Memphis Braces for Unpredictable Spring Weather with Thunderstorms and Sunshine

Memphis is looking at a mix of thunderstorms and sunshine over the next week with the National Weather Service forecasting a classic case of spring's volatile weather. The region was greeted this morning with thunderstorms and light rain accompanied by fog and mist, setting the stage for an unpredictable week ahead. According to the latest reports, Memphis residents can expect showers and thunderstorms mainly before noon today, then the skies partly clear up for a high near 81 degrees—not a bad recovery after a foggy start.

The NWS Memphis has indicated that there is a 70% chance of precipitation with expected new rainfall amounts between a quarter and a half of an inch. As the day progresses, calm winds are predicted to pick up slightly, becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Tonight's forecast is leaning toward clearer skies with a low around 65 and patches of fog developing past the witching hour. In a break from the turbulent weather, Sunday promises sunshine with temperatures soaring as high as 87 degrees and a calm transition into the evening.

Come Monday, Memphis will be bathing in sunlight once again with a high near 90 degrees, and the night sky is said to remain mostly unobstructed by clouds. This pattern of daytime sun takes an uncertain turn on Tuesday night as the chance of showers inches back up to 30 percent after 1 a.m., coupled with a partly cloudy sky and a low around 73. The NWS Memphis notes, "A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am."

Midweek instability continues with Wednesday and Thursday presenting a 30 and 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, respectively. Daytime highs will hover near the mid-to-upper 80s, a welcoming embrace of warmth between the anticipated bouts of rain. As the week nears its conclusion, predictions of thunderstorms are likely with high temperatures lingering in the low 80s by Thursday night. Friday stays on theme—a toss-up with a 50 percent chance of rain despite a mostly sunny forecast and a high near 83.

For those in Memphis, the coming days demand a wardrobe ready to tackle both ends of spring's mercurial moods, with waterproof gear on standby and sunhats at the ready. Detailed forecasts and updates can be found on the National Weather Service website.