Memphis woke up Wednesday to clear, sticky air, with early-morning temperatures already in the upper 70s and dew points that made it feel more like a sauna than a sunrise. The National Weather Service has a Heat Advisory in effect through 8:00 p.m. CDT on Friday, July 3, warning that heat index values across the Mid-South could climb into the 105 to 111 degree range.
Afternoon Sizzle, Slim Shot at Storms
Afternoons will be the main event, with highs near 96 degrees each day and humidity pushing the feels-like readings well into the upper 100s. For today, the forecast calls for a high near 96 with the heat index topping out between 109 and 111 degrees. Winds stay light at about 0 to 5 mph, so there is not much breeze to bail anyone out.
Only scattered afternoon showers or storms are on the table, and most spots will stay dry. Any stronger pop-up storm that does form could bring a quick burst of heavy rain and gusty, potentially damaging winds. These conditions and the advisory timing come from the National Weather Service in Memphis.
How To Handle The Heat
Health officials are urging people to avoid long stretches of hard work or exercise outside during the hottest part of the day and to shift tough outdoor tasks to morning or evening when possible. Overnight lows are expected to linger in the mid-to-upper 70s, so there will not be much of a break after sunset.
The National Weather Service advises, "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors." If you have to be outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade or in air-conditioning, and make sure pets stay cool with plenty of water.
Local Cooling Options
For those who need a place to cool off, the Hospitality Hub downtown is open as a cooling center at 590 Washington Avenue. MATA can provide transportation there by request; call 901-486-0939 during cooling-center hours. For background and other details see Memphis turns into a pressure cooker.
