Tennessee wakes under a bright December sun this morning as Memphis drivers feel a soft southwest breeze sweep across open lots and city streets. The air stays comfortable for mid-December, and clear skies let sunlight warm rooftops and wet morning pavement. It’s a gentle start, but a sharper winter edge builds for the second half of the weekend.
Memphis climbs toward the upper 50s today, giving residents one more mild stretch before a cold snap forms to the north. Winds turn north later, a shift that often signals the start of cooler, drier air pushing into the Mid-South. Meteorologists now track a broader national pattern—arctic air drops across the Plains and Midwest—nudging colder conditions toward the Mississippi River by late weekend.
Saturday stays pleasant with highs near 49°F and only thin cloud layers drifting in. Travel remains smooth along I-240 and I-55, though temperatures fall quickly after sundown. To be fair, this transition is typical for December across the Mid-South, but the drop may still catch early holiday shoppers off guard.
By Sunday, winter asserts itself. Highs reach only the upper 20s, and north winds gusting near 25 mph make the air feel even crisper. Evening temperatures sink into the mid-teens, setting up one of the coldest nights of December so far. Anyone heading out before sunrise Monday should prepare for biting wind chills and frosty windshields.
Plan extra layers for Sunday errands, especially if walking between parking lots downtown or in East Memphis. Keep pets indoors and protect outdoor pipes before the deeper cold settles in.
How cold did it feel in your neighborhood during the early commute today?
Five-Day Outlook for Memphis, TN
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 49°F.
- Saturday Night: Becoming clear, low 20°F.
- Sunday: Sunny, high 28°F.
- Sunday Night: Clear, low 16°F.
- Monday: Sunny, high 37°F.
