Memphis is waking up warm, wet, and ready to steam. It was a clear and muggy start at Memphis International Airport, about 77°F with dewpoints in the low 70s, setting the stage for a hot, sticky Thursday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected today, June 18, with the most widespread activity lining up with the early to mid-afternoon commute. Brief heavy downpours and gusty winds could slow traffic and put a damper on outdoor Juneteenth preparations.
Afternoon Storm Window
Rain showers are possible before 10 a.m. Thursday, June 18, with storms becoming more likely from about 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and the peak window centered near 2–3 p.m. The high should top out around 89°F, then dip into the mid-80s once storms move through. Forecasters at the National Weather Service Memphis are calling for roughly a 60–65% chance of precipitation today and caution that any stronger cells could bring brief heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts.
Commute And Juneteenth Plans
If you have outdoor plans or Juneteenth events on Friday, expect soggy grounds and slower roads in spots, as many organizers keep a close eye on today’s storms. Our earlier preview flagged the same late-week trend; see that “weather whiplash” outlook for background on the pattern shift. Keep a rain plan in your back pocket and move any weather-sensitive activities earlier in the day where you can.
Tonight And Weekend
Showers and thunderstorms remain likely into the early evening and again overnight, with a low near 71°F and additional light rain possible before 9 p.m. Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth), looks noticeably drier with mostly sunny skies and a high near 86°F, though there is still a slight chance of a shower in the late morning.
The unsettled pattern is expected to return over the weekend. Saturday brings another round of storms with locally higher rainfall totals, on the order of about a quarter to a half inch possible. Sunday could turn breezier with repeated storm chances cycling through the area.
Check the radar before you head out and keep a compact umbrella handy this afternoon. If conditions start to go downhill, follow the National Weather Service Memphis forecast page for the latest updates and any advisories.
