October Climate Recap
The month of October was generally very warm, and averaged more than a two degrees above normal. We started the month in the low 90's, dropped to the 70's by the 4th, then into the 60's by the middle of the month. A gentle warmup followed, with highs in the upper 80's by the 23rd. We finally saw much cooler temperatures on the 29th as a strong cold front moved in, with highs dropping to 49 on the 30th!
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| Departure from normal temperatures for October for the Lower 48 states |
The ongoing drought continued in October with only just above 1.5" of rain for the month (almost 2.5" below normal). The drought was particularly bad in the counties to the south, and creeped northward into most of the Mid-South throughout the month. All of the metro is now somewhere between a moderate drought to an extreme drought. Most of the rain (1.26") occurred at the end of the month. We saw a trace amount on the 4th, 0.3" on the 5th, then only trace amounts on the 15th and 19th, followed by 0.03" on the 27th, 0.29" on the 28th, 0.42" on the 29th, and 0.52" on the 30th. In addition, the Mississippi River at Memphis set a new record low river stage at -12.04' on the 17th, 1.23 feet lower than the previous record of -10.81 set October 21st of last year.
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 67.0 degrees (2.4 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 77.4 degrees (2.3 degrees above average)
Average low temperature: 56.7 degrees (2.7 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 92 degrees (1st)
Coolest temperature: 33 degrees (31st)
Heating Degrees Days: 88 (28 below average)
Cooling Degree Days: 158 (102 above average)
Records set or tied: Record high tied (86) and record high minimum (69) on the 24th
Comments: None
Precipitation
Monthly total: 1.57" (2.41" below average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 5 (2.5 days below average)
Wettest 24-hour period: 0.94" (29th-30th)
Snowfall: None
Records set or tied: None
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: North/40 mph (6th)
Average wind: 7.4 mph
Average relative humidity: 61%
Average sky cover: 49%
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.
MemphisWeather.net Headquarters, Bartlett, TN
Temperature
Average temperature: 63.6 degrees
Average high temperature: 76.1 degrees
Average low temperature: 53.3 degrees
Warmest temperature: 91.3 degrees (1st)
Coolest temperature: 29.2 degrees (31st)
Comments: High temp of 91.3 (1st) was a record for that day (since 2005); 29.2 (31st) was a record low for that day (since 2005)
Precipitation
Monthly total: 1.56" (automated rain gauge), 1.86" (CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 5
Wettest date: 0.55" (28th) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: None
Comments: None
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: South/24 mph (26th)
Average relative humidity: 72%
Average barometric pressure: 30.03in. Hg
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Bartlett, TN.
Comments: None
MWN Forecast Accuracy
MWN average temperature error: 1.98 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 69%
MWN average dewpoint error: 2.04 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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