May Brings Warmer Temperatures, Wetter Conditions, and Aurora Borealis to the Midwest

July 16, 2024 // Article by: Shawn McGarrity

Chicago

May shaped up to be more on par compared to more recent months when it comes to precipitation. Over the course of the month, the city measured 4.06" of rainfall, a bit short of the typical 4.49" seen. While precipitation was on the under this month, temperatures continued the longer trend seen throughout the winter of fairing a couple degrees above normal. The overall average temperature for May was 64.8°F (4.2°F above normal).

The month started off on the quieter side with highs reaching into the 70s. Any initial settled pattern was short-lived, with storms returning to the area on the 2nd. Waves of showers and storms returned into the 3rd as well as highs cooled to the 60s.

After a break from the activity on both the 5th and 6th, unsettled weather returned on the 7th bringing with it the rainiest day of the month with 0.78" of rainfall. Some of the storms on the 7th were severe, mainly in the form of hail focused just south of downtown, though one EF-0 tornado was reported to the northwest near Harvard, IL. 

Tweet from @Cho1016 showing hail produced during May 7th event in Orland Park, IL. 

Temperatures were more variable approaching the middle of the month with highs alternating from the 80s to the 60s and back again following Mother's Day. While the holiday itself held dry, showers and storms returned on the 13th bringing with it locally heavy rainfall across the region. A couple more instances of showers / storms returned on the 14th and 16th before a quieter period developed. 

During the week from the 17th to the 23rd things trended drier than not with the only disturbance of note being some severe storms the afternoon of the 20th that brought with it some severe hail. Temperatures remained on the warmer side, consistently reaching into the 80s, with the 21st being the warmest day of the month at 89°F. 

Closing out the final week of May temperatures cooled a bit, with highs more consistent in the 70s. Some showers and storms returned to the picture bringing several rounds of unsettled conditions leading up to Memorial Day weekend. Storms on the 26th brought decent rainfall (~0.75") with less on the 28th. After this, quieter conditions settled in as we flipped the calendar over to June. 

Indianapolis

May ended up being wetter than normal for the Indianapolis area, with the month's total rainfall of 5.26" surpassing the normal of 4.75". Temperatures also trended higher than normal with an average temperature of 68.3°F (4.7°F above normal). 

Quiet, warm conditions welcomed in the month of May to the region, though this tranquil period was brief and was interrupted by showers working in on the 3rd. With it, high temperatures cooled into the 70s. Drier conditions returned shortly thereafter, though temperatures remained relatively cooler through this time. 

More showers and storms entered the picture starting on the 6th with more numerous activity moving in on the 7th. Scattered storms during the evening produced severe storms, with the main hazard being hail and damaging wind. A few tornadoes managed to develop as well, though the main risk missed to the east. A returning storm risk on the 8th largely held south of the city. 

 

Tornado near Richland, IN on May 7th.

A quieter stretch returned for Mother's Day weekend as highs held in the 70s. Thereafter, heavy rain showers impacted the area on the 14th bringing over an inch of rain in spots throughout the metropolitan area. This kept temperatures on the cooler side as highs struggled to warm out of the 60s. Rainy weather returned throughout the subsequent days. 

Heading into the back-half of the month saw a notable warming trend as high pressure brought a break from repeated storms. The city saw its warmest days on both the 19th and 21st as highs reached 87°F both days. More unsettled weather returned leading up to Memorial Day weekend with a few storms verging on severe on the 24th. 

More numerous storms on the 26th brought the highest rainfall totals of the month with 1.48" reported on that day. Beyond one last bout of showers and storms on the 28th, the month closed on a quieter note with highs steadily in the 70s. 

Ohio

Both Columbus and Cincinnati saw May bring warmer than normal temperatures and above average precipitation totals. In terms of precipitation, Columbus and Cincinnati measured 4.84" (normal 3.99") and 5.56" (normal 4.67") respectively. Average temperatures were 68.1°F (4.8°F above normal) in Columbus and 68.1°F (4°F above normal) in Cincinnati. 

After an initial quiet start with highs in the 80s, showers arrived in the area on the 3rd cooling things down to the 70s. Additional unsettled weather returned on the 4th with more prevalent activity both the 6th and 7th. The former was the wettest day of the month for Columbus (1.04") whereas the latter was for Cincinnati (2.05"). Active storms on the 7th brought severe weather in the form of strong winds and a few isolated tornadoes (one reported north of Cincinnati). 

A few returning bouts of showers and storms returned at times leading up to Mother's Day weekend, however the holiday itself remained dry for both cities. Temperatures remained seasonable as well with highs remaining in the 70s. 

Following a brief return of activity on the 14th and 16th, another prolonged duration of quieter weather returned starting on the 18th. Warmer air filtered in as highs reached well into the 80s. Both cities saw their warmest days of the month during this period, with Cincinnati reaching 88°F on the 19th and Columbus at 89°F on the 21st. 

More unsettled conditions returned leading up to Memorial Day weekend as temperatures held in the 80s before easing into the 70s by the holiday itself. Storms on the 26th were more impactful in the Cincinnati area with some strong winds. Beyond some spottier activity returning the 28th and 29th, things trended quieter as May came to a close. 

Aurora Borealis Event Mother's Day Weekend

In addition to the dynamic pattern experienced throughout the month, May offered a unique opportunity to see the aurora borealis (also known as the northern lights) as more active solar storms impacted our planet. With stronger intensities (the first G5 event since 2003), these lights, typically confined to the highest latitudes of the planet, could be seen well throughout the contiguous United States. Below are some pictures of the aurora throughout the Midwest:

Aurora captured just north of Indianapolis. 

 

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