May 2021 Climate Summary and Highlights

May 2021 Climate Summary and Highlights

Overall, May was cooler for most, with a mix of wet and dry across Kansas. Below are some highlights from our three primary climate sites: Wichita, Salina, and Chanute.

WICHITA EISENHOWER AIRPORT

The average monthly temperature of 63.6 degrees was 3.1 degrees cooler than normal. It tied for the 33rd coolest May since
records began in 1889, and it was the coolest since 1997. Only 3 days during the month reached at least 80 degrees, which was
10.5 days below normal. It was the 3rd fewest number of May 80-degree days on record, and the fewest since 1995. Precipitation-wise, 3.98 inches was measured in May, which was 1.19 inches drier than normal, and the driest May since 2012.

SALINA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

The average monthly temperature of 63.0 degrees was 2.1 degrees cooler than normal. It tied for the 31st coolest May since records began in 1900. Only 7 days during the month reached at least 80 degrees, which was 6.9 days below normal. It was the
fewest number of May 80-degree days since 1995. Precipitation-wise, 6.62 inches was measured in May, which was 1.58 inches
wetter than normal.

CHANUTE MARTIN-JOHNSON AIRPORT

The average monthly temperature of 63.9 degrees was 3.0 degrees cooler than normal. It was the 29th coolest May since records
began in 1896, and the coolest since 2016. Only 4 days during the month reached at least 80 degrees, which was 8.7 days below
normal. It tied for the fewest number of May 80-degree days on record, and it was the fewest since 1996. Precipitation-wise, 5.42 inches was measured in May, which was 0.45 inches drier than normal, and the driest May since 2016.

Temperatures
Precipitation
Miscellaneous

May 2021 Temperatures

Monthly Average Temperatures	Monthly Temperature Departure from Normal

Kansas May 2021 average temperatures (the average of each daily high and low temperature).	Kansas May 2021 average temperature departures from normal. Like April, May was cooler than normal across much of the state, especially the southeast half.

Warmest Temperatures	Coldest Temperatures

The warmest temperatures recorded during May 2021 across Kansas were in the 80s and 90s, warmest across western Kansas.	The coldest temperatures recorded during May 2021 across Kansas were mostly in the 30s.

Monthly Temperature Rankings

Kansas May 2021 temperature rankings by division. The number 1 denotes the warmest May on record (since 1893), 129 denotes the coolest. All Kansas divisions saw cooler than normal temperatures, most pronounced across southeast portions, with the southeast Kansas division tallying its 11th coolest May.

May 2021 Precipitation

Monthly Precipitation	Monthly Precipitation Percent of Normal

Kansas May 2021 rainfall. This map constitutes a mix of observations and radar estimates.	Kansas May 2021 rainfall percent of normal. Much of south-central and southeast KS were drier than normal, along with portions of north-central and northeast KS. In contrast, western KS was wetter than normal, along with a narrow sliver across central and eastern KS.

Monthly Precipitation Rankings

Kansas May 2021 precipitation rankings by division. The number 1 denotes the wettest May on record (since 1893), 129 denotes the driest. Much of central and western portions of the state saw above normal rainfall, with western and southwest divisions breaking into the top-10 wettest.

May 2021 Miscellaneous Climate and Headline Information

May Tornado Warnings	Monthly Tornado Warnings

The number of tornado warnings issued by NWS offices across Kansas in May.	The number of tornado warnings issued across Kansas each month since 1986. May 2021 tallied 37 tornado warnings across the state, which was about 13 below the 35-year normal.

May Severe Thunderstorm Warnings	Monthly Severe Thunderstorm Warnings

The number of severe thunderstorm warnings issued by NWS offices across Kansas in May.	The number of severe thunderstorm warnings issued across Kansas each month since 1986. May 2021 tallied 242 severe thunderstorm warnings across the state, which was near the 35-year normal of 237.

May Flash Flood Warnings	Monthly Flash Flood Warnings

The number of Flash Flood Warnings issued across Kansas in May for life-threatening flooding potential due to very heavy rain.	The number of flash flood warnings issued across Kansas each month since 1986. May 2021 tallied 44 flash flood warnings across the state, which was 19 above the normal of 25.

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