Memphis woke up to a heavy, muggy air blanket on Thursday morning, July 9, 2026, with mostly cloudy skies, temperatures in the mid‑70s, and humidity doing its best to turn the city into a steam room. By this afternoon, readings are expected to climb into the low 90s, with scattered showers and thunderstorms popping up at times. Any stronger storm could pack brief heavy downpours and gusty winds. The heat will hang on into the weekend, with feels‑like readings well over 100F in many neighborhoods.
Cooling Centers And Safety Tips
For those needing a reliable break from the heat, the Hospitality Hub downtown at 590 Washington Avenue is opening as a public cooling center, with MATA rides available and sack meals while supplies last, according to Action News 5. Officials advise checking with providers ahead of time for hours and transportation details before heading out.
Today And Through The Weekend
Highs should top out near 93F with southwest winds around 5 to 10 mph and about a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms through the afternoon. The National Weather Service highlights the late morning into the afternoon as the prime window for heavier storms. Heat index values could spike to around 105 to 106F in parts of the metro, and a few tenths of an inch of rainfall is possible in spots with stronger storms. Localized flash flooding and damaging wind gusts remain the main concerns.
A Flood Watch is in effect from Thursday afternoon through late Saturday night for parts of the Mid‑South, with forecasters urging residents to monitor local warnings and be ready for multiple rounds of storms, according to NWS Memphis.
Plan Ahead
Officials suggest planning outdoor work and errands for the morning hours, carrying water, and staying alert for quick changes in conditions during peak afternoon heat. Avoid leaving children or pets in parked cars under any circumstances, and expect the afternoon commute to take a hit when downpours flare up, as heavy rain can slow traffic and create ponding in low‑lying areas.
For more background on the ongoing heat surge and earlier storm threats, see our previous coverage of the earlier brutal heat stretch.
