Memphis is waking up under cloudy skies Wednesday, but Veterans Day will turn warm and mostly sunny, with temperatures climbing toward 73 degrees. The brief taste of summer will not last: a cold front arrives late Wednesday, setting up a sharp drop into chilly nights and a possible freeze by Saturday morning.
Warm Veterans Day Gives Way To Stronger Winds
Southwest winds will increase to around 5 to 15 mph during the afternoon, while most of Memphis stays dry with only a small chance of rain. The National Weather Service says an isolated strong thunderstorm could develop late Wednesday afternoon or evening, mainly north and east of the city, with damaging winds and large hail the main concerns.
The front will clear the area Wednesday night, leaving mostly clear skies and a low near 48 degrees. Thursday will be sunny but cooler, topping out near 61 with northwest winds, followed by a colder Friday with a high around 53.
Freeze Threat Builds For The Weekend
Friday night could fall to around 32 degrees in Memphis, while parts of West Tennessee and northern Mississippi may see a hard freeze Saturday morning, with some spots dropping into the mid- to upper 20s. Gardeners should protect sensitive plants before Friday evening, and anyone heading out early Saturday should expect a decidedly colder start.
The colder stretch will remain mostly dry and bright through the weekend, with a sunny high near 57 Saturday and a mostly sunny high near 56 Sunday. A slight chance of rain showers returns Sunday night, while temperatures begin a gradual climb toward the upper 50s by Tuesday.
The freeze setup is a sharper turn from Hoodline's earlier forecast, which focused on the midweek warmup and approaching cold front. There are currently no watches, warnings or advisories listed for the Memphis area.
