A prefetch stream is established in a prefetch unit of a memory controller for a system memory at a lowest level of a volatile memory hierarchy of the data processing system based on a memory access request received from a processor core. The memory controller receives an indication of an upcoming high latency event affecting access to the system memory. In response to the indication, the memory controller temporarily increases a prefetch depth of the prefetch stream with respect to the system memory and issues, to the system memory, a plurality of prefetch requests in accordance with the temporarily increased prefetch depth in advance of the upcoming high latency event.