Memphis is waking up to a summer preview at Memphis International Airport early Wednesday, April 15, with mostly clear skies, temperatures hovering near 70°F, and a south-southwest breeze already in play. Skies should stay mostly sunny into the afternoon, and the high is expected to top out near 86°F, a level more in line with late May or even early June than mid-April.
Afternoon Heat and Gusty Winds
Those warm readings will ride in on a solid south-southwest wind today, running about 10–15 mph with gusts that could jump into the 30–35 mph range from late morning into the early afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, a tightened pressure gradient will keep it breezy through the day and could briefly crank up stronger gusts right around midday.
Thursday Storms
Things get more interesting on Thursday, April 16, as a shortwave trough moves through and ramps up the chance for showers and thunderstorms across the Mid-South by afternoon and early evening. Forecasters have medium confidence that a few cells could turn strong to severe, especially along and north of I‑40, with damaging wind and hail as the main concerns. If your Thursday night plans involve patios, ballfields, or backyard grilling, it is smart to have an indoor backup ready and to stay on top of updated local forecasts.
Weekend Cool-Down
Friday, April 17, keeps the early-summer vibe going, with many neighborhoods likely climbing into the upper 80s before a cold front arrives Saturday, April 18, carrying another round of showers and storms. Behind that front, a much cooler air mass settles in Saturday night into Sunday, April 19, dropping highs to around 69°F and allowing some spots to slip into the 40s overnight, a sharp swing from the midweek warmth.
Dry Ground, Little Relief
Even with two shots at rain, neither Thursday’s system nor Saturday’s front is expected to deliver enough water to erase the spring rainfall deficit around the region, so many yards and fields will stay on the dry side. The U.S. Drought Monitor via Drought.gov continues to show moderate to severe drought across much of Tennessee, which means any rain that does fall will be welcome, just not a drought-buster.
Plan Ahead
If you are scheduling outdoor events, try to steer clear of the prime storm windows on Thursday afternoon and Saturday. Tie down or move lightweight lawn furniture before the gusty winds arrive, and keep pets and people hydrated during the warmest afternoon hours. Stay tuned to local forecasts and be ready to pull the plug on outdoor plans and head inside if storms start to move in.
