September Climate Recap
A hot August partially translated into September with high temperatures routinely in the upper 80s to near 90 degrees. However, with low humidity values, morning lows were generally in the 60s, resulting in below average temperatures for the first third of the month. The middle of the month saw slightly above average temperatures before a cool stretch in the third week of the month. Warm weather returned to end the month. Overall, high temperatures ended slightly below average and low temperatures were slightly above average. Typically September has about ten days that reach 90 degrees, but there were only four days that reached 90 this year.
Dry conditions in August also continued into September with less than one tenth of an inch officially recorded through the 17th. The second half of the month was closer to normal, though the entire month, with just over two inches of rain, ended an inch below average. There was no severe weather during the month and no warnings were issued.
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 75.9 degrees (0.1 degrees below average)
Average high temperature: 85.5 degrees (0.5 degrees below average)
Average low temperature: 66.2 degrees (0.3 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 91 degrees (13th)
Coolest temperature: 52 degrees (23rd)
Heating Degrees Days: 0 (7 below average)
Cooling Degree Days: 334 (1 below average)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: There were only four days with high temperatures above 90 degrees, which is 6.2 below average for September.
Precipitation
Monthly total: 2.03″ (1.00″ below average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 9 (1.9 days above average)
Wettest 24-hour period: 0.74″ (21st)
Snowfall: 0.0″
Records set or tied: None
Comments: Three days recorded precipitation of more than an one-half inch, while September averages 1.8 days.
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: North/30 mph (22nd)
Average wind: 6.3 mph
Average relative humidity: 69%
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: 72.8 degrees
Average high temperature: 85.1 degrees
Average low temperature: 63.1 degrees
Warmest temperature: 90.6 degrees (4th)
Coolest temperature: 49.4 degrees (23rd)
Comments: None
Precipitation
Monthly total: 2.10″ (automated rain gauge), 2.20″(manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 11
Wettest date: 0.96″ (14th) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: 0.0″
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: Northeast/19 mph (22nd)
Average relative humidity: 80%
Average barometric pressure: 29.98 in. Hg
Comments: None
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.
MWN Forecast Accuracy
MWN average temperature error: 1.72 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 76%
MWN average dewpoint error: 1.61 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 79%
MWN’s forecasts extend out five periods (2.5 days, or roughly 60 hours). Historical accuracy statistics can be found here.
Climate Outlook – October 2021
The October climate outlook for the United States from the Climate Prediction Center is shown below. Above average temperatures are forecast for virtually all of the United States from the Rocky Mountains east to the Atlantic, with the highest probability centered on the Upper Midwest into the Great Lakes. Slightly below average temperatures are forecast in the coastal Pacific Northwest. Odds favor above average temperatures for Memphis with a 47% chance of above average temperatures versus a 20% chance of below average conditions. The average temperature for October is 64.6 degrees, nearly twelve degrees below the September average.
Precipitation is expected to be above normal for the Plains into the Mississippi Valley. Additional above average precipitation is forecast for the Pacific Northwest. Below average precipitation is forecast for New England. For Memphis, odds favor above average precipitation (39%) versus a 28% chance of below average precipitation. Rainfall historically averages 3.98 inches in October.
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