Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Memphis in January
This is the coldest month in Memphis: highs average 48°F (9°C) and lows 30°F (-1°C), with about 3.9 in (100 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 57/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 48°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 3.9 in (100 mm)
- Humidity
- 83%
- Cloud cover
- 57%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 53 min
- Comfort score
- 57/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Afternoons only reach about 48°F (9°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 30°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
Some rain is likely, about 3.9 in (100 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April and October & November.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 30°F.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by February, lows rise to 33°F.
- Comfort holds steady from December (57 → 57/100).
- January sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Arkansas Delta Blues & Bites route recommends.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 48°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Memphis in January
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
B.B. King's Blues Club
Beale Street's best-known club with live blues bands nightly.
Central BBQ
Local favorite for pulled pork, dry-rub ribs and smoked wings across from the museum.
Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken
Spicy, crackly fried chicken in a casual downtown dining room.
Graceland
Elvis Presley's mansion, cars and planes, with an exhibit complex across the street.
National Civil Rights Museum
Museum built around the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.
Nearby in January
- Helena-West Helena in January~53 mi · highs 49°F, 3.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Clarksdale in January~72 mi · highs 51°F, 4.3 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Franklin in January~187 mi · highs 45°F, 4.0 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Nashville in January~197 mi · highs 46°F, 4.0 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Beale Street & Downtown Memphis and South Main & the Riverfront.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Memphis in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Memphis?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 57/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April and October & November. Expect highs of 48°F (9°C) and 3.9 in (100 mm) of rain. January is inside the Oct – Apr window our Arkansas Delta Blues & Bites route recommends.
How cold is Memphis in January?
Average highs are 48°F (9°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Memphis in January?
Some: about 3.9 in (100 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.5 in (1358 mm).
What should I pack for Memphis in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 48°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in January
- Arkansas Delta Blues & Bites Oct – Apr
Planning Memphis in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.