Memphis outlines snow and ice operations, targeted road routes, and warming centers ahead of cold weather

A route-based approach takes priority when winter weather hits

The City of Memphis has detailed how it plans to respond when snow or ice affects travel, using a route-based strategy that went into effect in 2025. Rather than limiting treatment mainly to bridges, overpasses, and steep inclines as in prior years, Public Works crews are now assigned to maintain mobility on selected corridors by clearing one lane in each direction on designated routes during wintry conditions.

City officials say the goal is to concentrate resources on streets that connect neighborhoods to major corridors and to state-maintained routes, aiming to reduce bottlenecks where city streets intersect with larger highways and arterial roads.

Equipment, materials, and thresholds for deployment

Memphis Public Works reports it operates 15 snow and ice removal trucks and six brine trucks for winter operations. When conditions allow, crews pre-treat roads with brine ahead of freezing precipitation. During active winter events, the city plans to apply straight salt rather than a salt-and-sand mix, a change intended to improve melting performance on treated surfaces.

The city’s plan also sets a threshold for plowing: snowplows are deployed when accumulations of 2 inches or more are forecast. Outside that threshold, the response can focus on pre-treatment and salting of targeted routes, depending on timing and conditions.

Streets included in the targeted clearing network

Memphis has identified a network of corridors that will receive priority treatment under the mitigation plan. The routes include all or parts of key east-west and north-south connectors, along with access points serving major employment and medical areas.

• Poplar, Union, Park, Jackson Avenue, Sam Cooper, Walnut Grove
• Winchester, Lamar, E. Shelby Drive, Airways, Democrat, Plough
• Elvis Presley, S. Third, Thomas/N. Second Street
• Range Line/N. Hollywood, East Parkway/Trezevant, Austin Peay, U.S. 64
• Germantown Parkway, Ridgeway, Riverdale
• Downtown, the Medical District, and President’s Island

Officials note the plan is designed around maintaining at least one passable lane in each direction on designated routes during winter impacts.

Public guidance and cold-weather support services

Alongside road operations, Memphis coordinates cold-weather support through two warming centers operating on a 24-hour basis during extended cold snaps. One site serves single women and families, and the other serves single men and couples. Transportation can be arranged through Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) during warming center operating hours.

For drivers, the city’s guidance emphasizes giving crews time to treat roads, monitoring forecasts, and planning travel around deteriorating conditions—particularly when temperatures fluctuate around freezing, increasing the risk of refreezing on untreated pavement.