July 2022 Climate Report for Memphis, TN

July Climate Recap

Heat was the story in the month of July as the hot and dry pattern from the second half of June blasted right through the calendar change and continued for nearly the entire month. Only four days failed to reach a high of at least 95 and three were the final three days of the month. The century mark was reached or exceeded ten times during the month (third most on record) with a max of 103 on two occasions. The low temperatures remained above 70 degrees for the entire month and only dropped below 74 once, a feat that has only occurred one other time in recorded history (2011). 

In sum, the month ended well above average temperature-wise (second warmest on record behind 1980). The average high temperature was third warmest on record and the average low temperature was second warmest on record. For the period June 1 through July 31, the average temperature in Memphis was the hottest on record at 85.2 degrees.

Drought conditions that began in June worsened considerably through the first few weeks of July with the persistent heat and lack of widespread precipitation, resulting in a large portion of the metro in "severe drought" as we approached the end of the July. When rain did fall, it tended to be fairly localized and heavy, resulting in local relief from dry conditions, but little relief over the entire area until we neared the end of the month. Reflective of the mainly localized nature of the storms, the rain gauge at MWN in northern Shelby County received almost three more inches of rain than the airport. Over 50 percent of the rain that fell for the month at the official observing site occurred in the last three days of the month and much of the rest fell on the 18th. Flood Advisories during those two events were the only weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service for the metro in July.

Comparison of the Drought Index from the middle of June to the end of July shows the results of  the very dry pattern experienced for much of the last two months. (U.S. Drought Monitor)

Memphis International Airport, Memphis, TN

Temperature 

Average temperature: 87.1 degrees (4.3 degrees above average) 

Average high temperature: 97.1 degrees (5.2 degrees above average) 

Average low temperature: 77.2 degrees (3.6 degrees above average) 

Warmest temperature: 103 degrees (5th, 8th) 

Coolest temperature: 71 degrees (18th) 

Heating Degrees Days: 0 (0.0 above average)

Cooling Degree Days: 693 (143 above average) 

Records set or tied: Daily high temperature records were set or tied on the 7th (101 - tied) and 8th (103), while record warm minimum temperatures were set on the 5th (80) and 20th (82).

Comments: 29 days saw high temperatures meet or exceed 90 degrees, which is 6.9 above normal. Ten days met or exceeded 100 degrees, ranking third behind 1980 (19) and 1954 (11). The average temperature for the month placed July second warmest on record behind 1980. The average high temperature was third warmest on record and the average low temperature was second warmest on record.

Precipitation 

Monthly total: 4.24" (0.58" below average) 

Days with measurable precipitation: 9 (0.5 days below average) 

Wettest 24-hour period: 1.50" (31st) 

Snowfall: 0.0"

Records set or tied: None

Comments: None 

Miscellaneous 

Peak wind: Northeast/35 mph (17th) 

Average wind: 7.5 mph 

Average relative humidity: 63%

Average sky cover: 47%

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

 

Cirrus Weather Solutions / MemphisWeather.net, Bartlett, TN

Temperature 

Average temperature: 84.0 degrees 

Average high temperature: 94.8 degrees 

Average low temperature: 74.5 degrees 

Warmest temperature: 101.0 degrees (8th) 

Coolest temperature: 64.7 degrees (11th) 

Comments: None 

Precipitation 

Monthly total: 6.91" (automated rain gauge), 7.08"(manual CoCoRaHS rain gauge) 

Days with measurable precipitation: 8

Wettest date: 2.12" (1st) (via automated gauge) 

Snowfall: 0.0"

Comments: None

Miscellaneous 

Peak wind: Northeast/28 mph (17th)

Average relative humidity: 72% 

Average barometric pressure: 29.97 in. Hg

Comments: None

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

 

MWN Forecast Accuracy

MWN average temperature error: 1.81 degrees 

MWN forecast temperatures within 2 degrees of actual: 73% 

MWN average dewpoint error: 1.86 degrees 

MWN forecast dewpoints within 2 degrees of actual: 72% 

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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