Early Wednesday, April 1, started off mostly clear and mild in Memphis, with temperatures sitting near 68°F and a light south breeze. Forecasters are calling for a quick warm-up, with highs expected to reach near 86°F this afternoon under mostly sunny skies, well above what is typical for early April.
Afternoon Winds Crank Up
South-southwest winds are expected to ramp up to 10–15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph later Wednesday and into the evening, according to the National Weather Service in Memphis. Forecasters note that gusts could reach 30–35+ mph in exposed areas at times this week, so it is a good idea to secure loose patio furniture and other light outdoor items before midafternoon. A Wind Advisory was in effect Tuesday for parts of northeast Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel, and the gusty pattern will continue to affect the Mid-South even where formal advisories are not posted.
Stormy Stretch From Thursday Through Weekend
Showers and a chance of thunderstorms move back into the forecast on Thursday, April 2, with coverage and intensity increasing Friday and especially Saturday. Rain chances on Saturday climb to around 90%, and many spots are likely to see roughly 1–1.5 inches of rain through the weekend, so outdoor events will be dodging plenty of wet weather. For more on how this warm pattern set up, see this earlier breakdown.
Plan Ahead for Outdoor Events
If you have outdoor plans Friday or Saturday, it is wise to have a backup rain plan ready. Heavy downpours at times could cut visibility and cause brief ponding on low-lying streets. Behind the weekend front, temperatures tumble, with Sunday, April 5, expected to top out near 63°F and overnight lows dipping into the mid-40s, according to the National Weather Service in Memphis. Keep an eye on updates through the week, since timing and rainfall amounts could still shift.
