Saturday, May 8, 2021

April 2021 Climate Report for Memphis, TN

April Climate Recap

While March was much warmer than average, April cooled down a fair bit relative to average, ending almost two degrees below normal. While there were several days of above average warmth, only a couple were excessively so. On the other hand, there were several days were it was abnormally cool, including a few days with morning lows in the 30s to start the month, and another particularly cold shot centered around the 21st, when frost occurred again and high temperatures were quite cool. A daily record low was set on the 22nd with a minimum temperature of 37 degrees. As usual though, a wide range of temperatures occurred, from a few lows in the mid 30s to a few days with highs in the mid 80s.

Precipitation ended well below average (56% of normal), even though there were several days with rain, as only one day recorded more than an inch of rain. In fact, two-thirds of the total April rainfall fell in the last week of the month. Surprisingly, in what historically is one of the busiest months of the year for severe weather, no severe weather reports were received and only a couple of weather warnings were issued in the metro during the month, on the evenings of the 7th and 9th.


Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN

Temperature 
Average temperature: 61.0 degrees (1.9 degrees below average) 
Average high temperature: 71.3 degrees (1.7 degrees below average) 
Average low temperature: 50.6 degrees (2.3 degrees below average) 
Warmest temperature: 84 degrees (12th) 
Coolest temperature: 35 degrees (2nd, 21st) 
Heating Degrees Days: 166 (29 above average)
Cooling Degree Days: 51 (24 below average) 
Records set or tied: April 22 - daily record low minimum (37 degrees)
Comments: There were no days with high temperatures above 90, nor any days with low temperatures below freezing.

Precipitation 
Monthly total: 3.10" (2.40" below average) 
Days with measurable precipitation: 7 (2.6 days below average) 
Wettest 24-hour period: 1.17" (29th) 
Snowfall: 0.0"
Records set or tied: None
Comments: One day recorded precipitation of more than an inch, 1.0 day below average for April.

Miscellaneous 
Peak wind: Southwest/40 mph (22nd) 
Average wind: 8.1 mph 
Average relative humidity: 61% 
Average sky cover: 48% 

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

Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN

Temperature 
Average temperature: 60.7 degrees 
Average high temperature: 72.8 degrees 
Average low temperature: 49.1 degrees 
Warmest temperature: 85.9 degrees (9th) 
Coolest temperature: 29.2 degrees (2nd) 
Comments: None 

Precipitation 
Monthly total: 3.72" (automated rain gauge), 3.90"(manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge) 
Days with measurable precipitation: 8
Wettest date: 1.69" (29th) (via automated gauge) 
Snowfall: 0.0"
Comments: None

Miscellaneous 
Peak wind: Southwest/29 mph (8th)
Average relative humidity: 68% 
Average barometric pressure: 29.98 in. Hg
Comments: None

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

MWN Forecast Accuracy

MWN average temperature error: 2.36 degrees 
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 64% 
MWN average dewpoint error: 2.90 degrees 
MWN 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.
 

Climate Outlook - May 2021

The May climate outlook for the United States from the Climate Prediction Center is shown below. Above average temperatures are forecast for all of the southern US., with highest probabilities from the southern Plains to Desert Southwest. A low probability of below average temperatures is forecast in the upper Great Lakes. Odds favor above average temperatures for Memphis (41%) versus only 26% chance of below average temperatures. The average temperature for April is 71.7 degrees.




Precipitation is expected to be below normal southwestern U.S. in May. Above average precipitation is forecast for much of the Mississippi River Valley east to the Appalachians. For Memphis, odds favor above average precipitation (41%) versus only 26% chance of below average precipitation. Rainfall historically averages 5.25 inches.

--- 
Follow MWN on Facebook and Twitter for routine updates and the latest info! 
Complete MWN Forecast: MemphisWeather.net on the mobile web or via the MWN mobile app 
Download our iPhone or Android apps, featuring StormWatch+ severe weather alerts!
MWN is a NOAA Weather Ready Nation Ambassador Meteorologist Erik Proseus is an NWA Digital Seal Holder

No comments: