May 2012 Monthly Climate Summary

            May 2012 continued the trend for the year of hot and dry conditions across the Mid-South. May 2012 was in the top 10 warmest months of May for the 4 major climate sites. May 2012 also continued the well above normal temperatures for this year and 2012 is now on pace to be the warmest ever at all climate sites. May 2012 also saw below normal precipitation for all sites, but only Jackson broke into the top 10 lists with the 9th driest May on record. For the year, all major climate sites, except for Tupelo, are having one of the top 10 driest years. Tupelo is only 3.51 inches below normal for the year due to heavier rains received towards the end of March. Here is the climate data that tells the story:

Temperature data:

                                                  Memphis          Jackson            Jonesboro            Tupelo

Average Temperature (May):        76.3                 72.5                   75.0                   74.1

Normal Avg. Temp (May):            71.7                 68.6                   69.1                   70.7

Departure from Normal (May):     +4.6                +3.9                   +5.9                   +3.4

Average Temperature (Year):         60.9                 57.6                   58.6                   60.1

Departure from Normal (Year):     +5.8                +5.6                   +7.0                   +5.3

Precipitation data:

                                                     Memphis          Jackson            Jonesboro            Tupelo

Total precipitation (May):               3.17                 2.05                   1.40                    2.27

Normal Precipitation (May):           5.25                 5.69                   4.61                    5.56

Departure from Normal (May):      -2.08               -3.64                  -3.21                   -3.29

Total precipitation (Year):              13.32              12.92                 12.55                  21.09

Normal Precipitation (Year):          24.28              23.54                 21.28                  24.60

Departure from Normal (Year):    -10.56             -10.62                  -8.73                   -3.51

The following tables show the rank, average temperatures, year of occurrence, and its departure from the 1981-2010 set of normals. 

TOP 10 WARMEST MAY MONTHS ON RECORD:

TOP 10 WARMEST YEARS THROUGH MAY 31:

The following tables show the rank, precipitation, year of occurrence, and its departure from the 1981-2010 set of normals. 

TOP 10 DRIEST YEARS THROUGH MAY 31:

SIGNIFICANT WEATHER EVENTS:

The abnormally warm and dry conditions continue to be the main story for the Mid-South. Moderate to severe drought conditions have developed and crops are beginning to suffer. There were only a few days with severe weather across the Mid-South. On May 2nd, a few severe storms produced hail in the Northeast Arkansas and North Mississippi. The largest hailstones, up to size of golf balls, fell just north of Tupelo, MS. A mesoscale convective system, or MCS, moved through Northeast Arkansas, the Memphis Metro Area, and Northwest Mississippi on May 6th. This system had some strong to severe storms associated with it, but most importantly heavy rains as well. Through the middle of the month, there were a few days with isolated afternoon storms that produced some wind and hail. On May 29th, several reports of wind were received in association with storms that moved through Northeast Mississippi and West Tennessee. The largest severe weather event in May occurred on May 31st. Numerous storms developed and several wind damage reports were received. However, compared to other rounds of severe weather the Mid-South has received over the years, most of the severe weather events in May were minor. There were no tornadoes reported or surveyed in the Mid-South for the month of May. This was the first May without a tornado since 2007. There were a few instances of flash flooding due to heavy rains. No river flooding was observed this year. On May 10th, 2011, the Mississippi River at Memphis was cresting at 47.87 feet. This year on May 10th, the Mississippi River stage was 13.8 feet, 34 feet below the river stage at the same time last year.

CLIMATE OUTLOOK:

The Climate Prediction Center, or CPC, continues to predict warmer than normal temperatures through the month of June in the one month outlook. The CPC has also forecast warmer than normal temperatures for the Mid-South in the 3 Month Temperature Outlook for June, July, and August. The precipitation is still forecast as having equal chances of above or below normal amounts over the next 3 months. Portions of North Mississippi have been classified as “abnormally dry” by the Drought Monitor. Most of West Tennessee, Northeast Arkansas and extreme Northeast Mississippi have been classified under "moderate drought" conditions. The Missouri Bootheel and extreme Northwest Tennessee have been classified under “severe drought” conditions. Some decent rains over the past week will help slightly with the drought conditions. However, many areas across the Mid-South are down 10 inches or more from normal rainfall amounts. Models are indicating some more possible relief for the first week of June as several disturbances move across the Mid-South. Hopefully that trend continues and the Mid-South receives some much needed rain. However, if the trend of below average precipitation for the year continues into the month of June, drought conditions will worsen across the region over the next month.

RRH

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