An expansive stratus deck brought MVFR ceiling impacts to Memphis International Airport through early Friday afternoon, ahead of a sharp weekend cool-down settling across the Mid-South. Temperatures are forecast to reach the mid 60s this afternoon, with a north wind of 5 to 10 mph, the latest National Weather Service forecast says.
Rain is not expected Friday, and skies should stay mostly clear tonight with a low in the upper 30s, according to the latest forecast. The early breeze may feel brisk, but forecast winds are expected to run around 5 to 10 mph through the day.
Weekend Brings Cooler Air And Crisp Nights
Saturday will be mostly sunny but noticeably cooler, with a high near 57 degrees and a low around 36 Saturday night. Sunday rebounds to a sunny high near 62, though the morning could start decidedly cold.
Portions of West Tennessee, northeast Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel and north Mississippi have a 50% to 70% chance of seeing freezing temperatures Sunday morning. Memphis itself is forecast to remain above freezing, but gardeners and anyone with sensitive plants should keep the chilly start in mind.
NWS Memphis defines frost as a low of 36 degrees or below and a freeze as 32 degrees or below, so frost can occur even when temperatures stay above freezing. Its frost and freeze records run through 2020.
Warmer And Mostly Dry Weather Returns Next Week
Temperatures will moderate quickly Monday, when sunny skies and a calm wind push the high near 66 degrees. Tuesday should be mostly sunny with a high near 67, followed by a mild Veterans Day with temperatures reaching about 69.
The weekend chill follows a reinforcing cold front, while high pressure over the Mid-South is expected to bring gradual warming toward 70 degrees next week. The outlook remains mostly dry not because showers are impossible, but because forecasters expect limited moisture to keep widespread rainfall from developing. The Memphis forecast discussion describes that pattern and its limits.
Mostly dry conditions are expected through next week, although there could be a slight chance of rain showers late Wednesday night. No weather advisories are currently in effect for the Memphis area.
