After one of the driest opens to a May in 22 years (1992), the weather finally became active mid month. A slowing moving upper level low pressure system parked itself in the (Upper) Midwest & Great Lakes Region. We saw a wet weather pattern that brought the months first measurable precipitation on the 9th with additional rainfall being recorded from the 11th-16th. Rainfall from the 9th through the 16th nearly totaled 3". After nine days with temperatures 70° and above, we saw a 4 day stint with high temperatures in the 50s from the 14th-17th. The high temperature of 52° on the 15th ties May 2nd for the coldest afternoons of the month. High temperatures in the 50s are more typical for March and around 20° below normal. On the 18th, the low temperature dipped to 38°. This was the 1st time the temperature dipped below 40° in 25 days (last time April 23rd-34°). It was the coldest morning of the month, and only the 3rd time over the past 30 years a morning opens up this chilly this late in the season. Additionally, the average temperatures from May 14th-18th of 49.4° was the coldest for the dates in 119 years. The average mean temperature for May 14th-18th of 1895 was 48.8°. During that period, May 15th, 1895 was the coldest with only a high temperature of 46° which still stands as the lowest maximum temperature record for the date.
On a sidenote, the cold low that moved through last week stirred up Cold Air Funnels. They are what I like to call premature tornadoes or baby tornadoes but they are actually harmless and usually very brief. They are not like the tornadoes we see during the thunderstorms in warmer weather. After the cool blast and wet weather we saw temperatures rebounding from 50s on the 17th to 60s on the 18th & 19th to 70s on the 20th and finally back to 80s on the 21st. On the 21st, we saw clusters of storms fire up, expand in coverage, and increased in intensity. The storms produced numerous reports of various sizes of hail, provided quite the light show with lots of lightning, and flash flooding occurred due to heavy downpours. The system continued to push southeast. Dew Point temperatures for the day had peaked to 70° which made it the muggiest day in 228 day (since October 5th). Also, the high temperature of 84°, ties May 8th as the warmest day of the year so far.
High Pressure began to settle in on May 22nd allowing temperatures to slightly fall back to the 70s with much drier air making for a pleasant Thursday Afternoon. High Pressure continues to be in control for Friday, May 23rd and Saturday, May 24th. Warmer temperatures will arrive on Sunday as high pressure shifts east. Humidity will also be on the rise.
Here's a look back the month's observations so far. So far the average month's temperature to date (60°) is below normal while the average month's precipitation amount to date (4.85") is above normal.
Here's a look at my Memorial Day Holiday Weekend forecast
WEEKEND POLLEN FORECAST
The UV index is in the "Very High" range for Saturday, this means sunscreen will be needed. The UV index is expected to remain in the very high range for much of next week as well.
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