Tennessee wakes under a sharp, cutting chill this morning as a dense veil of Arctic air presses south toward Memphis. The air bites at exposed skin, and the first hints of this cold surge settle over bridges and open stretches of I-40 and I-55. Pavement looks dry, but the crisp December wind makes each gust feel colder than the thermometer suggests—an early sign of the weekend plunge ahead.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service warn that wind chills will fall into the single digits to teens by Sunday morning, with areas along the Tennessee–Kentucky border dipping to 0° or below. These values will repeat Monday morning, creating two back-to-back bitter starts that can strain outdoor plumbing and threaten unprotected pets. Drivers should prepare for dangerously cold waits if stalled on major corridors, especially I-55 and the I-240 loop.
Temperatures will stay in the teens and 20s at daybreak Sunday and Monday. Models hint at a “winter tease” pattern that holds firm into early next week—dry skies, but air cold enough for flash-freeze potential in shaded areas where moisture lingers. After all, even a thin film of refrozen dew can create slick walkways before sunrise.
To stay ahead of the cold: wrap exposed pipes, bring animals inside, check vehicle antifreeze, and layer clothing before stepping outdoors. The cold’s sharpest impacts will hit between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday and Monday, when wind chills settle at their lowest.
