Hottest Mays in Tennessee since 1895
In 2022, the continental United States experienced its , according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while 20 states saw one of their in the same month. The year prior, July marked the .
Climate change is driving rising temperatures and more record heat. The has climbed each decade since 1880 by about .14 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit total.
compiled a ranking of the hottest Mays in Tennessee since 1895 using data from the . Rankings are based on the highest average temperature in each month. For each of the hottest months listed below, we've included the average state temperature, state-wide highs and lows for the month, and the total precipitation.
#9. May 2019 (tie)
- Average temperature: 70.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 81.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 59°F
- Total precipitation: 3.71"
#9. May 2004 (tie)
- Average temperature: 70.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 80.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 59.4°F
- Total precipitation: 5.28"
#9. May 1933 (tie)
- Average temperature: 70.1°F
- Monthly high temperature: 81.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 58.8°F
- Total precipitation: 6.95"
#8. May 1991
- Average temperature: 70.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 79.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 60.6°F
- Total precipitation: 6.56"
#7. May 2012
- Average temperature: 70.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 82.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 58.6°F
- Total precipitation: 3.25"
#6. May 1899
- Average temperature: 70.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 82.4°F
- Monthly low temperature: 59°F
- Total precipitation: 3.5"
#5. May 1987
- Average temperature: 71°F
- Monthly high temperature: 83.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 58.8°F
- Total precipitation: 3.21"
#4. May 1902
- Average temperature: 71.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 83.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 58.9°F
- Total precipitation: 2.86"
#3. May 1896
- Average temperature: 72°F
- Monthly high temperature: 84.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 59.6°F
- Total precipitation: 3.8"
#2. May 2018
- Average temperature: 72.3°F
- Monthly high temperature: 83.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 61°F
- Total precipitation: 4.99"
#1. May 1962
- Average temperature: 72.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 86.6°F
- Monthly low temperature: 58.5°F
- Total precipitation: 2.26"