Tennessee Weather Alert: Memphis Hits 29°, Rain Thursday Could Cause Slick Roads

This morning, the moonlight shines off icy windshields in Memphis, which is experiencing a cold December. The cold sets in early, leading to a soggy week that concludes with a quieter weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures dipped to around 29 degrees early, causing a freeze throughout the city. Drivers should be alert for slick places on bridges and shaded highways. Allow for more braking space and slow down during the morning journey.

Today’s skies remain sunny, allowing temperatures to reach the low 50s. That warmth improves conditions immediately, but it also raises a common winter problem. Melted frost might refreeze as temperatures drop again.

Clouds will thicken tonight as milder air arrives. Wednesday provides a marked difference, with highs reaching the mid-50s. A few light showers are expected in the late morning or afternoon. Roads may become moist, particularly during peak driving periods.

The main impact occurs on Thursday, December 18th. Showers become more widespread throughout the day, with rain likely in most neighborhoods. Winds kick up at times, and brief heavy rain may hamper visibility. Expect slower traffic on I-40, I-55, and major surface routes in the afternoon.

Colder air returns behind the showers Thursday night. Temperatures will plummet into the upper 20s by early Friday. Any remaining moisture may refreeze, increasing the risk of black ice before sunrise. This is a standard flash-freeze setup that drivers should not ignore.

Friday is sunny but cool, with highs in the mid-40s. The weekend appears quieter and brighter. Saturday and Sunday are largely sunny, with highs reaching 60 degrees, ideal for holiday shopping and early Christmas travel.

This warm-to-cold shift is an early indication of winter’s forming trend in the Mid-South. More changes are expected as December progresses.

Feeling the chill this morning or noticing slick areas on your commute? Please describe the conditions where you are.

5-Day Outlook—Memphis, Tennessee