Autumn officially arrives with fall-like weather!

After a weekend that felt like late summer to many, with highs near 90 and humidity a bit above the "comfortable" level, we're basking the wake of a fall cold front today! High temps are remaining in the 70s and dewpoints are hovering around 50 on a north breeze, leading to a very comfortable afternoon.

Noon Central temperatures. Notice the 80s have been shoved well south by yesterday's cold front, with only 13% of the country above 80 degrees. There are even 50s in the northeastern U.S. at early afternoon. Graphic courtesy WeatherBell.

The front was right on time as well, since the autumnal equinox - that magical minute on the clock when summer officially departs and fall begins - occurs tonight at 9:29pm CDT. In fact, the first morning of fall could see temperatures that look like this:

Tuesday morning's lows will be near 50 outside the city center, but the NAM model indicates some 40s in outlying areas north and east of Memphis. Graphic courtesy WeatherBell.

Yep, that's a lot of 40s across the region! While the urban heat island known as the Bluff City and north MS will stay in the 50s, outlying areas of the metro to the north and east might just see the first upper 40s readings of the fall!

Mmm-hmmm.... that's how I feel too, Cosby.

So how long will it last? The MWN Forecast says tomorrow's high of 78 will be the last 70s reading for several days, though humidity will remain low through the rest of the week. Expect dry conditions and highs in the lower to mid 80s Wednesday through Saturday. By the end of the weekend into early next week, we're watching for the possible development of a Gulf low which moves into the southeastern states. Models disagree on the effects locally, but we'll let you know what to expect when we do!

Happy Autumnal Equinox!
Erik Proseus, MWN Meteorologist

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