weekend and into early next week. That is a regional forecast, rather than a report of fog already observed in Pontotoc.

Photo: Pontotoc News original editorial graphic

Sources: NWS Memphis: full Oct. 23 afternoon forecast and fire-weather discussion; NWS: current Pontotoc point forecast; Related local coverage: Ecru’s Oct. 20 county burn-ban notice