Memphis, TN – A biting chill is setting into the Mid-South this morning, and by Thursday night, freezing rain may glaze parts of the Memphis metro area. The still, gray air and damp pavement hint at what’s coming — a classic early-December mix of rain and cold capable of creating slick bridges and icy patches across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, clouds will thicken through Thursday with temperatures peaking near 40°F, then dropping close to freezing by evening. Light rain is expected to develop by 8 p.m., and as temperatures hover near 32°F, a brief period of freezing rain could occur before tapering off Friday morning. No major accumulation is expected, but even light ice can create dangerous travel conditions.
Residents across Shelby County and DeSoto County should use caution on I-40, I-55, and elevated roadways early Friday, where surface temperatures may lag behind air readings. Winds from the north will keep the chill steady through the end of the week before a milder weekend returns.
By Saturday, sunshine will rebound with highs in the upper 40s, climbing to near 50°F Sunday. The longer-term trend stays seasonable, but forecasters say more moisture could move in early next week as the first full week of December unfolds.
Five-Day Outlook for Memphis, TN:
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high 40°F.
- Thursday Night: Freezing rain possible, low 32°F.
- Friday: Slight chance of showers, high 44°F.
- Saturday: Partly sunny, high 49°F.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, high 50°F.
