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Weather & Climate in Memphis, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Memphis enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 323 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 172 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.3°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 172 ft (52 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 69/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.1370°N, 88.3059°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Noxubee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Golden Triangle Regional (GTR) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 29.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 22.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
52 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Aug 19, 2004 | 8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.6 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.5 | 29 km | 0 km |
| Jun 24, 1998 | 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama | M3.4 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 2009 | 12 km S of Centreville, Alabama | M3.4 | 118 km | 13 km |
| May 28, 1995 | 14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama | M3.4 | 45 km | 1 km |
| Mar 22, 2005 | 9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.3 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1995 | 21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama | M3.3 | 71 km | 1 km |
| May 9, 2004 | 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.3 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 77 km | 1 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 76 km | 1 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 73 km | 6 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 29 km | 0 km |
| Jun 28, 2008 | 7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama | M3.1 | 86 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2008 | 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi | M3.1 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 31 km | 0 km |
| May 4, 2007 | 4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama | M3.0 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Sep 11, 1992 | 5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama | M3.0 | 75 km | 7 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 87 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 76 km | 27 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
8 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 98 mph | 274 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 1 | — | 201 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 2 | — | 277 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | 92 mph | 172 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 2 | 81 mph | 201 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 1 | 75 mph | 288 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 75 mph | 292 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 1 | 92 mph | 205 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
616 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 216 fatalities, 3,469 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 84 km | 28.3 mi | 3 |
| Apr 8, 1998 | EF5 | 94 km | 30.3 mi | 32 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 79 km | 79.5 mi | 28 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 17 km | 127.8 mi | 13 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 37 km | 80.7 mi | 64 |
| Dec 16, 2000 | EF4 | 57 km | 18.0 mi | 11 |
| Mar 12, 1986 | EF4 | 91 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 87 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 23, 1975 | EF4 | 66 km | 14.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 18 km | 110.6 mi | 3 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF4 | 82 km | 139.1 mi | 7 |
| May 1, 1953 | EF4 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 90 km | 36.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 81 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 73 km | 79.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 72 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2019 | EF3 | 41 km | 9.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 11, 2013 | EF3 | 76 km | 66.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 87 km | 20.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 41 km | 22.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OAK COMPARTMENT 50/51 RX (5,018 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | OAK COMPARTMENT 50/51 RX | 5,018 | 88 km |
| 2019 | OK C-49 | 4,745 | 91 km |
| 2022 | OK TORNADO UNIT | 4,504 | 81 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 40/53 | 4,093 | 84 km |
| 2020 | OK PAYNE LAKE | 4,078 | 83 km |
| 2022 | OK C-1/2/3/4 COMBINED | 3,841 | 82 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 50/51/52 | 3,786 | 88 km |
| 2016 | MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B | 3,633 | 51 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 3,616 | 58 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,605 | 51 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,593 | 60 km |
| 2024 | OAK COMP 16/17/18 RX | 3,579 | 80 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,556 | 31 km |
| 2021 | OK 234 | 3,482 | 90 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,414 | 90 km |
| 2022 | OK C-36/38/39 COMBINED | 3,373 | 80 km |
| 1987 | 10 NOVEMBER | 3,301 | 51 km |
| 2021 | OK COMP 33 AND 43 | 3,164 | 85 km |
| 2021 | OK COMP 49 | 3,146 | 91 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 14 | 3,140 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (9°C) | 5.0 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 6.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 5.6 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 5.3 in |
Memphis has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 44°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.2") and October the driest (3.0").