August 2019 Climate Data for Memphis, TN

August Climate Recap

Following a slightly cooler than average July, August cranked the heat up a bit and ended just above normal, and about on-half of a degree warmer than July. August also featured the hottest temperatures of the summer at 97 degrees on two different days. The first and last third of the month featured cooler than average temperatures, but the middle third made up for that with very warm days between the 11th and 23rd. No days strayed too far from average though with the greatest deviation from normal only being five degrees.

June and July were both top ten wettest for their respective months and August also ended above average at Memphis International Airport, but not record-breaking by any means. In fact, once again, the airport received much more rainfall than the northern metro, as evidenced by under two inches of rain at MWN in Bartlett.

Average temperature anomalies for the U.S. in August show a cool month for the Great Plains and hot weather in the west and southeast. The Mid-South was on the dividing line between the different airmasses and ended near average. (NWS data via WeatherBell)

Precipitation anomalies for August in the Mid-South shows wetter than average for much of the metro. (NOAA data via WeatherBell)

The only severe weather reported in August (which is typically a slow severe weather month) was on the evening of August 13 when strong wind caused downed trees and power lines in Memphis and north MS. In addition, the wind pushed two rail cars up a gentle grade at the Canadian National Railway yard in southeast Memphis. In addition, lightning that evening knocked down a tree, which hit power lines that subsequently fell on a house and briefly trapped people, in Independence (Tate County), MS. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were posted for that storm, as well as one on the 7th. Additional Urban Flood Advisories were issued at times during the month due to localized heavy downpours, but no flooding issues were reported.

Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN

Temperature
Average temperature: 82.2 degrees (0.2 degrees above average)
Average high temperature: 91.1 degrees (0.2 degrees below average)
Average low temperature: 73.2 degrees (0.5 degrees above average)
Warmest temperature: 97 degrees (13th, 19th)
Coolest temperature: 66 degrees (29th, 30th)
Heating Degrees Days: 0
Cooling Degree Days: 538 (11 above  average)
Records set or tied: None
Comments: Twenty days recorded a high temperature of 90 degrees or warmer, 0.8 days more than the average for August.

Precipitation
Monthly total: 4.48" (1.60" above average)
Days with measurable precipitation: 10 (3.2 days above average)
Wettest 24-hour period: 1.01" (13th)
Snowfall: None
Records set or tied: None
Comments: Five days recorded more than 0.5" of rain and one day recorded over 1.0" of rain.

Miscellaneous
Peak wind: West/58 mph (13th)
Average wind: 5.4 mph
Average relative humidity: 73%
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: 80.2 degrees
Average high temperature: 91.8 degrees
Average low temperature: 70.7 degrees
Warmest temperature: 98.3 degrees (13th)
Coolest temperature: 58.2 degrees (29th)
Comments: None

Precipitation
Monthly total: 1.70" (automated rain gauge), 1.88" (manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge)
Days with measurable precipitation: 10
Wettest date: 0.60" (7th) (via automated gauge)
Snowfall: None
Comments: None

Miscellaneous
Peak wind: Northwest/25 mph (20th)
Average relative humidity: 82%
Average barometric pressure: 29.97 in. Hg

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

MWN Forecast Accuracy

MWN average temperature error: 1.61 degrees
MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 79%
MWN average dewpoint error: 1.53 degrees
MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 82%

MWN's forecasts extend out five periods (2.5 days, or roughly 60 hours). Historical accuracy statistics can be found here.

Climate Outlook - September

The September climate outlook for the United State from the Climate Prediction Center is shown below. Below average temperatures are expected across portions of the Midwest and Great Lakes region. Above normal temperatures are likely to be found in the western and southern U.S. Odds favor very slightly above average temperatures for Memphis in September. Memphis averages 75.2 degrees for the month, or about seven degrees cooler than August.

A wet September is forecast for the Rockies, Northern Plains, and East Coast. For Memphis, odds favor near average rainfall, which historically results in just over three inches in September, the second driest month of the year on average.

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