January Climate Recap
Temperatures for the month of January in Memphis averaged above normal with high temperatures almost 6 degrees above average, and low temperatures over 6 degrees above average. The month started out warm with highs in the 70’s, but by the 4th highs were back to the 50’s. A brief warmup occurred from the 10th to the 12th, with a cold front dropping temps back to near normal by the middle of the month. Another warmup to the 70’s happened around the 17th-18th, with a cold front dropping temps on the 19th back to the 50’s. Highs stayed in the 50’s with lows just below freezing for the rest of the month, with the exception of the 31st, where we didn’t get above freezing that day due to winter weather.
January was a wet month overall – almost 5 inches above normal – with 15 days in the month receiving precipitation. The 1st-15th of the month had almost 5″ of precipitation, with the bulk of it falling on the 3rd (4.51″ at the airport and 3.78″ at MWN in Bartlett). The last half of the month saw scattered amounts of rain fairly regularly, with over 1″ of rain falling on the 29th and almost another 1″ on the 30th-31st. Multiple waves of sleet and freezing fell from the 30th through February 1st.
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 48.3 degrees (6.2 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 56.7 degrees (5.8 degrees below average)
Average low temperature: 39.9 degrees (6.6 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 74 degrees (1st)
Coolest temperature: 25 degree (31st)
Heating Degrees Days: 512 (198 below average)
Cooling Degree Days: 2 (1 above average)
Records set or tied: Daily high minimum (62 degrees on 12nd)
Comments: January’s average temperature tied for 11th warmest on record.
Precipitation
Monthly total: 9.13″ (4.99″ above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 15 (5.0 days above average)
Wettest 24-hour period: 4.51″ (2nd-3rd)
Snowfall: 0.2″ sleet, trace snow. (0.7″ below normal)
Records set or tied: Daily maximum (3.84″ on 3rd)
Comments: 0.2″ of sleet was measured on the 31st and a trace of snow on the 25th.
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: Northwest/41 mph (12th)
Average wind: 8.5 mph
Average relative humidity: 73%
Average sky cover: 62%
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.
Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 47.2 degrees
Average high temperature: 56.5 degrees
Average low temperature: 38.1 degrees
Warmest temperature: 73.9 degrees (1st)
Coolest temperature: 25.1 degrees (31st)
Comments: None
Precipitation
Monthly total: 9.74″ (automated rain gauge), 9.28″ (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 17
Wettest date: 3.78″ (3rd) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: 0.3″ (sleet) (Trace on 30th, 0.3″ on 31st)
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: South/31 mph (29th)
Average relative humidity: 79%
Average barometric pressure: 30.07 in. Hg
Comments: None
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.
MWN Forecast Accuracy
MWN average temperature error: 2.25 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 64%
MWN average dewpoint error: 2.05 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 69%
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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