The skies over Memphis were a dreary overcast in the early hours today, with the National Weather Service reporting a humidity of 87% and a chilly wind chill of 52°F. However, it seems the sun is taking a stand, planning to burst through the clouds and bring the temperature up to a comfortable 74°F by the afternoon. A gentle south southwest wind will accompany the warming trend, according to the NWS Memphis latest update.
Later tonight, residents should expect the clouds to roll back in, dropping temperatures to a low around 48°F, with winds shifting from south southwest to north after midnight. The weather appears to almost purposefully cool down before it swings back up, as Thursday promises a sunny day with a high nearing 64°F, and northwest winds lightly pushing at 5 to 10 mph.
Moreover, the clear skies aren't going anywhere any time soon. The NWS detailed forecast anticipates a continuation of sunny weather stretching into the weekend, with the mercury expected to peak at 67°F on Friday, then to slightly dip to a high near 61°F by Saturday.
While the week ahead looks mostly clear, the NWS has also put out a Flood Advisory for the Mississippi River at Memphis, lasting until early Sunday morning. The flooding, linked to recent excessive rainfall, is likely to affect areas in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, "At 29.0 feet, In Arkansas, the evacuation route from camps south of Hopefield Chute is cut off," warns the NWS. They continue to implore the public to exercise caution, especially when walking near riverbanks.
The river was reported to be at 28.8 feet as of 7 PM CST Tuesday and is expected to rise to a crest of 28.9 feet just after midnight tonight. While the advisory is currently at the action stage, which is 28.0 feet, the river would have to reach a significant 34.0 feet to be considered at flood stage. For now, the situation remains under advisory, with interested individuals urged to keep abreast of updates on the NWS website.
