Memphis wakes up calm but not exactly sleepy. At 5:40 a.m. CDT Friday, March 13, 2026, Memphis International Airport (KMEM) was already reporting clear skies, about 45°F, and a surprisingly strong south-southwest wind near 40 mph. The rest of the day will feel much gentler, with highs near 67°F this afternoon, and the region will climb into the 70s over the weekend before a fast-moving system late Sunday into Monday raises concern about a severe-wind threat.
Afternoon and Weekend Outlook
Today stays sunny and pleasant, with a high near 67°F and lighter southwest winds around 5–10 mph. Saturday cranks up the warmth into the mid-70s with south winds near 5–10 mph, a classic patio-weather setup. Sunday looks to be the warmest of the stretch, with a high near 77°F, south winds increasing to 15–20 mph, and gusts that could reach 40 mph. A chance of scattered showers moves in Sunday afternoon, then ramps up to more organized showers and thunderstorms late Sunday night into Monday morning, according to NWS Memphis.
When To Watch
The main window for organized storms runs from late Sunday evening into early Monday morning, roughly 7 p.m. Sunday through the Monday commute. Forecasters are eyeing a fast-moving line of storms that could produce widespread damaging wind gusts along with the possibility of embedded tornadoes. The national outlook from the Storm Prediction Center currently places parts of the Mid-South in a Slight risk area. Residents are urged to stay alert to watches and warnings Sunday night since conditions may change quickly.
Impact And Tips
Wind is expected to be the headline hazard. Gusts of 35–40 mph could knock down tree limbs and lead to scattered power outages from Sunday night into Monday morning, and brief heavy rain may cut visibility and make roads slick during the Monday commute. Behind the system, colder air rushes in, with highs only near 42°F on Monday and a hard freeze likely Monday night as lows drop into the 20s, so plants and pets will need protection. Ahead of the storms, consider securing loose outdoor items, charging phones, and setting up more than one way to receive weather alerts. If warnings are issued, move quickly to an interior room away from windows.
Local Context
The Mid-South has already been riding a warmer, unsettled pattern over the past week, and this round of storms looks like the sharpest swing yet from warm afternoons to gusty, stormy nights. Check updated forecasts before locking in outdoor weekend plans and keep a close eye on Sunday evening updates as the line of storms draws closer.
