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SunnyDays

ERA5 almanac — 8 years of real data

Memphis in February

Memphis in February: 45% of days see measurable rain, 56°F average high, 1% of days historically clear (n=226, ERA5 2018–2025).

Memphis in February is historically a poor month for sun: only 1% of days clear across 8 years (n=226, avg high 56°F). September is the clearest month for Memphis historically. Historical average, not a forecast.

What you are reading: 8-year historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis, not a forecast. A month that is historically 90% clear can still be overcast on your specific trip. For this week’s actual forecast, see the live Memphis page. Both can be true at once: “historically strong in this month; this particular week is not.” We label which is which.

Early vs. Late February

Clear-sky percentage for Memphis in February, split by half-month. “n” is the number of days sampled across 8 years (2018–2025).
Period % Clear days Sample (n) Avg high
Early February
1st–15th		 0% n=120 56°F
Late February
16th–end		 3% n=106 56°F
Full month average 1% n=226 56°F

Sunshine & warmth in February

A second measure using actual sunshine hours (ERA5 sunshine_duration), not the daily weather code. A Lowcountry day with 12 hours of sun and a 25-minute afternoon storm is counted below as a warm, sunny day — because it was. How we define this.

Sunshine-based metrics for Memphis in February. Primary: % of days ≥ 72°F with > 6 h of sunshine.
Period Warm & sunny (≥72°F, >6 h sun) Sample (n)
Early February
1st–15th		 2% n=120
Late February
16th–end		 4% n=106
Full month average 3% n=226
8.4 h median sunshine per day 48% of days exceed 8 h sunshine 45% of days see ≥ 1 mm rain — rain is not hidden
Comparison (old vs new): WMO-code “clear” bar: 1%. Sunshine-based “warm & sunny”: 3%. The two measures are nearly identical here — no convective-storm bias for this climate and month.

Bottom line

Memphis is historically almost never clear in February: only 1% of days meet the clear bar across 8 years (n=226). Come back in September if you want clear skies here. Plan entirely around indoor or overcast-friendly activities.

→ See all destinations in September — historically the best month for sun in Memphis.

Every month in Memphis

Compare across all months with data. Numbers are historical clear-sky %.

Historical clear-sky % for Memphis, all months, ERA5 2018–2025.
Month % Clear Sample (n)
January 0% n=248 All destinations →
February ← this page 1% n=226 All destinations →
March 8% n=248 All destinations →
April 20% n=240 All destinations →
May 32% n=248 All destinations →
June 38% n=240 All destinations →
July 33% n=248 All destinations →
August 42% n=248 All destinations →
September 58% n=240 All destinations →
October 45% n=248 All destinations →
November 8% n=240 All destinations →
December 1% n=248 All destinations →

Frequently asked

Does it rain in Memphis in February?

Sometimes. Memphis sees measurable rain on 45% of days in February historically (n=226 days, ERA5 2018–2025) — not frequent enough to plan around, but not negligible either.

Is Memphis good for sun in February?

Not usually. Memphis is historically overcast in February: only 1% of days are clear (avg high 56°F, n=226 days, ERA5 2018–2025). September is historically far better for sun here.

All percentages are historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 8 full years (2018–2025). “Clear” means avg high ≥ 72 °F, precipitation < 1 mm, and a non-precipitation weather code. This is history, not a forecast. The live 7-day outlook for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.