Memphis rolled into Monday, March 16, 2026, with a raw wake-up call. Temperatures barely crawled into the low 40s, and a stiff northwest breeze made it feel even colder, turning quick errands and the morning commute into a brisk march. With chilly air locked in and overnight lows still dropping, the city is under short-term wind and freeze alerts that could be rough on both drivers and backyard gardens.
Winds And Freeze Warnings
Northwest winds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are expected into early Monday, with a Wind Advisory in effect through 7 AM CDT on Monday, March 16, 2026. That kind of breeze is enough to shove around lightweight yard furniture and make steering a little tricky for high-profile vehicles.
On top of the wind, Freeze Warnings are posted for Monday morning and again Monday night into Tuesday, March 17. Lows are forecast to dip into the 20s, with some spots sliding to the upper 20s Monday morning and near the teens by Tuesday. These short-lived but impactful alerts raise the odds of blown-around yard furniture, downed limbs and a few isolated power outages, according to NWS Memphis.
What To Do
Before you head out, lock down anything the wind can grab. Secure loose outdoor items, pull potted plants inside and give extra room to high-profile vehicles on exposed roads and bridges.
On the home front, wrap or insulate exposed outdoor pipes and disconnect garden hoses where you can. Even a few hours below freezing can damage tender plants and uninsulated plumbing. If you rely on electricity for medical equipment or heating, make sure you have a backup plan ready and report any downed lines to your utility right away.
Looking Ahead
The cold snap does not stick around for long. Temperatures rebound quickly later in the week, with highs near 62°F on Wednesday, March 18. Readings then climb into the 70s on Thursday and reach the upper 70s to low 80s by Friday and Saturday, topping out near 83°F on Saturday, March 21. In other words, weekend plans will feel wildly different from Monday’s chill.
For the latest forecast details and any changes to advisories, check the National Weather Service in Memphis at NWS Memphis.
