Memphis Braces for Severe Weather as Former Hurricane Helene Downgrades to Tropical Storm

Memphis Faces the Aftermath of Former Hurricane Helene

Hey there, Memphis! It seems like we’ve got some weather news that’s been brewing in the skies. A storm that once blasted through as Hurricane Helene has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, but it’s still packing a punch! Earlier today, meteorologists from the National Hurricane Center confirmed that Helene had transformed into a tropical storm with _sustained winds of 60 miles per hour_. As Helene makes its trek through Georgia and into Tennessee, it’s leaving a trail of heavy rain, strong winds, and the potential for flash floods.

What to Expect in West Tennessee

For those of us living in West Tennessee, we’ve got our weather windows wide open, and you might want to pay close attention. The National Weather Service has issued two key warnings for our area, one being a _flood watch_ that stretches until 7 a.m. Saturday. So, if you’re planning on venturing out, brace yourself for the possibility of _three to six inches of rain_ falling during this watch. It’s definitely wise to avoid any low-lying roads, especially since those can become tricky when the rain pours heavily.

But that’s not all. Alongside the flood watch, there’s also a _wind advisory_ in effect for parts of West Tennessee until 7 a.m. Saturday. While Memphis itself is currently just outside of the caution area, it’s still a good idea to stay updated, as that could change throughout the day. Expect a gusty day with winds blowing at _25 miles per hour or more_.

Today’s Forecast: Rain, Rain, and More Rain!

Now let’s talk about today! If you’ve got plans, make sure to pack an umbrella because the chance of rain today is sitting pretty at a whopping _100 percent_. We’ll be experiencing a high of _66 degrees_ and a low of _61 degrees_. Rain could bring in new precipitation amounts of _between two to four inches_, so definitely keep your raincoat handy!

As we look ahead to Saturday, the rain doesn’t seem to be letting up much. Saturday will have a _50 percent chance of showers_, tapering to 30 percent in the evening. It’ll be a bit milder with a high of _71 degrees_ and a low of _63 degrees_. Showers are anticipated to wrap up before 1 a.m., so we might get a brief respite.

What’s Next for the Weekend?

As we venture into Sunday, the rain returns with a _30 percent chance of showers_ after 1 p.m. The highs are expected to reach _74 degrees_, while the lows will stay at around _63 degrees_. Then we’re looking at a nice break as we kick off Monday! With mostly sunny skies and a high reaching _79 degrees_, it’ll be a welcome change after the stormy weather. The evening will settle down with lows hitting _64 degrees_.

And here’s a fun look ahead! Tuesday will continue the sunny trend with a high of _82 degrees_ and a low of _59 degrees_. Wednesday will cool down just a smidge with a high of _75 degrees_ and a low of _58 degrees_, while Thursday bounces back to _79 degrees_ for the high and a low of _57 degrees_. Looks like we’re swinging from stormy to sunny in no time!

Stay Safe, Stay Informed

So, Memphis, as we ride out this tropical storm, let’s stay safe! Keep an eye on your local weather updates, avoid flooded areas, and keep the good vibes going. Mother Nature is throwing a little bit of everything our way, and the best we can do is prepare and stay informed!