The Heat Is On!

[Curt]

Ahh relief finally is here! 85 at noon in E. Memphis is much more like it, especially with DP's in the low 50's. the lowest DP I could find area wide was Tunica MS at 48...pretty rare in June, July, or Sept for that matter. Too bad it wont last. My concern is lack of rain is leading to dry conditions that will heat up when the ridge returns in a few days, and there are already signs that it will happen. Caveat is lack of rainfall usually leads to lower DP's, even with the ridge so maybe no more HI's of 110 for awhile. Happy 4th!

It actually looks now as if we might get back into the NW flow later this week instead of the brutal heat ridge with, hopefully, plenty of rain chances on a daily basis. I would be happy if we never broke 90 for the rest of the summer(which we know wont happen).

[Clay]

Temperatures are going to fall like a rock this evening once the sun goes down with this dry air in place.

[jmundie]

Re: memphis heat island and metro area

Nashville's metro is significantly larger population-wise than is Memphis. The difference is density.

Nashville is very spread out, with wooded areas throughout even urban places (green hills, forest hills, bells bend, etc etc)

Memphis, because of its geography (flat flat and flat) is just sprawl connected to sprawl. The city limits of Memphis are almost entirely concrete.

[Clay]

Excellent point. You can go from nothing to densely populated in a matter of a mile in parts of Davidson County. That's one thing I love about Nashville.

Question... have you ever crossed the Mississippi River at daybreak? One thing I've noticed is stark contrast between both banks on the MS river at Memphis. When you cross the I-40 bridge at the MS river you go literally from farmland at one bank of the river to a concrete jungle at the other bank. I'd be interested to see if (and how quickly) the temperature would fall if you crossed from the Memphis side to the Arkansas side on a dry morning with strong radiational cooling.

[Curt]

Excellent point. You can go from nothing to densely populated in a matter of a mile in parts of Davidson County. That's one thing I love about Nashville.

Question... have you ever crossed the Mississippi River at daybreak? One thing I've noticed is stark contrast between both banks on the MS river at Memphis. When you cross the I-40 bridge at the MS river you go literally from farmland at one bank of the river to a concrete jungle at the other bank. I'd be interested to see if (and how quickly) the temperature would fall if you crossed from the Memphis side to the Arkansas side on a dry morning with strong radiational cooling.

Good reason its barren on the Arkansas side...you cant build within the levee. West Memphis tends to run a few degrees colder than the city, but not as cool as the eastern suburbs of Shelby County.

Honestly, I am a fan of both Memphis and Nashville, although I wouldnt say Nashville's metro area is significantly larger(both in the 1 to 1.5 M range). I travel a ton for work and honestly, neither city is what I consider a large metro area in the grand scheme. Nashville's rate of growth is more significant than Memphis, however, leading to major urban sprawl issues in the area. Memphis' development of the outer loop (I-269)from Tunica to Hernando to C'ville to Arlington to Millington will most defintely cause major urban sprawl in the area. While I do love Nashville's less densely populated city core and countryside within Davidson Co, I absolutely love the neighborhoods within the city of Memphis that carry cultures of its own and incredible charm. I just do not see that in Nashville at all as a whole on the level of Memphis. Also, ride a bike all over the metro area of Memphis...while certainly not hilly or mountainous, it is not as flat as one might think. I send a ton of time in both cities and find them totally unique, different, and cool. Although I think Memphis is more unique, not neccessarily in a good or bad way, than Nashville. Memphis is waaay mis-understood by the rest of the state and its a shame that more folks dont see what those who live here see. Anyways, I digress! Back to cooler weather and lower DP's!

[Curt]

Re: memphis heat island and metro area

N

Memphis, because of its geography (flat flat and flat) is just sprawl connected to sprawl. The city limits of Memphis are almost entirely concrete.

Sorry one more thing. Ever visit Shelby Farms? Its the largest uban park in the world, over 4500 acres to exact. It is an AMAZING microcosm in the middle of the city that contains tons of forest and wildlife. Check it out on google earth sometime..nothing like it for sure in TN and maybe nationwide except maybe Central Park in NYC. Also, check out Overton Park in midtown Memphis. To have a virgin forest in the middle of the city again is like none other. I dont think Memphis is sprawl connected to sprawl as much as you think. Just my humble opinion.... 

[Eric]

Good reason its barren on the Arkansas side...you cant build within the levee. West Memphis tends to run a few degrees colder than the city, but not as cool as the eastern suburbs of Shelby County.

