Travel Discouraged as Winter Storm and Black Ice Impact Memphis Arteries

Severe Winter Storm Alert for Memphis Commuters

Today, Sunday, January 25, 2026, Memphis and the surrounding Mid-South region remain under the grip of a significant winter storm that began late Friday. Local authorities and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) are strongly advising residents to avoid all non-essential travel. Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain have created treacherous driving conditions across Shelby County, with black ice posing a severe invisible hazard on all major surfaces.

Major Highway and Interstate Conditions

TDOT crews have been working in 12-hour shifts since the storm's onset, deploying brine and salt across the interstate system. However, the extreme cold and ongoing precipitation have made it difficult to keep lanes clear. Commuters should be aware of the following specific disruptions:

• I-55 Southbound: At Mile Marker 3.6, a scheduled roadwork project remains active despite the weather. The southbound left lane and left shoulder are blocked, which may cause additional bottlenecking for emergency vehicles and essential travelers.
• I-40 and I-240: These major corridors are reported to be extremely dangerous, particularly on overpasses and interchanges which have frozen over. Reports of downed trees and limbs have been confirmed by Shelby County officials, further obstructing secondary roads and ramps.
• I-240 Eastbound: While no new major accidents were reported in the last hour, this stretch near Airways Boulevard remains a high-risk zone due to reduced visibility and patches of black ice.

MATA Transit and Public Transportation Updates

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has activated its Winter Weather Safety Plan. Due to the hazardous road conditions, service is significantly limited. For Sunday, January 25, MATA is expected to operate only on a highly restricted schedule, prioritizing "lifeline" routes to ensure access to essential services and warming centers. On Saturday, service was limited to the following routes: 11, 36, 39, 40, 42, 50, 52, and 57. Riders should expect similar or further reduced availability today.

• Trolley and Demand Services: The Memphis Trolley, Ready! On-Demand, and Groove On-Demand services remain suspended until further notice.
• Warming Center Access: MATA is providing transportation to the City of Memphis Emergency Warming Centers. Residents needing transit to these facilities after 7:00 PM should contact the emergency transportation line at 901-489-0939.

Safety Recommendations

AAA and local law enforcement reiterate that black ice is nearly impossible to see and forms rapidly as temperatures fluctuate. If you must drive, maintain significant following distances and avoid sudden braking. For those relying on air travel, Memphis International Airport is experiencing high volumes of cancellations; travelers should check their flight status before attempting to reach the terminal.