Weather
Mid-South Weather: Near-Record Heat Thursday, Then a Big Cooldown Oct 17
Memphis, TN – A dramatic temperature swing is heading toward the Mid South, with near record heat expected Thursday before a cold front delivers much cooler fall weather Friday and into the weekend.
By Cameron Hayes · 2026-10-14T19:50:26.544Z
Memphis, TN – A dramatic temperature swing is heading toward the Mid South, with near record heat expected Thursday before a cold front delivers much cooler fall weather Friday and into the weekend.
Some communities could experience a temperature difference of more than 40 degrees between Thursday afternoon highs and weekend overnight lows.
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, near record high temperatures are expected Thursday, October 15, with afternoon readings reaching the upper 80s and lower 90s across portions of western Tennessee, eastern Arkansas and northern Mississippi.
Memphis is forecast to reach approximately 90 degrees Thursday, while nearby communities including Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Oxford, Mississippi, could reach around 91 and 90 degrees, respectively.
Cold Front Brings Major Temperature Change
A cold front will move through the region, bringing noticeably cooler conditions Friday, October 16.
Memphis is forecast to reach approximately 70 degrees Friday, followed by a high near 66 degrees Saturday, October 17.
Other communities, including Jackson, Tennessee, and Tupelo, Mississippi, are also expected to experience significantly cooler afternoon temperatures.
By Saturday, highs across much of the region should range from the 60s to around 70 degrees.
Chilly Mornings Expected This Weekend
Overnight temperatures will also drop considerably.
The National Weather Service forecasts lows mainly in the 40s across the Mid South, with Memphis potentially falling to around 45 degrees Saturday morning and near 45 degrees again Sunday morning.
Residents accustomed to recent summerlike warmth may want jackets for early morning activities.
The cooler pattern is expected to be temporary, with temperatures gradually warming again early next week.
Thursday will bring the final stretch of near record heat before a substantial fall cooldown arrives across the Mid South.