December 2024 Climate Report for Memphis, TN

Temperatures for the month were about three degrees warmer than normal, part of a general trend for much of the United States in December. The warmest day was the 16th with a high of 68 degrees (67.2 in Bartlett). The coldest temperature recorded for the month was 21 degrees on the 6th (19.7 in Bartlett).

December started cooler than average with highs in the 40s to near 50 degrees and low temperatures in the 20s to near 30 for the first week of the month. A brief warmup occurred on the 8th with highs near 60 degrees, followed by near average temperatures for a few days. Temperatures surged to well above normal by mid-month with highs in the 60’s, before cooling in the days leading up to Christmas. Another warm spell characterized the holiday periods as highs again rose to the 60’s with lows generally in the 50s.

Precipitation was more than 4.5 inches above normal, with just over ten inches of rain occurring at the airport, and nearly nine inches in Bartlett. Rainfall was near average going into the last week of the month, then 6.48 inches fell in four days thanks to a stationary front that focused rainfall over the metro. The record daily rainfall for the 28th (2.69 inches) was broken as over four inches fell on that day alone.

Average temperature: 47.7 degrees (2.9 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 55.4 degrees (2.0 degrees above average) 
Average low temperature: 39.9 degrees (3.7 degrees above average) 
Warmest temperature: 68 degrees (16th) 
Coolest temperature: 21 degrees (6th)
Heating Degrees Days: 528 (100 below average) 
Cooling Degree Days: 0 (2 below average) 
Records set or tied: None
Comments: 10 days fell to freezing or below (1.5 below normal)

Monthly total: 10.06″ (4.57″ above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 11 (0.8 days above average) 
Wettest 24-hour period: 4.89″ (28th-29th) 
Snowfall: None
Records set or tied: Daily record rainfall of 4.44 inches set on 28th
Comments: The month ended as the 11th warmest on record.

Peak wind: Southwest/44 mph (30th)
Average wind: 8.4 mph
Average relative humidity: 68%
Average sky cover: 58%

Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.

Average temperature: 46.8 degrees
Average high temperature: 55.2 degrees
Average low temperature: 38.4 degrees
Warmest temperature: 67.2 degrees (16th) 
Coolest temperature: 19.7 degrees (6th)
Comments: None

Monthly total: 8.96″ (automated rain gauge), 9.32″ (CoCoRaHS rain gauge) 
Days with measurable precipitation: 11
Wettest date: 3.32″ (28th) (via automated gauge) 
Snowfall: None
Comments: None

Peak wind: South/30 mph (28th)
Average relative humidity: 74% 
Average barometric pressure: 30.20 in.
Comments: None

Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.

Average temperature error: 1.71 degrees
Forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 77%
Average dewpoint error: 2.21 degrees
Forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 67%

MWN’s forecasts extend out five periods (2.5 days, or roughly 60 hours). Historical accuracy statistics can be found here

Richard Hoseney
MWN Meteorologist

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