May 2026 General Discussion

[michsnowfreak]

May finished as the 5th colder than avg month of the past 7. However, due to the extreme nature of the Mar/Apr warmth, the year-to-date is still running warmer than avg.

Nov: -0.4
Dec: -3.6
Jan: -5.2
Feb: -0.2
Mar: +4.9
Apr: +4.2
May: -1.6
 

[Brian D]

This is a better summary for DLH starting with the beginning of the water year. Rollercoaster temps, and generally dry. Forgot about this section under the climate n past wx page.

[Spartman]

Wettest May on record with 10.31" for the month (previously 9.05" set in 1995). Washout of a month. Good riddance.

[Chicago Storm]

May 2026 finished as the 10th driest May on record in Chicago.

Driest May Rankings
1. 0.30" - 1992
2. 0.58" - 1994
3. 0.67" - 1934
4. 0.71" - 2023
5. 0.78" - 1950
6. 0.80" - 1921
7. 0.84" - 1897
8. 0.93" - 1903
9. 1.00" - 1886
10. 1.17" - 2026

[Chicago Storm]

Spring 2026 finished as the 8th warmest spring on record in Chicago.

Warmest Spring Temperature Rankings
1. 56.6° - 2012
2. 56.2° - 1977
3. 53.9° - 1921
4. 53.8° - 2024
5. 52.7° - 2010
5. 52.7° - 1991
5. 52.7° - 1955
8. 52.6° - 2026
9. 52.1° - 2021
10. 51.7° - 1946

[OrdIowPitMsp]

May 2026 finished exactly 1.0F above the long term average in Minneapolis. 2.24” of precipitation which is -1.67” below average. There was a late freeze on May 6th.
 

The somewhat surprising 0.37” we received yesterday couldn’t have been timed better. 

 

[michsnowfreak]

Spring finished tied w/ 1987 & 2000 for 8th warmest on record of 153 at Detroit. Naturally it was 100% due to March/April, as May finished cooler than avg. An about face from the 44th coldest winter.

[Chinook]

6 hours ago, michsnowfreak said:

Spring finished tied w/ 1987 & 2000 for 8th warmest on record of 153 at Detroit. Naturally it was 100% due to March/April, as May finished cooler than avg. An about face from the 44th coldest winter.

How did you find the combined temperature average for Spring, and the ranking? I don't see any seasonal summary on the NWS local offices' climate web sites. All I can see is the climate summary for each month. Also, I can use the NOWDATA to see the average value or each (single) month. I am just curious.

[Brian D]

10 hours ago, Chinook said:

How did you find the combined temperature average for Spring, and the ranking? I don't see any seasonal summary on the NWS local offices' climate web sites. All I can see is the climate summary for each month. Also, I can use the NOWDATA to see the average value or each (single) month. I am just curious.

I use MRCC cli-MATE data portal. Josh may use something else. 

https://mrcc.purdue.edu/

[Brian D]

DLH Spring ranking

Max avg 48.5 (tied 30th warmest out of 83 unique avg's) 

Min avg 28.8 (tied 37th warmest out of 78 unique avg's)

Mean avg 38.7 (tied 29th warmest out of 73 unique avg's)

Precip 6.25" (58th driest out of 146 unique amounts)

Pretty mid range, so an average Spring within the record, and somewhat on the drier side.

[michsnowfreak]

15 hours ago, Chinook said:

How did you find the combined temperature average for Spring, and the ranking? I don't see any seasonal summary on the NWS local offices' climate web sites. All I can see is the climate summary for each month. Also, I can use the NOWDATA to see the average value or each (single) month. I am just curious.

 

4 hours ago, Brian D said:

I use MRCC cli-MATE data portal. Josh may use something else. 

https://mrcc.purdue.edu/

I use https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/

Very easy to rank different variables, years, etc. Ive used it for years. Excellent resource.