A cool and wet July in 2009

Thanks to a persistent upper level trough over the eastern U.S., July saw an active storm track over the Mid-South, resulting in more clouds and rain than normal which, consequently, held temperatures at bay. The month ended up much cooler and wetter than normal, though not quite record-breaking. This is in direct contrast to June, which was much warmer and drier than average. Following are climate summaries for Memphis and Bartlett, TN.

Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
At the airport, the average temperature was 79.3 degrees, which was 3.2 degrees below normal and 2.0 degrees cooler than June. This also makes July 2009 the 5th coolest July on record. The highest temperature for the month was 95 degrees on the 15th and the lowest was 64 on the 18th and 19th. A total of only 13 July days saw highs at or above 90 degrees, while normal highs for the month are above 90 degrees every day. A record minimum high temperature was set on the 28th as the high topped out at only 79 degrees - one of 3 days that failed to reach 80.

Precipitation totaled 8.46", which was double (or 4.24" above) the normal and more than 6" above June's total. July 2009 goes down as the 4th wettest July on record. There were 10 days with measurable rainfall recorded and 5 days in which more than an inch of rain fell. A record 2.02" fell on the 30th, which was also the greatest amount on a calendar for the month. The peak wind gust was 41 mph, recorded on the 26th. Click here for the NWS climate recap for July.

Bartlett, TN
WXLIVE! also recorded a cool and wet month. The average temperature for July was 78.0 degrees (2.2 degrees cooler than June), with a max of 96.6 on the 15th (one of only 11 days above 90) and a min of 58.9 degrees on the 18th. A good deal of rain was recorded as well, totaling 6.70" for the month. [NOTE: a manual "NWS-style" rain gauge operated for the CoCoRaHS precipitation collection program and located next to the automated WXLIVE! equipment totaled 8.76" for July, which is likely much more accurate.] The peak wind gust was 29mph on the 16th. Click here for the MWN recap.