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.

Weather in Memphis, Tennessee

Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Memphis, TN

Sunday, May 17 at 2:52 AM

Mostly Clear

Feels like

71°

Humidity

66%

Wind

8 mph

Sunrise

5:54 AM

Sunset

7:57 PM

Memphis, TN

Hour by hour · 24h

65°

63°

10p

62°

11p

61°

12a

61°

60°

59°

58°

59°

61°

64°

68°

72°

10a

75°

11a

78°

12p

82°

83°

85°

84°

82°

81°

78°

Memphis, TN

7-day forecast

Today
May 16
Overcast
10%
85°69°
Sunday
May 17
Overcast
—
89°65°
Monday
May 18
Heavy Drizzle
11%
89°70°
Tuesday
May 19
Showers
42%
91°70°
Wednesday
May 20
Showers
72%
82°68°
Thursday
May 21
Light Showers
51%
75°67°
Friday
May 22
Drizzle
38%
85°67°

Memphis, TN

Next 24 hours · Mild now

Memphis, TN

Anemometer · 24h winds · from true

From · True

SSE

158° · backing 12°

Direction

SSE

158°

Sustained

mph

Gust

mph

Peak 24h

avg 8

Beaufort · 3 · GENTLE BRZ

CALM

LIGHT AIR

1–3

LIGHT BRZ

4–7

GENTLE BRZ

8–12

MOD BRZ

13–18

FRESH BRZ

19–24

STRONG BRZ

25–31

NEAR GALE

32–38

24h · sust vs gust · mph

avg 8 · pk 23 @ 8:00p

−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Memphis, TN

Barometer · 24h pressure · mb

Pressure · mb

1002.0

0.0 mb in 3h · steady · 29.59 inHg

Now

1002.0

0.0

12h

-2.7

24h

-0.2

Regime · RAIN

STORM

RAIN

CHANGE

FAIR

DRY

24h · Pressure · mb

range 1002–1006

−24h−18h−12h−6hnow

Memphis, TN

Air quality

AQI

Moderate

PM 2.5: 4.7 μg/m³
PM 10: 5.6 μg/m³
NO₂: 4.5 μg/m³
Ozone: 108.0 μg/m³
UV Index: 0.0 Low

Memphis, TN

Almanac · Sunday, May 17

When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.

Civil dawn

10:28 AM

Sunrise

5:54 AM

Daylight

14h 03m

Sunset

7:57 PM

Civil dusk

1:26 AM

Planting note

Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.

Memphis, TN

The moon

New Moon

0% illuminated

Moonrise: 11:06 AM
Moonset: 1:22 AM
In sign: ♊︎ Gemini

Memphis, TN

Microseason · 28 of 72

May 16–20

Roses open on the Piedmont edge

insect

Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Memphis at a glance

Today vs. normal: 5°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.

Roses open on the Piedmont edge

Memphis at a glance

Right now in the garden

Planting calendar

A year in weather

Regional context

Naturalist notes

Frequently asked

Climate

Nearby in Tennessee

ZIP codes in Memphis