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Weather & Climate in Memphis, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Memphis enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 293 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 52.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 315 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 64.0°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 315 ft (96 m) |
| Area | 324.0 sq mi (839.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,171/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.1090°N, 89.9675°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Shelby County County |
| Nearest Airport | Memphis International (MEM) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 99.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 72.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 57.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
218 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 82 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 77 km | 15 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 93 km | 24 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 124 km | 15 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 61 km | 21 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 91 km | 19 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 78 km | 0 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 129 km | 8 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 79 km | 14 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 124 km | 14 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 120 km | 9 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 82 km | 17 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri | M3.6 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 1993 | 6 km WSW of Gosnell, Arkansas | M3.5 | 91 km | 22 km |
| Aug 25, 2015 | 9 km W of Henning, Tennessee | M3.5 | 67 km | 13 km |
| Nov 6, 2009 | 6 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.4 | 120 km | 9 km |
| Aug 29, 1990 | 9 km WSW of Central, Tennessee | M3.4 | 81 km | 15 km |
| Apr 28, 1993 | 8 km SSE of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.4 | 130 km | 7 km |
| Aug 12, 2013 | 7 km S of Hornbeak, Tennessee | M3.3 | 142 km | 4 km |
| May 31, 2022 | 12 km SE of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.2 | 131 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
434 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 162 fatalities, 1,484 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 92 km | 81.2 mi | 8 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF4 | 62 km | 75.1 mi | 9 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 97 km | 39.0 mi | 11 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF4 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 76 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 97 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 19, 1970 | EF4 | 98 km | 47.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 92 km | 46.8 mi | 38 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 37 km | 29.6 mi | 16 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 91 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 41 km | 39.2 mi | 1 |
| May 2, 2010 | EF3 | 79 km | 29.6 mi | 3 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 52 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 87 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 62 km | 31.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 99 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 1999 | EF3 | 79 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1994 | EF3 | 13 km | 16.0 mi | 3 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1811 | AR: NE - NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKES | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 67 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COMP 109 (3,663 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | COMP 109 | 3,663 | 99 km |
| 2014 | C-55 CHILLI LAKE | 3,555 | 89 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,152 | 72 km |
| 2014 | C-39 EAST CHEWALLA | 3,107 | 72 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,031 | 90 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 119/90/88 | 2,955 | 86 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,848 | 74 km |
| 2014 | C-84 BAGLEY BOTTOMS | 2,766 | 86 km |
| 2013 | MIDWAY CEM PRESCRIBED BURN | 2,513 | 87 km |
| 2013 | PUSKUS LAKE | 2,271 | 94 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,248 | 84 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 51/52/53 | 2,182 | 91 km |
| 2010 | COMP 42 | 2,142 | 75 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 86 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB10 11 12 14 | 1,977 | 90 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,972 | 88 km |
| 2014 | C-109 | 1,863 | 100 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,841 | 99 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,785 | 75 km |
| 2011 | HOLLY SPRINGS RX | 1,780 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 4.1 in | |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 5.4 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 5.7 in | Wettest |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 5.2 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
Memphis has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 43°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.3 inches, with April being the wettest month (5.7") and August the driest (3.0").