Memphis woke up to clear skies Tuesday morning, February 10, with temperatures near 57°F at Memphis International Airport, and the city is getting a quick taste of spring. A warm afternoon near 72°F is on tap as south-southwest winds pick up and clouds steadily fill in through the day.
Evening Rain And Thunderstorm Risk
A cold front will move in Tuesday evening into early Wednesday, bringing a chance of showers after about 2 p.m., then a much better shot at showers and thunderstorms Tuesday night into the overnight hours. Lows should dip into the mid-40s before a brief bump back toward the upper 40s overnight. The National Weather Service notes a strong chance of measurable rain, with new rainfall totals of a quarter to a half inch possible and wind gusts over 25 mph along the Mississippi River and Delta regions, according to the NWS forecast discussion.
Late Week And Weekend
Wednesday, February 11, should turn drier and a bit cooler, mostly sunny with a high near 56°F and a Wednesday night low near 37°F. After a short lull on Thursday, the next system lines up for the end of the workweek. Ensemble guidance and the NWS discussion point to showers and thunderstorms returning late Friday into Saturday, with some ensemble members showing 2–3 inches of rain in parts of the Mid-South, with the highest odds near and east of the Tennessee–Mississippi line. For context on how quickly conditions have been swinging, see our coverage of the recent deep freeze and thaw.
Commute And Outdoor Plans
South-southwest winds of 10–15 mph this afternoon may gust higher at times, and tonight’s heavier showers or storms could bring brief downpours and ponding on low-lying streets. If you have evening plans or a late drive, build in extra time, keep the rain gear handy, and do not attempt to drive through flooded roadways.
Aviation
VFR conditions are likely through the afternoon, but ceilings and visibility may drop to MVFR overnight as rain moves in, with improvement expected Wednesday morning. Travelers using Memphis International Airport should check their flight status before heading out.
