MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A stretch of hotter-than-normal weather is expected to lock into the Southeast through late September, with little relief from rainfall. The National Weather Service says temperatures are likely to climb several degrees above seasonal averages from Tennessee to Mississippi and Alabama, while precipitation chances remain well below normal.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the period from Saturday, September 20, through Friday, September 26, shows a strong signal for above-normal heat across much of the Southeast, including Memphis, Little Rock, Jackson, and Birmingham. Rainfall deficits are also projected, particularly in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee, where soils are already running dry.
Hot afternoons could push heat index values higher than usual for mid-September, raising concerns for outdoor workers and school sports. Residents are urged to stay hydrated, limit strenuous activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Farmers across the Delta may also face added irrigation demands with little rain in sight.
The warm and dry setup may last beyond next weekend if high pressure continues to dominate the region. Updates from the National Weather Service will refine timing, but the overall pattern points to heat and drought stress across much of the Southeast.
