Temperature
A string of five straight months of above average monthly temperatures ended in July, as the average temperature in Memphis was 1.0 degree below the climate normal. The number of 90 degree days was a week shy of the normal number for the month (15 versus 22). The average high temperature for the month was more than 2 degrees below normal, while the average morning lows were just slightly above normal. A string of 11 consecutive days of below average temperatures in the latter half of the month while under abundant cloud cover with frequent precipitation in the region was the main driver for the cooler than average high temperatures. The additional cloud cover helped keep the morning lows from dropping below normal though.
Precipitation
While precipitation was scattered in nature in July, typical of a summertime pattern, there were definitely some “winners” and “losers” as far as monthly totals were concerned. Particularly, areas south of I-40 received more showers and storms generally over the course of the month with rainfall totals above average for the month. North of I-40, such as our station in Bartlett, the rainfall was less than 50% of what fell across the southern metro, as can be seen in the graphic below. Severe weather was very limited in July with only a couple of reports of hail and a funnel cloud on July 8th and sporadic flash flooding in the city of Memphis on July 23rd and 25th.
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 81.8 degrees (1.0 degrees below average)
Average high temperature: 89.8 degrees (2.1 degrees below average)
Average low temperature: 73.8 degrees (0.2 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 98 degrees (3rd)
Coolest temperature: 67 degrees (10th)
Heating Degrees Days: 0
Cooling Degree Days: 528 (22 below average)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: 15 days reached 90 degrees (7 below average)
Precipitation
Monthly total: 4.89″ (0.07″ above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 10 (0.5 days above average)
Wettest 24-hour period: 1.64″ (17th-18th)
Snowfall: None
Records set or tied: None
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: North/48 mph (5th)
Average wind: 6.6 mph
Average relative humidity: 70%
Average sky cover: 54%
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.
MemphisWeather.net Headquarters, Bartlett, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 81.1 degrees
Average high temperature: 91.3 degrees
Average low temperature: 72.4 degrees
Warmest temperature: 100.5 degrees (4th)
Coolest temperature: 63.8 degrees (2nd)
Comments: None
Precipitation
Monthly total: 2.20″ (automated rain gauge), 2.24″ (CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 9
Wettest date: 0.61″ (5th) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: None
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: North/21 mph (5th)
Average relative humidity: 76%
Average barometric pressure: 30.00 in.
Comments: None
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.
MWN Forecast Accuracy
Average temperature error: 1.57 degrees
Forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 79%
Average dewpoint error: 1.40 degrees
Forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 83%
MWN’s forecasts extend out five periods (2.5 days, or roughly 60 hours). Historical accuracy statistics can be found here.
