January 2018 Climate Data for Memphis, TN

January Climate Recap

2018 started off brutally cold, in the midst of a spell of cold weather that began around Christmas 2017. Though temperatures warmed by the second week of the month, another lengthy cold spell gripped the Mid-South during the middle of the month. The second half of the month was generally warmer than average, but the damage was done by the very cold first half, which resulted in a colder than normal month.

Precipitation was right at average for the month, but featured a couple of wintry precipitation episodes during the mid-month cold spell that dropped 2-3" of snow and sleet on the city and resulted in multiple "snow days" due to the lingering cold and resultant slow melt. Thunder occurred on the 22nd but no severe weather occurred. Specific information for Memphis International Airport and MemphisWeather.net headquarters in Bartlett can be found below.

A GOES-East visible satellite image from January 17 shows snow cover over the Mid-South. Image credit: NOAA/NWS.

Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN

Temperature
Average temperature: 37.4 degrees (3.8 degrees below average)
Average high temperature: 46.2 degrees (3.6 degrees below average)
Average low temperature: 28.6 degrees (4.0 degrees below average)
Warmest temperature: 68 degrees (21st)
Coolest temperature: 7 degrees (17th)
Heating Degrees Days: 847 (109 above average)
Cooling Degree Days: 0 (0 above/below average)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: None

Precipitation
Monthly total: 4.02" (0.04" above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 10
Wettest 24-hour period: 1.10" (11th)
Snowfall: 2.5" (0.6" above average)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: Snowfall was recorded on five days, three of which were a trace. Measurable snowfall occurred on 12th (0.7" of sleet and snow) and the 16th (1.8" of snow).

Miscellaneous
Peak wind: South/39 mph (22nd)
Average wind: 9.2 mph
Average relative humidity: 65%
Average sky cover: 50%

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

Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN

Temperature
Average temperature: 37.4 degrees
Average high temperature: 46.2 degrees
Average low temperature: 26.6 degrees
Warmest temperature: 69.4 degrees (21st)
Coolest temperature: 1.9 degrees (17th)
Comments: None

Precipitation
Monthly total: 2.74" (automated rain gauge), 3.44" (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 9
Wettest date: 0.62" (22nd) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: 3.0"
Comments: Snowfall was recorded on four days, two of which were a trace. Measurable snowfall occurred on 12th (0.3" of sleet and snow) and the 16th (2.7" of snow).

Miscellaneous
Peak wind: West/32 mph (22nd)
Average relative humidity: 71%
Average barometric pressure: 30.33 in. Hg
Comments: None

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

MWN Forecast Accuracy

MWN average temperature error: 2.08 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 65%
MWN average dewpoint error: 2.86 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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