185 FXUS64 KMEG 121129 AFDMEGArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Memphis TN 629 AM CDT Fri Sep 12 2025
...New AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 627 AM CDT Fri Sep 12 2025
- Hot and dry conditions will persist throughout the Mid-South leading to above-normal temperatures through next week.
- Temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees for the next several days. There is potential for some areas to hit 100 degrees by early next week.
- Drought conditions are expected to persist or worsen due to lack of precipitation and prolonged heat. This also raises wildland fire concerns through at least next week.
&&
.DISCUSSION... (Tonight through next Thursday) Issued at 1126 PM CDT Thu Sep 11 2025
The upper pattern over the CONUS continues to consist of western and eastern troughs, with an amplifying ridge in between over the Plains. Northwesterly flow currently sits across the region behind the eastern trough, which is slowly propagating eastward. Height rises behind this trough have allowed for surface temperatures to increase today with observed highs in the low to mid 90s. These temperatures will slowly rise over the coming days as ridging to the west amplifies and brings gradual height rises through this weekend. High temperatures will eventually climb into the mid to upper 90s Saturday and Sunday and plateau through next week as the ridge remains across the region. Heat indices will near triple digit values, but surface moisture is not expected to be high enough to push temperatures above that threshold. Regardless, heat will become uncomfortable, especially given that these temperatures will be around for an extended period of time.
The forecast has been quite erratic with respect to precipitation. Expectations were that an increase in background ridging would lead to a stronger mid level warm nose, and in response, a lower chance for precipitation as the week progressed. In contrast, afternoon boundary layer mixing has failed to decrease dew points to produce enough MLCIN to hamper any convection. This was evident during the afternoon and evening Thursday as several thunderstorms occurred along the TN river. This leads to the idea that additional showers could be possible today, even if ridging is still amplifying across the region. However, looking at 00z HREF guidance, the majority of members fail to produce widespread showers throughout the afternoon today. This is directly opposed to a better performance for Thursday`s afternoon showers from yesterday`s guidance. Therefore, expect another low (0% - 10%) chance for showers this afternoon with changes possible as the day progresses.
Precipitation chances should still decrease more with time through the weekend. By Saturday, guidance is in agreement that a large 590 dm ridge axis will be present along a line from TX to MI, translating east with time. NAM Forecast soundings show weak mid- level lapse rates with consistent afternoon MLCAPE values in the 500 - 1000 J/kg range through Sunday, which is likely in the upper echelon of possible values. As such, low end PoPs (again 0 - 20%) remain in the forecast Saturday through the end of the forecast across the entire region.
With no significant wetting rains in the past month, a D2 (Severe) drought has crept into the western half of the Mid-South and a D1 (Moderate) drought across nearly the rest of the region. Future rain prospects do not instill optimism in any relief from this drought that should only grow in size and severity within this pattern. In addition, a growing drought also means that fire dangers are also elevated with afternoon RH values in the 20s and 30s through the entire forecast. Fortunately, winds will remain light through the period, limiting the overall the potential for higher fire danger.
&&
.AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 627 AM CDT Fri Sep 12 2025
VFR through the period. Light and variable winds becoming northerly this afternoon. There is a low chance (
NWS MEG Office Area Forecast Discussion