June Climate Recap
Following a warm spell to end May, temperatures during June were below average nearly across the board, primarily driven by the above average rainfall for most of the Mid-South. There were only seven days in June that were above average. The coolest temperatures occurred during the second week of the month with highs primarily in the upper 70s to lower 80s. In May, seven days of the final ten reached 90 degrees. For the entire month of June, Memphis reached 90 degrees only nine times. Overall, the average of 77.7 degrees was nearly 2 degrees below normal. As you can see from the image below showing departure from average temperature for June for the U.S., Memphis was an anomaly.
Average temperature anomaly for June for the U.S. (WeatherBell) |
Very dry conditions for the latter half of May turned quickly in June with 13 rain days in June at Memphis International Airport, four more than usual. With eight of those days producing a half inch or more of rain, the total for the month was well over double the average and ended as the fifth wettest June on record. The graphic below show most of the Mid-South was well above average for the month. However, an area from northern Shelby County into western Tipton County was below average. In fact, our MWN weather station in north Bartlett more over six inches LESS precipitation than the airport!
Observed precipitation for June in the Memphis area. Note the very high amounts in the southeaster metro juxtaposed to the much lower amounts in the northern metro. (NOAA/WPC) |
You’ll also notice the very high anomalies in southeast Shelby, eastern DeSoto, and Fayette Counties. Areas around Germantown south into Olive Branch received more than 8 inches of rain in just a few hours during the early morning of the 7th, resulting in significant flooding damage to many homes and business.
Severe weather, primarily in the form of high wind and flooding, occurred on multiple days in June. Wind damage occurred in the metro on the 7th, 19th, 23rd, and 29th. The evening of the 19th in particular was a large-scale damaging wind event as severe storms brought 60-70 mph to the metro, resulting in over 40,000 MLGW customers without power. As mentioned above, the storms early in the morning on the 7th lead to significant flooding in some areas, and there were power outages incurred on the 23rd as well.
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 77.7 degrees (1.9 degrees below average)
Average high temperature: 86.2 degrees (2.7 degrees below average)
Average low temperature: 69.2 degrees (1.1 degrees below average)
Warmest temperature: 92 degrees (21st, 22nd)
Coolest temperature: 57 degrees (14th)
Heating Degrees Days: 0
Cooling Degree Days: 388 (50 below average)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: Nine days recorded a high temperature of 90 degrees or warmer, 4.9 less than the average for June.
Precipitation
Monthly total: 9.51″ (5.88″ above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 13 (4.0 days above average)
Wettest 24-hour period: 2.80″ (7th)
Snowfall: None
Records set or tied: Record daily rainfall set on June 7 (2.80″)
Comments: The month ranked as the fifth wettest June on record. Eight days recorded more than 0.5″ of rain and three days recorded over 1.0″ of rain.
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: West/67 mph (19th)
Average wind: 7.8 mph
Average relative humidity: 73%
Average sky cover: 60%
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.
Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 76.6 degrees
Average high temperature: 87.0 degrees
Average low temperature: 67.3 degrees
Warmest temperature: 93.5 degrees (22nd)
Coolest temperature: 52.1 degrees (14th)
Comments: None
Precipitation
Monthly total: 3.28″ (automated rain gauge), 3.80″ (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 12
Wettest date: 0.81″ (6th) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: None
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: South/31 mph (19th/20th)
Average relative humidity: 79%
Average barometric pressure: 29.95 in. Hg
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.
MWN Forecast Accuracy
MWN average temperature error: 1.64 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 81%
MWN average dewpoint error: 1.85 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 74%
MWN’s forecasts extend out five periods (2.5 days, or roughly 60 hours). Historical accuracy statistics can be found here.
Climate Outlook – July
The July climate outlook for the United State from the Climate Prediction Center is shown below. The Central Plains into the Great Lakes are likely to feature below normal temperatures, while the Deep South and Pacific Northwest should be warmer than normal. Odds favor near average temperatures for Memphis in July. Memphis averages 82.7 degrees for the month, or about three degrees warmer than June, and is typically the hottest month of the year as a whole.
A wet July is forecast for much of the central portion of the country, coinciding with the cooler than average temperature forecast. Below average precipitation is expected in the Deep South and across the Desert Southwest and Pacific Northwest. For Memphis, odds favor near average rainfall, which historically averages 4.59″ in July.
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