September Climate Recap
The month of September ended warmer than average overall, and the warmth was generally persistent throughout the month. With the exception of four below average days around the 10th, which featured a few days with highs in the 70s, every day was above average except three. In fact, nearly half the month (14 days) featured highs at or above 90°. This is nearly a week of 90° days above average. No records were set, but Memphis did reach 95 twice in the third week of September.
Precipitation was also fairly abundant in September with nearly 3 inches falling at the airport from the 7th to 9th and additional rainfall totaling nearly 2″ from the 23rd to 25th. Flood Advisories were issued for the metro on the 8th due to heavy rainfall from thunderstorms, though no reports were received of flooding. There was no severe weather during the month.
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 77.8 degrees (2.6 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 85.5 degrees (0.4 degrees above average)
Average low temperature: 70.1 degrees (4.9 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 95 degrees (19th, 20th)
Coolest temperature: 58 degrees (29th)
Heating Degrees Days: 1 (10 below average)
Cooling Degree Days: 395 (79 above average)
Records set or tied: None.
Comments: Fourteen days recorded high temperatures at or above 90 degrees, which is 6.3 days above average.
Precipitation
Monthly total: 5.27″ (2.18″ above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 11 (3.7 days above average)
Wettest 24-hour period: 1.26″ (24th)
Snowfall: 0.0″
Records set or tied: None
Comments: Four days recorded more than 0.5″ of rain.
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: Southwest/30 mph (7th)
Average wind: 6.6 mph
Average relative humidity: 76%
Average sky cover: 50%
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.
Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 75.8 degrees
Average high temperature: 86.4 degrees
Average low temperature: 67.3 degrees
Warmest temperature: 96.8 degrees (19th)
Coolest temperature: 54.6 degrees (29th)
Comments: None.
Precipitation
Monthly total: 5.23″ (automated rain gauge), 6.42″ (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 12
Wettest date: 2.15″ (8th) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: None
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: Northwest/20 mph (26th)
Average relative humidity: 83%
Average barometric pressure: 30.02 in. Hg
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.
MWN Forecast Accuracy
MWN average temperature error: 1.74 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 76%
MWN average dewpoint error: 1.66 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 76%
MWN’s forecasts extend out five periods (2.5 days, or roughly 60 hours). Historical accuracy statistics can be found here.
Climate Outlook – October
The October climate outlook for the United State from the Climate Prediction Center is shown below. Temperatures are forecast to be above normal for much of the southern and eastern United States. For Memphis, odds of above normal temperatures in October are 70%, near normal 27% and below normal just 3%. Memphis typically averages just 64 degrees for the month of October, or about 14 degrees cooler than the September we just experienced.
A wet October is forecast for much of the United States with the exception of the Pacific Northwest and eastern seaboard and southeast. For Memphis, odds of above normal precipitation in October are 40%, near normal 33% and below normal 27%, or not far from equal chances of above/below. October averages about 4″ of rain in Memphis.
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