The National Weather Service in Memphis has updated the local forecast, expecting a sunny day today with temperatures climbing near 95 degrees, the calmness of the morning giving way to a light southwest breeze in the afternoon. Residents can anticipate a mostly clear night ahead with lows around 71 degrees, as calm winds continue to prevail.
Looking ahead to Thursday and Friday, the script remains much the same—mostly sunny days with highs again touching the mid-90s, and nighttime conditions partly cloudy with lows hovering around 70 degrees. The weekend brings a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a 20 to 30 percent chance indicated in the forecast, but the sun is still expected to make a strong appearance, keeping temperatures in the 90s. A notably quiet weather pattern for Memphis this time of year, indicating summer's stubborn grip on the city.
However, with the heat comes concerns for air quality. The Shelby County Health Department, in coordination with the NWS Memphis, has issued a warning for elevated ozone levels—a Code Orange Ozone Forecast, effective today for the Memphis area, including parts of Arkansas and Mississippi. This advisory is particularly important for sensitive groups such as active children and adults, and those with respiratory diseases like asthma. These groups are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activities as ozone values are expected to be unhealthy and may exceed Environmental Protection Agency's federal standards for safe health.
"The Shelby County Health Department recommends that sensitive groups which include active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, limit prolonged outdoor exertion," the Air Quality Alert advisory states. Health officials remind the public to stay updated on air quality forecasts and updates until monitored values return to safe levels, with more information available at www.airnow.gov.
