Tennessee – Headlights blur through thick fog as tires crunch across frozen pavement. Across the Mid-South, winter’s grip tightens this morning, turning routine drives into risky decisions and forcing many to stay put.
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, dangerous travel conditions persist across western Tennessee, north Mississippi, and eastern Arkansas due to lingering ice and sub-freezing temperatures. Roads remain coated with snow, sleet, and solid ice, especially on secondary routes where travel is nearly impossible.
In Memphis, temperatures sit in the low 20s, with dense freezing fog reducing visibility at times. Even treated roads remain hazardous as daytime melting refreezes quickly after sunset. This process creates widespread black ice, nearly invisible but extremely slippery, particularly on bridges, overpasses, and shaded streets.
Officials urge residents to avoid all non-essential travel. If driving is unavoidable, keep headlights on, slow speeds significantly, and carry emergency supplies including food, water, and a flashlight. Power outages remain a concern as cold air strains infrastructure across the region.
A slight improvement arrives later today as clouds thin and temperatures slowly rise into the mid-30s. However, another cold drop follows tonight, allowing refreeze conditions to continue into Thursday morning. A light wintry mix remains possible late Thursday night, adding another layer of concern for untreated roads.
This prolonged winter event reflects a broader Arctic pattern gripping the central and eastern U.S. The Great Lakes are nearly 50 percent frozen, reinforcing cold air flow into the Tennessee Valley and Mid-South.
Conditions gradually improve heading into the weekend, but winter hazards linger for now. Check on neighbors, especially the elderly, and conserve heat indoors.
Five-Day Outlook for Memphis, Tennessee
Today: Mostly cloudy, high near 34
Tonight: Patchy dense fog, low near 19
Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 41
Friday: Mostly sunny, colder, high near 28
Saturday: Sunny, high near 21
