February Climate Recap
February was dominated by warm air to start the month with multiple days of well above normal temperatures, including record tying temperatures on the 6th. A Strong cold front brought thunderstorms and much colder air for a couple of days before warm and wet conditions continued through mid-month. Below average temperatures followed a mid-month cold front that lasted for a week. Wet and cold conditions dominated the third week of the month with periods of thunderstorms and heavy rain, including precipitation on 7 of 8 days totaling over 5" at the airport. It warmed back up for the last week of the month with dry conditions. Overall, temperatures and precipitation were both well above normal for the month. There was no snowfall during the month. |
| The February temperature anomalies (departure from average) for the CONUS shows very warm conditions occurred in the eastern half of the country and cold air dominated the west, in particular the northwest. (Weathermodels.com) |
As far as severe weather, many Flash Flood Warnings were issued over the course of the month, but the most active weather days were the 22nd and 23rd when Severe Thunderstorm and Flash Flood Warnings were issued in the metro. No damage was observed from storms, but there were several flood reports. Tornado Warnings, and a couple of tornado reports, occurred on the 23rd east of the metro closer to the Tennessee River.
Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN
Average temperature: 48.8 degrees (3.3 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 57.9 degrees (3.2 degrees above average)
Average low temperature: 39.7 degrees (3.4 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 73 degrees (6th, 23rd)
Coolest temperature: 23 degrees (8th)
Heating Degrees Days: 449 (99 below average)
Cooling Degree Days: 3 (1 above average)
Records set or tied: February 6 (62 degrees, record high minimum tied; 73 degrees, record high tied)
Comments: Six days dropped to or below freezing this month, 3.5 below average
Precipitation
Monthly total: 8.78" (4.39" above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 15 (5.8 days above average)
Wettest 24-hour period: 2.04" (11th)
Snowfall: 0.0" (1.3" below average)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: Seven days recorded more than 0.5" of rain, three of which were over 1".
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: South/47 mph (14th)
Average wind: 9.0 mph
Average relative humidity: 74%
Average sky cover: 80%
Click here for a daily statistical recap for Memphis International Airport.
Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN
Average temperature: 48.0 degrees
Average high temperature: 57.5 degrees
Average low temperature: 38.1 degrees
Warmest temperature: 73.6 degrees (3rd)
Coolest temperature: 22.7 degrees (8th)
Comments: None
Precipitation
Monthly total: 10.05" (automated rain gauge), 11.52" (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 18
Wettest date: 1.76" (6th) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: None
Comments: Five days recorded more than an inch of rain.
Miscellaneous
Peak wind: South/32 mph (14th)
Average relative humidity: 80%
Average barometric pressure: 30.12 in. Hg
MWN Forecast Accuracy
MWN average temperature error: 2.93 degreesMWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 53%
MWN average dewpoint error: 2.90 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 48%
MWN's forecasts extend out five periods (2.5 days, or roughly 60 hours). Historical accuracy statistics can be found here.
Climate Outlook - March
The March climate outlook for the United State from the Climate Prediction Center is shown below. Temperatures are forecast to be below normal for much of the northern, central and western U.S. For Memphis, odds favor slightly below normal temperatures, with a 30% chance of above normal temperatures, a 33% chance of near normal temperatures, and a 37% chance of below normal temperatures. Memphis typically averages 54.0° degrees for the month of March.
A wet March is forecast for the southwestern and southeastern U.S. with near normal precipitation across the northern tier of the nation. For Memphis, odds favor wet conditions with a 46% chance of above normal precipitation, a 33% chance of near normal precipitation and only a 21% chance of below average precipitation. March historically averages 5.16" of precipitation, including 0.4" of snow.
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