Memphis woke up on the crisp side Tuesday, May 12, 2026, with clear skies, light easterly breezes, and an early morning reading of about 55°F (13°C) at Memphis International. Sunshine will take it from there, nudging temperatures into the low 80s this afternoon for a warm, dry, and surprisingly comfortable day before the real heat shows up later in the week. If you have outdoor plans, today is the sweet spot before the humidity and higher temps muscle in.
Afternoon Outlook
Plenty of sun is on tap through the afternoon, with a high near 81°F and east winds around 0–5 mph, according to NWS Memphis. Hourly guidance shows a steady climb from the mid 50s this morning into the 70s by late morning, with a peak in the low 80s by mid afternoon. The bonus: low humidity will keep it feeling pleasantly warm instead of sticky and oppressive.
Weekend Warm-Up
The real warm-up kicks in late this week. Highs are projected to push toward 90°F by Friday and then hang in the upper 80s to around 90°F through the weekend. That is roughly 10°F above normal for mid May, a trend local outlets have been flagging in recent days. For a deeper look at how this pattern has been building and the timing of the heat, check out earlier local coverage on how Memphis sizzles into mid 80s.
Fire Weather
The dry air riding in with this pattern will push afternoon minimum relative humidity values generally below 40 percent and locally into the 30s on some afternoons, which edges conditions toward fire weather concerns for open burning and yard debris. Winds are expected to stay mostly under 10 mph, so widespread red flag warnings are not anticipated, but it is still smart to be careful with any outdoor burning and keep water or other extinguishing tools close by. Local agencies may issue additional guidance if things trend more hazardous.
Looking Ahead
Rain chances stay low through the weekend, then start to creep back in early next week. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms returns late Sunday night, with better odds for scattered storms on Monday as humidity and southerly winds increase. If you are planning anything outside for early next week, it is worth checking back on updated forecasts since the timing and coverage of any storms could shift. For the latest point forecasts and timeline details, follow updates from the National Weather Service and local outlets.
