May Climate Recap
Conditions warmed rather dramatically in May after a cooler than average April. Only three days were below average temperature-wise in the first three weeks of the month before cooler weather settled in during the last week of the month. Multiple 90 degree days occurred beginning mid-month with daily record highs set or tied on consecutive days from the 10th-12th and another record high set on the 18th. Both the average high and average low were at least two degrees above normal for the month. Precipitation ended below normal for the month, with about 3-4 inches falling across the metro versus an average of over 5 inches in May. Precipitation was fairly well spread out across the month.
Multiple days with thunderstorms resulted in scattered damage reports over the course of the month. These included hail and wind damage reports on the 5th, 13th, 15th, and 22nd. No tornadoes occurred however, and overall severe weather reports were below the long-term average for late spring.
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 74.3 degrees (2.2 degrees below average)
Average high temperature: 84.2 degrees (2.5 degrees above average)
Average low temperature: 64.4 degrees (2.0 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 97 degrees (12th)
Coolest temperature: 53 degrees (8th)
Heating Degrees Days: 0 (21 below average)
Cooling Degree Days: 296 (56 above average)
Records set or tied: Record daily high temperatures set on the 10th (90 – tie), 11th (92), 12th (97) and 18th (94). A record maximum low temperature was set on the 19th (75). There were nine days with high temperatures above normal, or about six more than average for May.
Comments: None
Precipitation
Monthly total: 4.05″ (1.22″ below average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 11 (0.5 days above average)
Wettest 24-hour period: 1.69″ (21st-22nd)
Snowfall: 0.0″
Records set or tied: None
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: North/44 mph (21st)
Average wind: 8.8 mph
Average relative humidity: 68%
Average sky cover: 56%
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.
Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 72.8 degrees
Average high temperature: 83.2 degrees
Average low temperature: 61.6 degrees
Warmest temperature: 94.9 degrees (1st)
Coolest temperature: 57.3 degrees (4th)
Comments: None
Precipitation
Monthly total: 3.23″ (automated rain gauge), 3.31″(manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 9
Wettest date: 0.81″ (21st) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: 0.0″
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: South/30 mph (20th)
Average relative humidity: 75%
Average barometric pressure: 29.92 in. Hg
Comments: None
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.
MWN Forecast Accuracy
MWN average temperature error: 1.91 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 70%
MWN average dewpoint error: 1.99 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 73%
MWN’s forecasts extend out five periods (2.5 days, or roughly 60 hours). Historical accuracy statistics can be found here.
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