February 2025 Climate Report for Memphis, TN

Temperatures rode the roller coaster in February, ranging from the lower teens to upper 70’s. Overall, high temperatures ended just slightly above normal, while low temperatures averaged a degree below normal

The month started off well above average with highs in the 70’s, including a record high of 77 degrees on the 8th. A cold front swept through after the record was set, dropping high temperatures into the 40s. With only a couple of exceptions, below normal temperatures persisted for a couple of weeks. An Arctic front reinforced the cold air during the third week of February as highs dropped into the 20s with lows in the lower teens (setting multiple records), accompanied by winter precipitation. A gradual warmup ensued after the Arctic blast, with temperatures climbing each day, reaching the mid 60’s to mid 70’s to end the month.

For the climatological season of winter (December through February), temperatures average 43.6 degrees, which is 2.9 degrees below average.

Precipitation was near normal for February, with nine days of measurable rainfall at Memphis International Airport (one of which produced thunder). There were also two days of light snowfall (mixed with sleet and freezing rain on the 18th). The highest rainfall days were the 15th (2.12 inches at the airport and over 3 inches in Bartlett) and the 11th (1.25 inches at the airport), which accounted for 3.37 inches of the 4.33 inches of precipitation.

The region experienced a heavy rain event from the 14th to 16th, primarily in northeast Arkansas and northwest Tennessee. Some locations saw six inches of rain in those three days, while the metro received up to three inches. More information on the event can be found here. Below is a graphic from the NWS showing rain amounts from that storm system.

As part of the heavy rain event, strong to severe thunderstorms also occurred on the evening of the 15th, with a few tornadoes reported outside the metro (Gibson Co. TN, Lee Co. MS, and Itawamba Co. MS). Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were posted for portions of the Memphis metro, though only a couple of wind damage reports and a report of large hail were received by the National Weather Service (NWS). Read the full report from the NWS here.

For the climatological season of winter (December through February), precipitation totaled 17.07 inches, which is 2.75 inches above average.

Snow fell on the 18th and 19th with sleet and freezing rain mixing in at times on the 18th before becoming all snow by midnight for most of the metro. The airport officially recorded 1.6 inches of snow, while at MWN Headquarters in Bartlett, 0.9 inches of snow was received. The image below from NWS Memphis shows the reported snow amounts across the area for that event.

Snowfall this winter totaled 9.1 inches, well above the climate average of 2.7 inches for Memphis.

Average temperature: 45.7 degrees (0.4 degrees below average)
Average high temperature: 55.8 degrees (0.3 degrees above average) 
Average low temperature: 35.7 degrees (1.0 degrees below average) 
Warmest temperature: 77 degrees (8th) 
Coolest temperature: 11 degrees (20th)
Heating Degrees Days: 533 (1 above average)
Cooling Degree Days: 0 (1 below average) 
Records set or tied: Record high of 77 degrees (8th); tied lowest high temperature of 24 degrees (19th); lowest high temperature of 23 degrees (20th); tied record low of 15 degrees (21st)
Comments: None

Monthly total: 4.33″ (0.22″ below average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 9 (0.9 days below average) 
Wettest 24-hour period: 2.12″ (15th) 
Snowfall: 1.6″ (0.6″ above average)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: None

Peak wind: NW/39 mph (16th)
Average wind: 9.0 mph
Average relative humidity: 66%
Average sky cover: 62%

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

Average temperature: 44.8 degrees
Average high temperature: 55.8 degrees
Average low temperature: 34.4 degrees
Warmest temperature: 79.3 degrees (26th) 
Coolest temperature: 9.6 degrees (20th)
Comments: None

Monthly total: 5.76″ (automated rain gauge), 6.16″ (CoCoRaHS rain gauge) 
Days with measurable precipitation: 7
Wettest date: 3.31″ (15th) (via automated gauge) 
Snowfall: 0.9″
Comments: None

Peak wind: SW/25 mph (15th)
Average relative humidity: 72% 
Average barometric pressure: 30.17 in.
Comments: None

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

Average temperature error: 2.66 degrees
Forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 61%
Average dewpoint error: 3.84 degrees
Forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 55%

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

Richard Hoseney and Erik Proseus
MWN Meteorologists

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