Best time to visit Memphis

Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
I'm comfortable up to 27°C feels-like
22° heat-averse 30° heat-loving

Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.

Saved to this browser. Changes update the strips below.
Recent · 2020-2024
Interest Google Trends 2021-2025 searches, not arrivals (?)
Day · avg daily high (?)
Night · avg overnight low (?)
UV index · On a typical day around midday, UV is about this (?)
235678886532
On the sunniest 1 in 10 days, UV reaches this — and even higher
35788101096
PM2.5 air quality · on a typical day (?)
89771114141310787
On the worst 1 in 10 days, PM2.5 reaches this — and even higher
141512101921181815111110
October 10/10 feels 23°C (+1°C vs 1991-2020) · HCI 95/100
Day 24° · Night 13° 54% humidity 17 km/h wind 5 rain days (70h) 212h sun
Thermal 10
Sky 10
Rain 9
Wind 10

Higher = better, including rain & wind (green = "doesn't hurt the score", not "lots of it").

How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.

Compare with another destination

Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.

Tours in Memphis

27 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you.

  1. 12.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour4.96★ (188)2h 30mfrom $88
  2. 2Premium Elvis Experience: City Tour with Graceland Tickets4.95★ (60)7hfrom $480
  3. 3Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour4.88★ (955)3hfrom $85
  4. 4Memphis Mojo Bus Tour4.79★ (1,610)from $38
  5. 5Memphis Discovery Tour4.78★ (765)from $49
  6. 6Memphis City Tour with Sun Studio Admission4.76★ (739)from $92
  7. 7Memphis City Tour with Optional Riverboat Cruise & Sun Studio Add-On Options4.61★ (1,843)from $45
  8. 8Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour5.00★ (199)3h 30mfrom $69
  9. 9Historic Memphis Guided Walking Tour: Memphis Beyond Beale4.80★ (436)from $33
  10. 10Memphis Discovery Tour with Riverboat Cruise on Mississippi River4.76★ (414)6hfrom $90
  11. 11Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour4.53★ (839)1h 30mfrom $30
  12. 12Guided Memphis City Tour that includes Riverboat Cruise4.44★ (607)6h 30mfrom $95
  13. 13Beale Street Guided Walking Tour4.79★ (193)1hfrom $22
  14. 14Elvis Presley's Childhood Home Sightseeing Daytrip from Memphis4.57★ (281)8hfrom $105
  15. 15Memphis Rap and Hip Hop Tour4.88★ (32)2h 30mfrom $70
  16. 161 Hour Axe Throwing in Memphis4.98★ (86)1hfrom $26
  17. 17Elvis Presley Birthplace Park in Tupelo with Transport from Memphis4.80★ (129)7hfrom $215
  18. 18Memphis True Crime Tour4.81★ (113)1h 30mfrom $41
  19. 19Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum Admission4.60★ (222)from $16
  20. 20Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum Admission Ticket in Memphis4.81★ (47)1hfrom $15
  21. 21Memphis Discovery Tour w/ National Civil Rights Museum Admission4.65★ (52)from $82
  22. 22Private Arrival Transfer from Memphis Airport MEM3.27★ (44)from $72
  23. 23Memphis Hop On and Hop Off Tour3.74★ (72)1mfrom $60
  24. 24Memphis 101: Music, History, and Iconic Landmarks Private Tour5.00★ (13)1h 30mfrom $365
  25. 25Memphis 1 hour Horseback Trail Ride4.84★ (258)1hfrom $80
  26. 26Memphis Self Guided Driving Audio Tour3.41★ (29)from $17
  27. 27Memphis Music Hall of Fame Admission Ticket3.66★ (38)from $8

Last refreshed 2026-08-16.

Similar climatesNashville92% · Williamsburg92% · Raleigh91%

Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Memphis (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Memphis's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.

Month-by-month

Month Temp °C Feels °C Rain days Rain h Rain h/day Humidity Wind km/h Sun h UV Interest Score
Jan 1–10 7 11 124 11.3 64% 20 147 2 Peak 5
Feb 2–13 9 11 134 12.2 63% 20 141 3 Quiet 6
Mar 8–18 16 13 124 9.5 60% 21 179 5 Peak 7
Apr 11–21 19 11 110 10.0 56% 21 206 6 Moderate 8
May 17–27 27 12 107 8.9 58% 18 256 7 Moderate 8
Jun 21–31 34 9 88 9.8 55% 15 272 8 Moderate 4
Jul 23–33 37 12 105 8.8 59% 14 283 8 Busy 2
Aug 23–32 35 10 94 9.4 60% 14 253 8 Busy 3
Sep 19–29 30 8 85 10.6 56% 15 228 6 Busy 7
Oct 13–24 23 5 70 14.0 54% 17 212 5 Quiet 10
Nov 7–17 15 7 64 9.1 59% 17 180 3 Quiet 8
Dec 4–13 10 11 107 9.7 66% 19 148 2 Quiet 6

UV Index in Memphis by Month

UV index in Memphis peaks at 8 (very high) in June, dropping to 2 (low) in December. June reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.

