A strong late-fall cold front will pass over the Mid-South this Thanksgiving weekend, bringing bitter air, persistent rain, and the possibility of the season’s first widespread frost by Sunday night. As temperatures drop behind the front, Christmas travel in Tennessee, Arkansas, and northern Mississippi may be slowed.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Memphis, Tennessee, and Little Rock, Arkansas, below-normal temperatures are expected from November 28 to December 4, with highs in the 40s and nightly lows in the 20s to low 30s. A band of rain will pass through Friday and Saturday, followed by clear skies and significantly cooler temperatures as Arctic air moves in.
According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, wet roads along I-40, I-55, and U.S. 64 could become treacherous late Saturday night when temperatures drop below freezing. Gusty northwest gusts of up to 25 mph will add to the chill and may produce intermittent power outages in exposed places. The coldest mornings are forecast on Monday and Tuesday, when widespread frost and localized freezes may damage unprotected pipelines and plants.
Residents should keep their pets indoors, safeguard vulnerable vegetation, and leave additional time for early morning commutes. Travelers going home after Thanksgiving should check road and airport updates as colder air moves southeastward through the region.