NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Memphis was dry in July while rainfall in the Tri-Cities set an all-time record. Nashville almost caught up on annual rainfall.
National Weather Service meteorologist Danny Gant in Memphis said a stubborn high pressure ridge has taken up residence over western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. It blocks storm systems from moving into the Mississippi Valley. The farther away from the ridge, the better chances of rain.
As a result, the Tri-Cities area was swamped with 12.70 inches of rain in July -- a new record by 3 inches.
Nashville pulled to within 1.45 inches of normal annual rainfall.
But Memphis -- listed in extreme drought -- was 15.3 inches behind in rainfall year to date.
It was hot everywhere with all major cities in their individual Top 10s.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
