If you’ve lived in Memphis for more than five minutes, you know the drill. One day you’re walking down Beale Street in a light hoodie, and the next, you’re wondering if the Mississippi River is about to freeze solid. It’s a wild ride. Honestly, anyone trying to pin down a memphis five day forecast is basically playing a high-stakes game of weather roulette, but this week, the numbers are looking pretty specific.
We aren't talking about that mild, "porch-sitting" weather the tourism boards love to brag about right now.
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The Immediate Outlook: Getting Through The Big Chill
Let’s look at the actual data. Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, started off with a bite. The current temperature is sitting right around 33°F, but it feels like 28°F thanks to a 6 mph breeze coming out of the southwest. It’s sunny, sure, but don't let that bright sky fool you. You'll need the heavy coat if you’re heading out to Overton Park.
The high for today is only hitting 34°F. That’s it.
Tonight? It drops to a bone-chilling 18°F. When the mercury hits the teens in the Mid-South, things get real. Pipes start sweating, and those outdoor cats definitely need a warm spot. The wind will be shifting to the west at about 8 mph.
Breaking Down the Next Few Days
Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, isn’t bringing much of a reprieve. We’re looking at a high of 35°F and a low of 23°F. It’s going to be mostly cloudy, and there is a tiny 10% chance of some snow flurries. Probably not enough to shut down the schools—though Memphis has been known to panic over a single snowflake—but enough to make your morning commute feel a bit more "winter wonderland" than most of us are ready for.
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- Tuesday, January 20: The sun returns. High of 44°F, low of 22°F.
- Wednesday, January 21: We finally start to see some "warmth." High of 47°F, but the humidity jumps to 70%.
- Thursday, January 22: We top out near 48°F. Expect some clouds.
Why Memphis Weather Is So Moody
You ever wonder why it feels like the weather here has a personal vendetta against your weekend plans? Basically, we’re stuck in a geographic tug-of-war. We get that warm, wet air shoving its way up from the Gulf of Mexico, which then slams into the cold, dry air screaming down from the Great Plains.
National Weather Service experts often point out that January is our coldest month for a reason. While our "normal" highs should be in the lower 50s, this week is leaning significantly below that. We’re talking a 50-60% chance of below-normal temperatures through the middle of the week.
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The Humidity Factor
Let’s talk about that Wednesday humidity. 70%. In the summer, that’s a "it’s so soup-like you can’t breathe" situation. In January? It means that 47°F is going to feel a lot more damp and "deep-into-your-bones" cold than a dry 40 degrees would. It’s that Memphis dampness that makes you want to stay inside with a bowl of Central BBQ chili.
Actionable Tips for This Week
- Drip those faucets. Since we are hitting 18°F tonight and 22°F on Tuesday, don't risk a burst pipe. A slow drip on the furthest faucet from your water main is the classic move.
- Layer, don't just bulk. Wear a moisture-wicking base layer on Wednesday when the humidity rises. You’ll stay warmer than if you just throw on one massive sweater.
- Check your tires. Cold snaps like this cause tire pressure to drop faster than a blues guitar riff. If your "low pressure" light comes on Monday morning, it’s probably just the cold air, but go ahead and top them off.
- Pet safety. If it’s too cold for you to stand outside in a t-shirt for ten minutes, it’s probably too cold for your dog to be out all night. Bring 'em in.
This memphis five day forecast shows a slow climb out of the freezer, but we aren't out of the woods yet. By Thursday, we’ll be approaching 50 degrees again, which will feel like a tropical vacation after this Sunday chill. Stay warm, keep the coffee brewing, and maybe avoid the bridge if those Monday flurries actually show up.