Old Farmer's Almanac fall forecast calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures and below-average rainfall across much of the Deep South, including Mississippi. Fall starts on Sept. 22 with the autumnal equinox, and the outlook points to a later arrival of cooler weather in September and October.
Bonnie Bolden, the Deep South Connect reporter covering Mississippi for Network, reported that the region can expect temperatures about one degree warmer than average during September and October. The Gulf Coast region is also expected to be warmer and drier than normal, with northern areas seeing about 2 inches less rain and southern areas up to 4 inches less than usual.
Mississippi and October
Mississippi historically does not see sustained cooler temperatures until October. Historic data from usclimatedata.com shows average highs in October fall into the upper 70s, while overnight lows drop into the 50s. That makes the seasonal forecast more practical for people planning around planting, outdoor events and other fall schedules that depend on the first stretch of steadier cool weather.
Old Farmer's Almanac planning
The Old Farmer's Almanac said it looks at long-range predictions to help people like farmers, gardeners and event planners make decisions in advance, and it has helped people plan their year since 1792. It describes the factors it uses as "science, climatology and meteorology."
A University of Illinois study of the almanac's accuracy published in 1981 found only about 50% accuracy for rain and precipitation forecasts over five years. The almanac later gave itself about an 80% accuracy rate in an internal review of its 2023-24 winter forecast, even as its winter 2024-25 outlook for late January and early February missed the timing of an Arctic blast that reached the Gulf Coast earlier than forecast.
For people in Mississippi and the broader Deep South, the practical read is simple: prepare for fall to start warm and stay dry longer than average before cooler weather settles in more fully.
