Memphis woke up to clear skies and thick, muggy air this morning, with temperatures sitting in the mid-70s at the airport and a bright, blue-sky day on tap. The forecast calls for a high near 89F with a light north wind around 5 to 10 mph, which should feel decent for morning errands but sticky enough in the afternoon to have you hunting for shade and air conditioning.
Afternoon Storms Likely Tuesday
According to the National Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms become more likely after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, with forecasters putting the chance near 60%. Heavy downpours capable of producing quick ponding and isolated flooding are possible Tuesday night, with some spots potentially seeing between a half-inch and three-quarters of an inch of rain. If your plans involve being outside later in the day, you will want to track updates as the storms develop.
What This Means For Plans
If you have outdoor plans Tuesday afternoon or evening, try to move them earlier in the day or have an indoor backup ready. Brief but intense storms can wash out ball games, cookouts, and patio meetups, and they can slow the commute too. Drivers should leave extra time and watch for quickly ponding water on low-lying streets and in parking lots during the heaviest downpours. A light rain jacket or umbrella by the door and a quick check of conditions before heading out could save you a headache.
Cooling Help For Vulnerable Residents
With hotter, drier weather expected later in the week, cooling centers remain a key lifeline for residents without reliable air conditioning. The Hospitality Hub at 590 Washington Ave runs emergency cooling operations and can connect people to services and MATA ride options. Check their site for current hours and transportation details. If you or someone you know needs help staying cool, reach out to the Hub or local support lines early in the afternoon to line up a safe place to ride out the heat.
Week Ahead
Rain chances should taper off late in the week as an upper-level ridge builds, but temperatures are set to rebound. Highs are expected to climb into the low 90s by Thursday and could reach the mid 90s over the weekend. That pattern brings back higher heat-index values, so plan for sticky afternoons and not much overnight relief. We will post updates if any watches or warnings are issued.
