Weather in Memphis, Tennessee
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 11:06 AM
- Moonset
- 1:22 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Memphis at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 18 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Memphis its warmest temperatures at around 83°F mean, while January delivers the coldest at roughly 42°F. Rain follows its own calendar, peaking at 5.9 inches in April and dropping to just 3.0 inches in September.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 4.1″ | 6 |
| February | 46° | 4.5″ | 7 |
| March | 54° | 5.7″ | 8 |
| April | 63° | 5.9″ | 7 |
| May | 72° | 5.3″ | 7 |
| June | 80° | 4.0″ | 6 |
| July | 83° | 4.8″ | 6 |
| August | 82° | 3.4″ | 5 |
| September | 76° | 3.0″ | 4 |
| October | 65° | 4.0″ | 5 |
| November | 53° | 4.7″ | 6 |
| December | 45° | 5.5″ | 7 |
Regional context
Memphis falls within the humid subtropical climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this zone.
Similar climates: Nashville, TN, Knoxville, TN, Chattanooga, TN, Clarksville, TN, Murfreesboro, TN.
Naturalist notes
Late April brings the first ruby-throated hummingbirds back to Memphis gardens, their arrival coinciding with the opening of native trumpet honeysuckle blooms.
Redbud trees typically reach peak flowering in early March, painting woodland edges and city parks with their characteristic purple-pink blossoms.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Memphis?
- Memphis typically sees its last spring frost around mid-March, with the first fall frost returning around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Memphis?
- April stands as the wettest month, delivering about 5.9 inches of rain on average, while the city collects roughly 55 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Memphis?
- July typically records the warmest temperatures, averaging about 83°F.
- What is the coldest month in Memphis?
- January typically brings the coldest weather, averaging about 42°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Memphis?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can go in the ground around the last spring frost in mid-March, while warm-season varieties such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Memphis get?
- Memphis sees rain on about 74 days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Memphis?
- Memphis's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool can provide the current zone designation using the city ZIP code.
Climate
Memphis, Tennessee experiences a humid subtropical climate. Temperatures hover near 42°F in January and climb to an average of 83°F in July, creating a 41°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 55 inches, falling across roughly 74 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography drives the weather patterns here. The city's latitude at 35.1°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine growing seasons, frost timing, and daily weather variations.
ZIP codes in Memphis
- 38120
- 38127
- 38126
- 38107
- 38106
- 38105
- 38104
- 38103
- 38109
- 38108
- 38152
- 38132
- 38141
- 38112
- 38114
- 38111
- 38113
- 38115
- 38116
- 38117
- 38118
- 38119
- 38018
- 38016
- 38133
- 38131
- 38134
- 38128
- 38122
- 38125
- 37501
- 37544
- 38088
- 38101
- 38124
- 38130
- 38136
- 38137
- 38145
- 38148
- 38150
- 38151
- 38157
- 38159
- 38161
- 38163
- 38166
- 38168
- 38173
- 38174
- 38175
- 38177
- 38181
- 38182
- 38184
- 38186
- 38187
- 38188
- 38190
- 38193
- 38194
- 38197