Winter Storm Alert: Hazardous Commute and Significant Delays Expected Starting This Evening

Winter Storm Warning and Road Conditions

Good morning, Memphis. For Friday, January 23, 2026, we are issuing a major commute alert as a significant winter storm moves into the Mid-South. While the morning rush may start dry, city officials and meteorologists have confirmed that snow and sleet will begin impacting the region late this afternoon and throughout the evening. Hazardous driving conditions are expected to develop quickly once the precipitation begins, particularly for those traveling north of I-40, where heavy snow accumulations are most likely.

Memphis Public Works crews have already transitioned to winter operations, applying approximately 25,000 gallons of brine solution to 330 miles of priority routes. Commuters should be aware of the city’s snow and ice mitigation plan: if conditions deteriorate as expected, crews will focus on clearing only one lane in each direction along major arteries. This strategy ensures basic connectivity but means that traffic flow will be significantly slower than usual. We recommend leaving work early this afternoon if possible to avoid the onset of the storm.

Major Construction and Widening Projects

In addition to the weather, several long-term roadwork projects continue to impact traffic flow across the city. The multi-year Summer Avenue widening project remains a primary concern for East Memphis commuters. This $70 million project, which stretches from the I-40 interchange to east of Sycamore View Road, has reduced traffic to a single lane in each direction. Expect persistent bottlenecks in this area throughout the day, exacerbated by the incoming winter weather.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) also continues its $160 million paving program across Shelby County. While much of this work is scheduled for overnight hours to minimize disruption, active work zones remain on I-240 and the I-40 corridor. Motorists should be prepared for reduced speed limits and narrow lanes, which will become particularly treacherous as sleet begins to accumulate on the road surfaces tonight.

Public Transit and MATA Updates

For those utilizing public transportation, please note that the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is operating under the new route structures implemented earlier this month. These changes include eight brand-new bus routes and adjustments to 24 existing lines, such as the 50 Poplar and 56 Lamar routes. Due to the winter storm, MATA riders should expect significant service delays or potential cancellations of lower-performing routes if road conditions become unsafe for transit vehicles.

We urge all commuters to stay informed by monitoring official city updates and the SmartWay traffic system. If you must travel this evening, clear all snow and ice from your vehicle, maintain a safe following distance, and avoid sudden braking on treated surfaces.