February Climate Recap
With a wet pattern dominating the weather in February, temperatures also were well above average due to increased moisture content in the atmosphere. For the month, the average temperature was 4.3 degrees above average, which ranks in the 88th percentile for warmth or 17th warmest February on record. High and low temperatures both averaged 4.3 degrees above average, so neither contributed more to the daily anomaly than the other.Three daily records were set or tied during the latter half of the month. Only six days saw average temperatures more than 2 degrees below the climatological average.Precipitation was the big story for the month with three days recording near or more than two inches of rain, including 1.99" on the 10th, 2.82" on the 21st, and 3.12" on the 28th. Overall, two-thirds of the days in February had measurable rain with an average cloud cover for the month of 80%. With all of the rain came some periods of minor flash flooding, although river flooding at the end of the month into the first few days of March was the bigger impact as the Mississippi River climbed above flood stage and local tributaries such as the Loosahatchie and Wolf Rivers also overflowed their banks.
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| February 2018 was the in the top 3 wettest on record for ten states that drain into the Ohio or Mississippi Rivers, resulting in flooding late in the month into early March in both basins, including the Mississippi River at Memphis. (NOAA/CPC) |
For the months comprising meteorological winter (November 2017-January 2018), the average temperature was 43.0 degrees, which is 0.4 degrees below the long-term average. Precipitation totaled 24.95", which was 10.84" above average and ranks seventh wettest on record.
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Average temperature: 49.8 degrees (4.3 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 59.0 degrees (4.3 degrees above average)
Average low temperature: 40.6 degrees (4.3 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 77 degrees (19th, 20th)
Coolest temperature: 24 degrees (2nd, 5th)
Heating Degrees Days: 433 (115 below average)
Cooling Degree Days: 14 (12 above average)
Records set or tied: February 19th: 77° (tied record high); February 15th: 65° (record warmest low); February 20th: 66° (record warmest low)
Comments: February 2018 was the 17th warmest on record.
Precipitation
Monthly total: 13.43" (9.04" above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 19
Wettest 24-hour period: 3.12" (28th)
Snowfall: 0.0" (1.3" below average)
Records set or tied: February 28th: 3.12" (daily record set); February 1-28: 13.43" (monthly record set)
Comments: Precipitation for the month set the all-time February record. Nine days recorded more than 0.5" and 2 days saw more than an inch fall.
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: West/41 mph (24th)
Average wind: 9.5 mph
Average relative humidity: 75%
Average sky cover: 80%
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.
Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN
Average temperature: 48.7 degrees
Average high temperature: 58.8 degrees
Average low temperature: 38.9 degrees
Warmest temperature: 78.6 degrees (19th)
Coolest temperature: 21.7 degrees (8th)
Comments: None
Precipitation
Monthly total: 11.79" (automated rain gauge), 13.75" (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 19
Wettest date: 2.56" (28th) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: None
Comments: Four days recorded more than 1" of rain, while two days have more than 2" of rain.
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: Northwest/29 mph (4th)
Average relative humidity: 80%
Average barometric pressure: 30.20 in. Hg
MWN Forecast Accuracy
MWN average temperature error: 2.84 degreesMWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 56%
MWN average dewpoint error: 3.01 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 49%
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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