Memphis - Hottest Decades

Ranked here are the hottest decades on record for Memphis, Tennessee. The lists include decades when Memphis had the highest average temperatures, the most hot days and the fewest cold days. These extremes are for temperatures observed at Memphis International Airport and cover eight decades, from the 1940s to the 2010s.

That is when Memphis had weather measurements that are consistent and complete enough to compare decades. Each decade comprises a standard 10-year range. For instance, the 1990s includes measurements from Jan 1, 1990 to Dec 31, 1999. Links to the data behind these lists are in the References section on this page.

Hottest High Temperatures

Average daily maximum temperature at Memphis
High °F Decade High °C
Highest 73.2 2010s 22.9
Runner-up 72.7 2000s 22.6

Warmest Low Temperatures

Average daily minimum temperature at Memphis
Low °F Decade Low °C
Highest 54.4 2010s 12.5
Runner-up 54.0 2000s 12.2

Most Warm Days

Total days per year on average when Memphis had temperatures of at least 70 °F (21 °C)
Days Decade
Highest 221 2010s
Runner-up 220 2000s

Most Hot Days

Total days per year on average when Memphis had temperatures of at least 90 °F (32 °C)
Days Decade
Highest 80 2010s
Runner-up 73 1950s

Fewest Freezing Days

Total days per year on average when Memphis had temperatures of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower
Days Decade
Lowest 41 1990s
Runner-up 46 2000s

How Much Hotter are 2010s?

Compared with averages for the previous 50 years (1960 to 2009), the 2010s in Memphis had:

  • 15 more days each year with temperatures of 90 °F and higher
  • 1.3 °F higher daily maximum temperatures (0.7 °C)
  • 1.5 °F higher daily minimum temperatures (0.8 °C)
  • 5 fewer days a year with freezing temperatures
References

Current Results. 2020. Memphis TN Temperature Averages by Decade

Jay Lawrimore, Ron Ray, Scott Applequist, Bryant Korzeniewski, Matthew Menne. 2016. Global Summary of the Year, Version 1.0. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

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