Located along the Mississippi River in Shelby County, Tennessee, Memphis is the second-largest city in Tennessee and a gem of the Mid-South. Known for its role in the civil rights movement and its major music scene, Memphis can also be appreciated for its art, entertainment, and great weather.
If you’re considering moving to Memphis, you’re probably curious: what is the weather like in Memphis? Memphis has a humid subtropical climate that experiences four seasons. Thanks to its location, Memphis weather is influenced by the Gulf of Mexico with drastically changing weather coming from the Great Plains or Texas.
Here’s what you can expect with the Memphis climate by month and by season and the average temperature in Memphis by month.
Memphis Climate by Season
Memphis Spring Weather
Spring in Memphis starts in March and ends in May. Spring is the wettest season in Memphis with an average of 25 rainy days during the three months. This is also the season with the most extreme weather. The average Memphis spring temperature is 44°F to 64°F in March and up to 81°F in May.
Memphis weather is often ideal in spring with temperatures in the 60s, blooming azaleas, and tons of things to see and do outdoors. Popular spring events include the Southern Hot Wing Festival, the Overton Square Crawfish Festival, and Memphis Redbirds games.
Memphis Summer Weather
Summer in Memphis starts in June and ends in August. The Memphis climate in the summer is hot, sunny, and muggy, although the humidity isn’t as bad in the summer as it is in the fall. When summer weather comes from the Gulf, it’s very humid and hot, but it’s less humid and hotter when it comes from Texas. The average daily temperature in July is 83°F. You’ll experience frequent thunderstorms in the summer while living in Memphis but they’re usually brief.
During the summer, enjoy warm days at Overton Park, catch live music at the Orion Free Music Concert Series, or go paddle boarding and canoeing at Shelby Farms.
Memphis Fall Weather
Fall in Memphis starts in September and ends in November. The weather at the start of autumn is pleasantly mild and tends to be dry, but the weather is often hot through October. Toward the end of autumn, Memphis gets cooler and rainy. Starting in November, rainfall begins to pick up again. The average Memphis fall temperature is 53.8°F to a high of 85°F.
Fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with pleasant Memphis weather. There are frequent events like the Mid-South Renaissance Faire at Shelby Farms, pop-up performances during 30 Days of Opera, and Zoo Brew, a major beer tasting event at the Memphis Zoo.
Memphis Winter Weather
Winter in Memphis starts in December and ends in February. Winter in Memphis, TN is usually wet and cool to chilly. The average Memphis winter temperature is 41°F. You may experience sporadic snow in Memphis with up to 4 inches over the season. During the winter, weather can come from the Gulf or the Great Plains and lead to drastic changes in temperature and precipitation. How cold does it get in Memphis? The average high in January is 49.8°F with an average low of 32.5°F.
Despite the chill in the area, the Memphis climate still allows you to enjoy the outdoors in the winter. Popular things to do include the Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees, Christmas at Graceland, the Memphis Zoo Lights, and the legendary Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
Memphis Weather by Month
January
January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 32°F to 50°F. You might even see snow in Memphis in January with an average of two inches during the month.
February
The average temperature in February is 36°F to 55°F as winter comes to an end and the temperature starts to increase.
March
March marks the beginning of the Memphis rainy season and the start of spring. The average temperature in March in Memphis is 44°F to 64°F with 9 rainy days on average.
April
April is a rainy but somewhat cool month with 8 average days of rain, an average low of 53°F, and an average high of 73°F. Thunderstorms are common during April.
May
May is a month that sees the temperature rising. There are about 8 days of rain on average with temperatures ranging from a low of 62°F to a high of 81°F.
June
In June, the average temperature in Memphis ranges from a low of 70°F to a high of 89°F. June is a popular time for visiting Memphis, especially toward the beginning of the month before temperatures peak.
July
July is the hottest month and the muggiest. The average July temperature in Memphis is a high of 92°F and a low of 74°F. The heat and humidity can be intense in July.
August
You’ll experience an average August high of 91°F in Memphis. August marks the end of summer and temperatures remain high, but it starts to cool off toward the end of the month.
September
September has an average low of 66°F and an average high of 85°F. This is one of the best times to visit Memphis with comfortable temperatures and little rainfall.
October
The average temperature in October is 54°F to 75°F. This is a pleasant month without extreme heat or humidity and only 4” of rain on average.
November
The average temperature in November is 43°F to 62°F. November tends to be rainy with 7 average days of rain.
December
December in Memphis is 36°F to 53°F on average with 8 days of rain. December isn’t just chilly; it’s also a wet month with an average of 5.74” of precipitation. It rarely gets cold enough for snow, but rain is common.
Memphis Climate Stats
- Number of sunny days in Memphis: 218
- Annual rainfall in Memphis: 53.69”
- Number of rainy days per year: 108 days
- Annual snowfall in Memphis: 3.9”
Extreme Weather in Memphis – Tornadoes & Thunderstorms
Extreme weather in the Memphis area includes thunderstorms and tornadoes. Memphis experiences fairly frequent thunderstorms, particularly during the spring. While they are usually brief, winds can be strong enough to knock down trees and there may be damaging hail. June is the most active month for damaging winds in Memphis with most high-wind events occurring between March and July. This is the same time when thunderstorms are most frequent.
Memphis is also prone to tornadoes with about 14 per year on average. Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the spring between March and May. About half of tornadoes that have struck the Memphis area have been weak, 44% have been strong, and just 4% have been violent, according to the National Weather Service.
- Coldest month: January with an average low of 32.5°F
- Hottest month: July with an average high of 92°F
- Wettest month: December with an average of 10 rainy days and 5.74” of precipitation
- Snowiest month: January with 2” on average
- Most humid month: September with an average relative humidity of 71%
- Memphis record high temperature: 108°F on July 13, 1980
- Memphis record low temperature: -13°F on December 24, 1963
- Memphis record snowfall: 14.3” on December 22, 1963
Best Time to Visit Memphis
Want to enjoy Memphis at its best? The best time to visit Memphis is late April to mid-June or late August to mid-October to enjoy the most pleasant temperatures between 65° and 80°F with minimal rain. You’ll also enjoy the most outdoor activities and attractions during early summer and early fall.
June to September is the peak tourist season for Memphis, but your clothes will be stuck to your skin and you’ll be driving with the air conditioner cranked to max on your way to events like Elvis Week and the Mid-South Fair. If you go before peak season, or April to May, you’ll enjoy the best Memphis weather available and popular festivals like the Beale Street Music Festival. Between October and November, you’ll enjoy a dry, sunny climate but be aware that the weather can change quickly.
If you aren’t deterred by muggy, hot summers, Memphis has so much to offer. The city doesn’t have much in the way of extreme weather and, aside from the intense heat and/or humidity in the summer, it boasts very pleasant weather. You’ll have no trouble taking advantage of all of the Memphis attractions, including its beautiful parks. When you have settled on the right Memphis neighborhood, call Big League Movers to help you get there.