Spring 2012 is warmest on record across East TN

WARMEST SPRING ON RECORD

With most of the monthly-average temperatures above normal, the seasonal–averaged temperature (March to May) ended up above normal. In fact, all 3 sites ranked as the warmest spring.

The season-averaged temperature at Chattanooga in spring was 66.8 degrees which was 6.4 degrees above normal. It ranked as the warmest spring on record. The former warmest spring at Chattanooga was in 1938 when the average temperature was 63.8 degrees.

The season-averaged temperature at Knoxville in spring was 64.6 degrees which was 5.9 degrees above normal. It ranked as the warmest spring on record. The previous warmest spring at Knoxville was in 1977 when the average temperature was 62.6 degrees.

The season-averaged temperature at Tri-Cities in spring was 61.1 degrees which was 6.0 degrees above normal. It ranked as the warmest spring on record. The preceding warmest spring at Tri-Cities was in 1991 when the average temperature was 59.5 degrees.

DRIEST SPRING AT CHATTANOOGA

Thunderstorms played a big part in the seasonal (March to May) precipitation ranges. Chattanooga and Tri-Cities were below normal for the season while Knoxville ended with a surplus for the season. In fact, Chattanooga had the driest spring on record.



Chattanooga received a seasonal total of 3.61 inches of rain in spring, which was 9.46 inches below normal. It ranked as the driest spring on record. The previous driest spring was in 1986 when only 5.84 inches of precipitation was recorded.