January 2016 Mid-South Climate Summary

...JANUARY 2016 MID-SOUTH CLIMATE SUMMARY...

January was quite average and dry around the region. Temperatures were within one degree of normal on the cool side, while precipitation totals were roughly half of what they should be for the first month of the year.

Memphis and Tupelo both recorded the warmest temperature of the four official sites during January with 73.0 degrees. However, Memphis had the warmest average temperature with 41.1 degrees, only a 0.1 degree departure below normal. This was also the average temperature closest to normal for the month. To contrast, Tupelo had the greatest departure from normal at only 1.0 degree below normal with its average temperature of 40.7 degrees. Jonesboro had an average temperature of 37.2 degrees, the coolest average temperature of the four sites, which was only 0.3 degrees cooler than normal. Jackson recorded 12.0 degrees on the 18^th, the coolest temperature recorded among the official sites. Its average temperature for the month was 37.4 degrees, a 0.8 degree departure below normal.

With the exception of Tupelo, much of the area only received roughly 50 percent of normal January precipitation. Tupelo received 86 percent of its January precipitation with a total of 3.84 inches, only 0.64 inches drier than normal. Memphis received 2.27 inches of precipitation, a 1.71 inch departure below normal. Jackson only picked up 2.04 inches of precipitation during January, 2.03 inches below normal. Jonesboro was the driest official site with only 1.80 inches of precipitation received in January, 1.63 inches below normal. A winter storm on the 22^nd brought light snowfall to many areas around the region. While only light amounts were recorded at the official climate sites, Jackson managed to record 1.5 inches, the most of any official site. Realistically areas north near the Kentucky border, namely parts of Obion, Lake, and Weakley Counties, were the regional maxima for snowfall totals with up to 9.0 inches reported at some locales in those areas. Some areas received lesser snow amounts as precipitation remained liquid and/or frozen longer, thus enhancing ice accumulation totals. Despite how much snowfall was recorded at the official sites, all were below normal for January, which is typically the snowiest month of the year.

The climate data for January are as follows:

TEMPERATURE DATA:

                               Memphis    Jackson   Jonesboro   Tupelo

Average Temperature (MONTH)  :   41.1       37.4      37.2      40.7

Normal Avg. Temp (MONTH)     :   41.2       38.2      37.5      41.7

Departure from Normal (MONTH):   -0.1       -0.8      -0.3      -1.0

Maximum Temperature          :   73.0       72.0      68.0      73.0

Minimum Temperature          :   18.0       12.0      14.0      17.0  

PRECIPITATION DATA:

                                Memphis   Jackson   Jonesboro   Tupelo

Total Precipitation (MONTH)  :    2.27      2.04      1.80      3.84

Normal Precipitation (MONTH) :    3.98      4.07      3.43      4.48

Departure from Normal (MONTH):   -1.71    -2.03      -1.63     -0.64

Percent of Normal            :     57%       50%        52%       86%

Total Snowfall (MONTH)       :     0.3       1.5        0.3         T

Normal Snowfall (MONTH)      :     1.9       2.3        2.2       0.9

Departure from Normal (MONTH):    -1.6      -0.8      -1.9      -0.9

Greatest Snow Depth (MONTH)  :      T         1          T         0

Climate Outlook:

With one more month remaining in meteorological winter, the Climate Prediction Center has predicted equal chances for above, near, or below normal temperatures and precipitation totals for the month of February. This is due to the lack of a clear climate signal to aid in a more definite prediction. While the strong El Nino event over the equatorial Pacific remains a factor despite its weakening, its effect on our region during the months of February and March are difficult to define. Therefore, the three month outlooks for temperature and precipitation are also equal chances of above, near, or below normal values.

MAYE