Weather and climate in Memphis (Tennessee)

The climate of Memphis, the second largest city in Tennessee, is temperate, with relatively cold winters and hot, muggy summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in the southern United States, at the 35th parallel, on the banks of the Mississippi River.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.6 °C (42.1 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 28.2 °C (82.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,395 millimeters (54.9 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 75 mm (3 in) in the driest month (September) to 150 mm (5.9 in) in the wettest (April). We are in a rainy area due to the collision between the humid air masses coming from the Gulf of Mexico and the colder ones coming from the north. Here is the average precipitation.

The winter, from December to February, is quite cold, however, different situations arise. There are mild periods, in which subtropical air masses prevail, and the temperature can even exceed 20 °C (68 °F).
On the other hand, there can be intense cold waves, during which the temperature can drop to -11/-12 °C (10/12 °F) or even below.
The record is -25 °C (-13 °F), recorded in December 1963. In January 1985, the temperature dropped to -20 °C (-4 °F), while in February 2021 it dropped to -17 °C (1.5 °F).
Snow occurs every year or so, even though you have to wait several years to see a heavy snowfall. On average, 7 centimeters (2.5 inches) of snow fall per year. The most abundant snowfall in one day was 36 cm (14 in), in December 1963.
Sometimes the dangerous phenomenon of freezing rain can also occur.

The summer, from June to August, is hot and muggy, with an often unpleasant combination of temperature and humidity. The sun shines quite often, although cloud coverings can form, which can produce thunderstorms.
Memphis is a particularly hot city. There are long periods with temperatures of 36/37 °C (97/99 °F), sometimes even in September. The record is 41.5 °C (107 °F), recorded in July 1980 and August 2000.

In spring and autumn, from March to May and from September to November, the weather is variable. The rains are quite frequent, although there can be rainless periods of a week. However, spring is rainier than autumn. At times, due to particularly heavy rains, the Mississippi can overflow, flooding certain areas of the city.
In March and November, there can be cold air outbreaks, while in April and October they are rare. In May and September, there can be hot periods, with summer-like temperatures.
In spring, and more rarely in autumn, tornadoes can form.



On average, there are around 2,890 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

It is difficult to find a certainly favorable period in Memphis. Summer is the driest season, but it is very hot and muggy. During the rest of the year, severe thunderstorms and heavy rains are possible. In winter, cold spells are possible.
You can therefore choose the months of April and October, with a preference for the second, and also the beginning of November, being a quieter and less rainy period.

Memphis - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 0.7 °C (33.3 °F) and a maximum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (16 °F). However, it dropped to -13.9 °C (7 °F) in January 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -15.6 °C (3.9 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in February 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.3 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.4 °C (15.1 °F) in March 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).

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April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.3 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.7 °C (53 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in April 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in April 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 150 mm (5.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F) and a maximum of 27.6 °C (81.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) in May 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in May 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 26.6 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 21.3 °C (70.4 °F) and a maximum of 31.9 °C (89.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in June 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.1 °C (73.6 °F) and a maximum of 33.3 °C (91.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) in July 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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August is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 22.6 °C (72.6 °F) and a maximum of 33.1 °C (91.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it dropped to 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in August 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) in August 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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September is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.4 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 18.8 °C (65.9 °F) and a maximum of 30 °C (86 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) in September 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in September 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.1 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 23.9 °C (75.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6.1 °C (42.9 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in November 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.1 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 2.3 °C (36.2 °F) and a maximum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11.1 °C (12 °F) in December 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).