Memphis is waking up to a warm, sticky Memorial Day morning, with mostly cloudy skies, patchy fog, and temperatures hovering near 70°F. That combo is primed to slow down the commute and fuel scattered downpours later. The fog should lift after sunrise, but there is about a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, with the high topping out near 82°F. Winds will stay light out of the northeast, which means any storms that do pop up will move slowly and can dump heavy rain in short bursts. If you are banking on outdoor plans, keep them flexible and be ready for localized ponding on low-lying roads.
Morning Fog And Slow Commutes
Patchy fog is most likely before 7 a.m., especially along the river and in low-lying neighborhoods, and visibility could drop fast on bridges and back streets. The National Weather Service in Memphis is calling for about a 50% chance of afternoon showers, with most spots seeing less than a tenth of an inch of new rain. Still, any slow-moving cell can briefly pour much harder. Drivers are urged to take it easy, build in extra time, and remember that those sudden, slow, heavy showers can cut visibility and traction in a hurry.
Storm Chances Through The Week
Forecasters expect daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms to linger through the week, with highs near 83°F on Tuesday and climbing into the mid to upper 80s by midweek. The office discussion from the National Weather Service notes that while widespread severe wind or hail is not anticipated, the moist, sluggish pattern favors what they call "localized rainfall". Translation: pockets of heavy rain and possible flash flooding where storms decide to sit for a while. If you have events lined up later this week, plan for delays and keep an eye on radar or weather alerts before you head out.
