October Recap
Hot weather, compared to average, continued from the summer deep into fall as October’s average temperature bested the previous warmest ever by 0.5 of a degree. In addition, October continued a dry streak as most locations in the metro saw the majority of the month’s rain on a single day. “Moderate drought” conditions covered the entire metro by the middle of the month. There was no severe weather, once again, in October.
Ranking of warmest Octobers on record in Memphis, with October 2016 easily moving into the top spot. |
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 70.7 degrees (6.6 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 81.9 degrees (7.5 degrees above average)
Average low temperature: 59.5 degrees (5.7 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 92 degrees (7th)
Coolest temperature: 44 degrees (22nd)
Records set or tied: Daily high temperature records were tied on the 29th (85 degrees) and 31st (87 degrees).
Comments: This month was the warmest October on record in Memphis at 70.7 degrees, beating the previous record of 70.2 degrees set in 1941. For the year, the average temperature is 68.8 degrees, which is the second warmest January-October period on record and just 0.2 degrees short of the warmest year on record to this point (2012).
Precipitation
Monthly total: 1.22″ (2.76″ below average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 5 (2.5 days below normal)
Wettest 24-hour period: 1.11″ (14th)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: Despite a very dry month with most precipitation occurring on a single day, through the first nine months of 2016, Memphis International Airport has recorded 51.70″ of precipitation, or 9.25″ above average (122%). Dry weather for the past 60+ days though has resulted in drought conditions expanding and worsening across the metro.
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: North/30 mph (20th)
Average wind: 6.5 mph
Average relative humidity: 63%
Average sky cover: 40%
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.
Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 67.4 degrees
Average high temperature: 82.5 degrees
Average low temperature: 54.7 degrees
Warmest temperature: 92.6 degrees (7th)
Coolest temperature: 37.2 degrees (22nd)
Comments: None.
Precipitation
Monthly total: 1.32″ (automated rain gauge), 1.31″ (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 4
Wettest date: 1.13″ (14th) (via automated gauge)
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: West/18mph (9th)
Average relative humidity: 76%
Average barometric pressure: 30.11 in. Hg
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.
MWN Forecast Accuracy
MWN average temperature error: 1.53 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 80%
MWN average dewpoint error: 2.16 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 68%
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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MWN is a NOAA Weather Ready Nation Ambassador | Meteorologist Erik Proseus is an NWA Digital Seal Holder |