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Saturday, January 7, 2017

December 2016 Climate Data for Memphis, TN

December Recap

After the warmest autumn on record, with the previous three months all ending up in the top 10 warmest respectively, December's average temperature was just a bit above normal. However, the month didn't necessarily "seem" average with mild days offset by a couple of Arctic blasts, interspersed with a couple days in the mid 70s. Perhaps the best example was the 17th-18th, which featured a high in the mid 70s on the 17th, a sharp front that dropped temperatures over 30 degrees in an hour that evening, and a high the next day in the mid 30s.

With the wild temperature swings, the pattern was not-unexpectedly wet and occasionally stormy as well as precipitation ended above normal for the month. The wet month helped a great deal in improving drought conditions to end 2016. Severe weather occurred on two days. On the 17th, the aforementioned front brought scattered reports of wind damage to the metro, particularly over north MS, as well as multiple reports of funnels during the evening. Trained spotters indicated that tornadoes touched down in Tate and Marshall Counties. To end the month, a severe thunderstorm containing hail tracked across Shelby County on the 28th with reports of up to quarter-size stones.


Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN


Temperature
Average temperature: 44.5 degrees (0.9 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 52.9 degrees (0.8 degrees above average)
Average low temperature: 36.2 degrees (1.1 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 77 degrees (26th)
Coolest temperature: 15 degrees (19th)
Records set or tied: Record high (76 degrees) tied on the 17th.
Comments: None

Precipitation
Monthly total: 7.33" (1.59" above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 16 (6.3 days above normal)
Wettest 24-hour period: 2.18" (23rd-24th)
Snowfall: Trace (17th, 18th)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: In one month, abundant precipitation improved drought conditions from "severe" to "abnormally dry," a two-category improvement.

Miscellaneous
Peak wind: Northwest/49 mph (17th)
Average wind: 8.4 mph
Average relative humidity: 70%
Average sky cover: 70%

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

Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN


Temperature
Average temperature: 43.6 degrees
Average high temperature: 52.4 degrees
Average low temperature: 33.7 degrees
Warmest temperature: 78.1 degrees (26th)
Coolest temperature: 13.6 degrees (20th)
Comments: None

Precipitation
Monthly total: 6.85" (automated rain gauge), 7.06" (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 18
Wettest date: 1.84" (24th) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: None
Comments: None

Miscellaneous
Peak wind: Southwest/24 mph (17th)
Average relative humidity: 78%
Average barometric pressure: 30.22 in. Hg

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

MWN Forecast Accuracy

MWN average temperature error: 2.32 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 60%
MWN average dewpoint error: 3.15 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 51%

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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