January 2026 Climate Report for Memphis, TN

The first half of January was relatively warm with only two days in the first two weeks recording below average temperatures. Highs ranged from near 50 to the low 70’s with the warmest temperature recorded on the 8th at 73 degrees. Starting on the 15th, Arctic air infiltrated the Mid-South, resulting in only one day with an above average temperature (by one degree on the 16th). High temperatures ranged from 20 degrees to the lower 50’s during the latter half of the month. The coldest day of the month was the 26th, following a major winter storm, with a high of only 20 degrees and a low of 11 degrees. Overall, the first month of 2026 ended much colder than the average January.

For the first half of the month, Memphis International Airport recorded 1.22 inches of rain. The latter half of the month was dominated by a major winter storm that encompassed much of the southern and eastern United States from the 23rd to 26th. Officially the airport received 3.6″ of sleet and snow, with light freezing rain mixing in at times as well. Over five inches of sleet and snow fell at MWN in Bartlett.

The hard-packed nature of the wintry mix and trailing Arctic airmass kept winter accumulation on the ground into early February. Schools in the area were out of class for days, some up to two weeks, due to poor road conditions and repeated overnight re-freezing of snow and ice melt.

The graphics below depict the total snow/sleet accumulation and ice accumulation across the Mid-South. Parts of eastern Crittenden County, far northwest Shelby County & northwest Tipton Country received up to8-12 inches of snow. Further south, more sleet mixed with the snow, especially along the I-40 corridor, which lowered totals, but still resulted in multiple inches of a sleet/snow mix.

However, in north Mississippi, freezing rain accumulation gradually increased. Light accumulation in Shelby County increased to as much as a quarter inch further south in Tate County, while portions of north-central and northeast Mississippi (southeast of the greater Memphis metro) were hit hard by as much as one-half to one inch of ice accretion, resulting in widespread power outages and extensive tree damage.

A summary of winter weather reports for the Mid-South can be found here, while a detailed interactive map of accumulation can be found here.

Despite the winter precipitation, much of the Mid-South ended the month in a drought as shown by the Drought Monitor below.

Average temperature: 38.9 degrees (3.2 degrees below average)
Average high temperature: 48.0 degrees (2.9 degrees below average) 
Average low temperature: 29.8 degrees (3.5 degrees below average) 
Warmest temperature: 73 degrees (8th) 
Coolest temperature: 11 degrees (26th)
Heating Degrees Days: 801 (91 above average)
Cooling Degree Days: 0 (1 below average) 
Records set or tied: None
Comments: None

Monthly total: 3.05″ (1.09″ below average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 8 (2 days below average) 
Wettest 24-hour period: 0.75″ (25th) 
Snowfall: 3.6″ (2.7″ above average)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: None

Peak wind: NNE/42 mph (31st)
Average wind: 8.4 mph
Average relative humidity: 62%
Average sky cover: 49%

Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.

Average temperature: 38.1 degrees
Average high temperature: 47.9 degrees
Average low temperature: 28.2 degrees
Warmest temperature: 73.6 degrees (8th) 
Coolest temperature: 9.5 degrees (26th)
Comments: None

Monthly total: 3.20″ (automated rain gauge), 3.29″ (CoCoRaHS rain gauge) 
Days with measurable precipitation: 8
Wettest date: 0.79″ (24th) (via automated gauge) 
Snowfall: 5.1″ (total) = 1.8″ (24th), 2.5″ (25th), 0.8″ (26th)
Comments: None

Peak wind: South/26 mph (8th)
Average relative humidity: 70% 
Average barometric pressure: 30.18 in.
Comments: None

Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.

Average temperature error: 2.65 degrees
Forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 59%
Average dewpoint error: 3.08 degrees
Forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 49%

MWN’s forecasts extend out five periods (2.5 days, or roughly 60 hours). Historical accuracy statistics can be found here

Richard Hoseney
Erik Proseus
MWN Meteorologists


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