Honestly, I am a fan of both Memphis and Nashville, although I wouldnt say Nashville's metro area is significantly larger(both in the 1 to 1.5 M range). I travel a ton for work and honestly, neither city is what I consider a large metro area in the grand scheme. Nashville's rate of growth is more significant than Memphis, however, leading to major urban sprawl issues in the area. Memphis' development of the outer loop (I-269)from Tunica to Hernando to C'ville to Arlington to Millington will most defintely cause major urban sprawl in the area. While I do love Nashville's less densely populated city core and countryside within Davidson Co, I absolutely love the neighborhoods within the city of Memphis that carry cultures of its own and incredible charm. I just do not see that in Nashville at all as a whole on the level of Memphis. Also, ride a bike all over the metro area of Memphis...while certainly not hilly or mountainous, it is not as flat as one might think. I send a ton of time in both cities and find them totally unique, different, and cool. Although I think Memphis is more unique, not neccessarily in a good or bad way, than Nashville. Memphis is waaay mis-understood by the rest of the state and its a shame that more folks dont see what those who live here see. Anyways, I digress! Back to cooler weather and lower DP's!

I did a lot of work myself in the greater Memphis metro area back a few years ago, and you're right....downtown is anything but flat, especially as you make your way through downtown heading towards the river.  I remember a stretch of downtown...pardon me if my memory fails me...as you travel west towards the river on Union Ave. I think, it practically dumps you off a cliff as you roll towards Riverside Dr.  It's almost like the western parts of downtown were built on a cliff.  But, anywho...just my  .

[Clay]

I did a lot of work myself in the greater Memphis metro area back a few years ago, and you're right....downtown is anything but flat, especially as you make your way through downtown heading towards the river.  I remember a stretch of downtown...pardon me if my memory fails me...as you travel west towards the river on Union Ave. I think, it practically dumps you off a cliff as you roll towards Riverside Dr.  It's almost like the western parts of downtown were built on a cliff.  But, anywho...just my  .

That would make sense. Elevation tends to drop quickly once you get close to a large river. I know both Nashville and Memphis's lowest points are at the rivers in which run through them.

[jmundie]

Yes, I've been in Shelby Farms. I lived in Memphis for 20 years, and drove through the farm on Walnut Grove every day for 3 years on my way to and from school. And its only about half forest. In the swamp along the river.


Check out Radnor Lake and Park on Google Earth. And then scroll west and check out how sparsely populated the area is. There are no seven lane roads here (maybe murfreesboro road at some parts). Many many major thoroughfares are just two lane. Super hilly. You can see that on google earth.

I'm in no way saying that Memphis doesn't have non developed areas, just that its much much more dense. The population of Davidson county is 100k less than the population of just Memphis City proper.

And there is some elevation change in Memphis. I'm not denying that. I'm just saying there isn't anything remotely close to the near undevelopable hills (those from the delta might even call them mountains) like there are in Nashville.

[Curt]

Yes, I've been in Shelby Farms. I lived in Memphis for 20 years, and drove through the farm on Walnut Grove every day for 3 years on my way to and from school. And its only about half forest. In the swamp along the river.


Check out Radnor Lake and Park on Google Earth. And then scroll west and check out how sparsely populated the area is. There are no seven lane roads here (maybe murfreesboro road at some parts). Many many major thoroughfares are just two lane. Super hilly. You can see that on google earth.

I'm in no way saying that Memphis doesn't have non developed areas, just that its much much more dense. The population of Davidson county is 100k less than the population of just Memphis City proper.

And there is some elevation change in Memphis. I'm not denying that. I'm just saying there isn't anything remotely close to the near undevelopable hills (those from the delta might even call them mountains) like there are in Nashville.

Touche...I see your point  I have been all over Radnor and its an awesome place to hike and ride. Although I would argue the SF is much more than half forest, but we will have to agree to disagree! BTW-you should take a look at the master plan for SF sometime on the website. Walnut Grove will be eliminated altogether. Any more writing on this particular topic will need to go to a new topic site. Back to weather...

[Clay]

I live about a mile north of the park. Radnor Lake State Park has the highest point in the county at 1175ft. As a result of living so close to it, I see deer, rabbit and other animals daily in my yard.

[dwagner88]

Jeez, it was supposed to be cooler today! still got up to 95. almost 10 degrees hotter than Knoxville. At least the humidity was low and there was a strong breeze.

[Clay]

Dryer air heats more efficiently.