Best months in detail

October

10/10

13–24°C · 5 rain days (70h) · 212 sun hours · 54% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)

April

8/10

11–21°C (feels 19°C) · 11 rain days (110h) · 206 sun hours · 56% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 6 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)

May

8/10

17–27°C · 12 rain days (107h) · 256 sun hours · 58% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)

Every month

Show the other 9 months in detail

January

5/10

1–10°C (feels 7°C) · 11 rain days (124h) · 147 sun hours · 64% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 2 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 3 (moderate)

February

6/10

2–13°C (feels 9°C) · 11 rain days (134h) · 141 sun hours · 63% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 5 (moderate)

March

7/10

8–18°C (feels 16°C) · 13 rain days (124h) · 179 sun hours · 60% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)

June

4/10

21–31°C (feels 34°C) · 9 rain days (88h) · 272 sun hours · 55% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 8 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)

July

2/10

23–33°C (feels 37°C) · 12 rain days (105h) · 283 sun hours · 59% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)

August

3/10

23–32°C (feels 35°C) · 10 rain days (94h) · 253 sun hours · 60% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)

September

7/10

19–29°C (feels 30°C) · 8 rain days (85h) · 228 sun hours · 56% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 6 (high)

November

8/10

7–17°C (feels 15°C) · 7 rain days (64h) · 180 sun hours · 59% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (moderate)

December

6/10

4–13°C (feels 10°C) · 11 rain days (107h) · 148 sun hours · 66% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low)

Two of American music's founding rooms are still standing here

Memphis has an unusually concentrated claim on twentieth-century music. Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all recorded, still operates as a working studio and runs tours through the same room. Stax, where Otis Redding and Booker T. and the M.G.'s cut their records, is now a museum on its original site.

Graceland, Presley's house, is among the most visited private homes in the United States and sits about ten miles south of downtown — far enough that it needs planning into a day rather than being walkable from Beale Street.

Our crowd index peaks in March, at the end of a mild spring and before the humidity arrives. The summer here is genuinely heavy: July averages about 31C with high humidity.

Plan the rest of the trip: Nashville · New Orleans · Williamsburg · Raleigh

Sources: Memphis Tourism — official visitor information , Stax Museum of American Soul Music

How many days are needed in Memphis?

Two to three. One for Beale Street, Sun Studio and the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel; one for Graceland, which takes most of a day with the archive exhibits; and a third for Stax and the Mississippi riverfront. Two is workable if you skip either Graceland or Stax.

Is Memphis worth visiting?

For music and civil rights history, strongly — few cities hold this much in one place, with Sun Studio, Stax, Beale Street and the National Civil Rights Museum all within a short drive. It is grittier and less polished than Nashville, which some visitors prefer and others do not expect.

Is it better to visit Memphis or Nashville?

Nashville is bigger, glossier and centred on country music and nightlife, with more restaurants and a stronger night-out scene. Memphis is rawer and historically deeper — blues, soul, Elvis and the civil rights movement. They are about three hours apart and pair naturally on one trip.

What month is best to visit Graceland?

Spring or autumn, when Memphis weather is comfortable and queues are shorter than midsummer. Avoid the week around 16 August, the anniversary of Presley's death, when Elvis Week brings very large crowds — unless that is precisely why you are coming. Book tickets ahead in any season.

What is the best month to visit Memphis?

April, May, September or October. All are warm without July's 31C and heavy humidity, and outside the peak of spring storm season. March is our measured crowd peak. January and February are cheapest and the indoor music and museum circuit runs regardless of weather. Avoid the week around 16 August unless you want Elvis Week, when Graceland and the surrounding hotels fill completely.

What not to miss in Memphis?

Sun Studio, still a working room where Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded; the National Civil Rights Museum built around the Lorraine Motel; Stax; and an evening on Beale Street. The Peabody Hotel's ceremonial duck march is a genuinely odd local institution worth timing a visit around.

Is Memphis humid?

Very, in summer. July averages about 31C and the humidity makes it feel considerably hotter, with afternoon thunderstorms common. Spring and autumn are far more comfortable for walking between sights. Winter is mild with January lows around freezing, and rarely disrupts a trip.

How far is Graceland from downtown Memphis?

About ten miles south, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car, so it is not walkable from Beale Street. There is a shuttle from downtown and ample paid parking on site. Allow half a day at minimum, longer if you include the aircraft and the automobile museum in the wider complex. Book timed tickets in advance — walk-up availability is limited and the archive exhibits add a further hour or two.

Is Beale Street worth visiting?

Yes, as an evening rather than a daytime destination — the live blues starts in the late afternoon and runs late, with music audible from the street. It is touristy and commercial, but the playing is genuinely good. For a less packaged night, ask locally about venues away from the main strip.

What is the cheapest time to visit Memphis?

January and February, after the holidays and before the spring calendar starts. Hotel rates downtown fall noticeably, the museums and music venues run year-round, and the crowds at Graceland are at their thinnest. The trade-off is cold, damp weather with little happening outdoors.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Memphis

When is the best time to visit Memphis?

October is the highest-scoring month (10/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 13–24°C (5 rainy days). The top three months by score are October, April, May.

What is the worst time to visit Memphis?

July is the lowest-scoring month (2/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 23–33°C (12 rainy days).

Is Memphis too hot in summer?

4 months (June, July, August, September) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.

When are crowds lowest in Memphis?

Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in November and peaks in March. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.

Which months in Memphis have good weather but fewer tourists?

October (climate 10/10, crowd index 18) and November (climate 8/10, crowd index 0) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.

What is the UV index in Memphis by month?

UV peaks at 8 (very high) in June and is lowest in December at 2 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 2, Feb 3, Mar 5, Apr 6, May 7, Jun 8, Jul 8, Aug 8, Sep 6, Oct 5, Nov 3, Dec 2. June reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.

What is the UV index in Memphis in June?

June is the peak UV month in Memphis, with a daily-peak UV index of 8 (very high). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).

How high can UV get in Memphis on the sunniest days?

Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. June is the worst case: typical days average UV 8 (very high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 10 (very high) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.

Is air quality in Memphis bad for travelers?

PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 5 months: February, May, June, July, August. The worst month is June with a typical-day mean of 14 µg/m³ (moderate); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 21 µg/m³ (unhealthy for sensitive) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.