Memphis is waking up under mostly cloudy skies, temperatures in the low 70s, and that familiar sticky humidity that makes the front porch feel like a sauna. The tradeoff is worth it today, though: it will be noticeably cooler and calmer than the recent heat, with highs topping out in the upper 80s on a light northwest breeze. Any showers that sneak through should be brief and isolated, mainly east of the core metro along the Tennessee River.
Afternoon Outlook
This afternoon looks partly to mostly sunny, with a high near 87°F and northwest winds around 5 to 10 mph. Forecasters expect little in the way of rain, with most spots seeing new totals under a tenth of an inch. Widespread wet weather is not on the menu, although a quick localized downpour is still possible, according to the National Weather Service.
Morning Clouds, Brief Flight Impacts
The National Weather Service notes that an MVFR cloud deck is possible around sunrise at area airports, but those ceilings should lift above VFR by late morning. Any early flight delays are expected to be limited. A few afternoon showers or storms could bubble up near MKL or TUP, but overall instability and the threat of anything severe stay low, per the National Weather Service.
Midweek Rain Risk
Tuesday and Wednesday bring a different vibe. Current guidance puts Tuesday afternoon’s chance of showers and thunderstorms near 50 percent, with heavier downpours possible where storms linger. Increasing Gulf moisture will boost the risk of localized heavy rainfall and brief flash flooding in spots, so anyone with outdoor plans Tuesday or Wednesday should keep an eye on updates, according to the National Weather Service.
Late-Week Heat Returns
After the midweek storms, the heat starts creeping back. Highs climb into the low to mid 90s by Friday and Saturday, with guidance pointing to around 93°F Friday and 94°F Saturday. A return to hotter, more humid conditions could trigger Heat Advisories by the weekend if current trends hold, so it is worth planning ahead and checking forecasts before long stretches outside, per the National Weather Service.
Plan Ahead
For today, keep water handy while you are out running errands, stash an umbrella in the car for a stray downpour, and allow extra travel time this evening if you live east of the river. Looking ahead to the hotter days later this week, local spots such as the Hospitality Hub and the Frayser–Raleigh Senior Center have hosted cooling services during recent heat events, which can be a lifeline when the mercury spikes.
