April 2015 Climate Data and Forecast Accuracy

April Recap

The cold and wet February/March period turned to warm and drier the first half of April, then shifted to a cool and dry period the last couple of weeks of the month. There were a few rounds of thunderstorms in the metro, but severe weather was again (like March) below the typical pace. Rainfall was below normal, leaving Memphis International Airport with a year-to-date deficit of 4.83", or about 75% of normal. Through April 30, year-to-date temperatures are just over 2 degrees below average.

Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN

Temperature
Average temperature: 65.2 degrees (2.3 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 74.5 degrees (1.5 degrees above average)
Average low temperature: 55.8 degrees (2.9 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 85 degrees (9th)
Coolest temperature: 44 degrees (5th)
Records set or tied: None.
Comments: None

Precipitation
Monthly total: 3.07" (2.43" below average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 11 (1.4 days above normal)
Wettest 24-hour period: 1.33" (24th-25th)
Total Snowfall: None
Records set or tied: None
Comments: Though the number of days with rainfall was slightly above normal, the total precipitation was only 56% of normal as there was only one day with more than 1/2" of rain. After four months with no thunder reported, April saw the beginning of storm season with four days on which thunder was reported.


Miscellaneous
Peak wind: Southwest/40 mph (2nd)
Average wind: 8.7 mph
Average relative humidity: 65%
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: 63.9 degrees
Average high temperature: 75.3 degrees
Average low temperature: 53.4 degrees
Warmest temperature: 86.3 degrees (8th)
Coolest temperature: 37.6 degrees (5th)
Comments: None

Precipitation
Monthly total: 4.29" (automated rain gauge), 4.32" (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 12
Wettest date: 1.00" (1st) (via automated gauge)
Total Snowfall: None
Comments: None

Miscellaneous
Peak wind: South/29mph (9th)
Average relative humidity: 75%

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

MWN Forecast Accuracy

MWN average temperature error: 2.60 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 53%
MWN average dewpoint error: 2.99 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.

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