Memphis woke up on the brisk side Thursday, with mostly clear skies and temperatures stuck in the upper 30s to low 40s. A northerly wind is putting some extra sting in the air, but sunshine should do its part later, nudging afternoon highs to about 56°F.
Showers that rolled through Wednesday night have moved on, and dry weather is expected to hold through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Memphis. Forecasters are calling for north winds of 5–15 mph today with early gusts around 25–30 mph, then a steady warm-up with highs in the mid-60s by Friday and the 70s by Saturday. That same strong high pressure building in behind the front could flip the script again, with freezing temperatures possible Monday morning north of I‑40 and an areawide freeze likely Tuesday morning.
Afternoon Winds And Commute
Those brisk north winds this morning may gust up to 30 mph, enough to rattle loose lawn furniture and give drivers of high-profile vehicles a less-than-fun commute. If you have early outdoor plans or need to cross bridges, it is worth allowing a few extra minutes as gusts gradually ease through mid-morning. By midday, winds should settle back to around 5–10 mph under sunny skies, making the afternoon feel a bit more comfortable.
Weekend Outlook
By Friday and Saturday it starts to feel more like spring again, with highs jumping into the mid-60s to mid-70s. A southerly return flow will pull in muggy air and bring back a chance of showers and thunderstorms late Sunday. According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, the chance of storms sits around 40%, with gusts as high as 35 mph and the potential for brief heavy downpours, so it is wise to have a backup plan for any outdoor events.
Colder Start To Next Week
Once Sunday’s front passes, temperatures are expected to tumble again: some spots north of I‑40 could see a freeze Monday morning, and much of the area may wake up to freezing temperatures Tuesday, so tender plants should be covered. This follows our recent coverage of stormy mid-week weather; see how morning storms targeted the Wednesday rush hour for background on the unsettled setup. Residents with outdoor plans late Sunday into Monday should keep an eye on updates as the exact timing and intensity of the cold snap and any lingering showers could still change.
