Bitter Cold and Bright Skies: Memphis Navigates an Icy Recovery on Tuesday

Morning: A Frigid Start Under Sunshine

Memphis wakes up to a landscape still gripped by the aftermath of the historic January 24-26 winter storm. While the sun will be out in full force this Tuesday morning, the aesthetic beauty of the clear sky is deceptive. An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect for the Memphis area until 12:00 PM today. Residents heading out early should prepare for wind chill values as low as zero degrees. A steady west-southwest wind moving at 5 to 10 mph will keep the air biting, despite the lack of active precipitation.

Afternoon: Chasing the Freezing Mark

By midday, the sun will continue to dominate the sky, but temperatures will struggle to climb. The official high for Tuesday is projected to reach approximately 31 degrees Fahrenheit—just shy of the freezing mark. While this is an improvement over the record-breaking sub-zero wind chills seen over the weekend, the lingering ice on secondary roads and sidewalks will remain a significant hazard. The National Weather Service notes that while the air is dry, the lack of substantial melting means that treacherous conditions will persist through the afternoon commute.

Evening: Increasing Clouds and Low Teens

As we transition into Tuesday evening, the clear skies will begin to give way to increasing cloud cover. This blanket of clouds will offer little in the way of insulation, as temperatures are expected to plummet to a low of 14 degrees. Winds will become calm after midnight, shifting from the west-southwest. While no new snow or ice is expected tonight, the deep freeze will solidify any slush created during the brief afternoon peak, leading to a risk of black ice on area roadways.

Closures and Safety Alerts

The severity of the recent winter blast continues to impact city operations and daily life. The following notices are in effect for Tuesday, January 27:

• School Closures: Memphis-Shelby County Schools will remain closed today, along with municipal districts in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, and Lakeland. All after-school activities have been canceled.
• Virtual Meetings: The Memphis City Council has moved its Tuesday sessions to a virtual format to protect public safety and allow cleanup crews to continue their work at City Hall.
• Road Safety: City officials and MLGW continue to monitor the grid and street conditions. Motorists are urged to stay off the roads if possible to allow salt and sand crews to clear the remaining ice patches.

Looking ahead, a very slight warming trend is expected for Wednesday, with highs finally inching above freezing. Until then, Memphians are encouraged to check on neighbors and ensure pets are kept indoors during these dangerously cold temperatures.