Tennessee gets four distinct seasons. The weather swings a lot, so it helps to know what you’re getting into month by month. The state sits in the southeastern U.S., which means a humid subtropical climate—hot summers, mild winters, and unpredictable springs and falls.
Monthly weather in Tennessee shows temperatures from winter lows in the 30s to summer highs near 90°F. Rain falls pretty evenly through the year. Tennessee usually gets 40-50 inches of precipitation annually. May is often the wettest month, while August and September tend to dry out. Snow mostly falls between December and February, with the most piling up in January and February.
Knowing what the weather does each month helps travelers plan, farmers prep, and locals know what to wear. Every season brings something different, and the big cities—Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville—feel these changes in their own ways thanks to elevation and geography.
Overview of Tennessee’s Monthly Weather
Tennessee’s seasons feel pretty distinct, with big temperature jumps and shifting rainfall. The climate changes a lot from the mountains in the east to the flatter west, so you get a mix of weather across the state.
Key Climate Zones and Regional Variations
Tennessee covers a few climate zones, which leads to noticeable differences in weather. The eastern mountains, like around Mountain City and Gatlinburg, stay cooler all year than the west.
Eastern Mountains:
- January lows hit 6°C (43°F); summers reach 27°C (81°F)
- Higher elevations mean cooler temps
- Weather can change fast
Central Plains:
- Nashville sits here with moderate temperatures
- It’s a mix of mountain and western influences
- Seasons change in a pretty clear way
Western Lowlands:
- Memphis and nearby towns get the warmest weather
- January highs hit 10-11°C (50-52°F)
- Summers can go over 33°C (91°F)
Elevation differences can swing temperatures by as much as 5°C (9°F) between regions, even in the same month.
Monthly Temperature Patterns
Tennessee’s temperatures follow the seasons, with big differences between winter and summer. January stands out as the coldest month, while July and August bring the most heat.
Winter Months (December-February):
- January: Daytime highs reach 6-10°C (43-50°F)
- February: Highs climb to 7-11°C (45-52°F)
Spring Transition (March-May):
- March: 13-18°C (55-64°F), depending on where you are
- April: 19-24°C (66-75°F), usually pretty pleasant
- May: 23-27°C (73-81°F), warming up fast
Summer Peak (June-August):
- June-July: 27-33°C (81-91°F), hottest stretch
- August: About the same, but humidity cranks up
- Western areas stay warmer than the mountains
Fall Cooling (September-November):
- September: 24-30°C (75-86°F), starting to cool
- October: 18-23°C (64-73°F), nice and comfortable
- November: 13-17°C (55-63°F), cools down quickly
Precipitation Trends by Month
Rain falls pretty steadily all year, but some seasons get wetter. Spring usually brings the most rain and storms, while fall dries out a bit.
Wettest Periods:
- Spring months have lots of thunderstorms
- Late winter brings steady rain
- Summer sees afternoon and evening storms
Seasonal Distribution:
- Winter: Moderate rain, sometimes snow
- Spring: Most rain, lots of storms
- Summer: Thunderstorms pop up often
- Fall: Drier, but storms still happen sometimes
Regional Variations:
- Eastern mountains get more rain because of the terrain
- Western areas can get pretty dry at times
- Central Tennessee sees balanced rainfall
Most places get 75-125mm (3-5 inches) of rain each month. This steady precipitation keeps Tennessee’s ecosystems and farms going.
Month-by-Month Weather Breakdown
Tennessee gets all four seasons, with winter lows in the 20s and summer highs close to 90°F. Rain patterns shift through the year—spring is the wettest, and fall is usually the driest.
Winter Months: December to February
Winter temperatures in Tennessee usually run from 25°F to 50°F. Nashville’s highs hit around 47°F in December, with lows near 29°F in January.
Memphis stays a bit warmer since it’s farther south. Highs reach 52°F in December, and lows dip to 31°F in the coldest months.
Chattanooga gets December highs around 50°F. January brings the coldest weather, with lows down to 28°F.
Precipitation Patterns:
- December: 3-4 inches of rain
- January: 3-4 inches of rain
- February: 3-4 inches of rain
Snow falls now and then, but it rarely piles up much. Most spots get 2-6 inches a year, though East Tennessee’s higher elevations see more.
Winter storms sometimes bring ice and make roads dangerous. Usually, these icy spells last a day or two before temps warm up again.
Spring Months: March to May
Spring brings the most rain, along with frequent thunderstorms and tornadoes. Temperatures climb steadily from March to May in all the big cities.
March starts out cool, with highs near 60°F in Nashville and Memphis. Chattanooga feels about the same, and you might still get the odd late frost.
April warms up fast, with highs hitting 70°F across the state. This is when severe weather season really kicks in—strong storms are common.
May gets even warmer, with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. Nashville averages 79°F, and Memphis often reaches 81°F.
Monthly Rainfall Totals:
- March: 4-5 inches
- April: 4-5 inches
- May: 4-5 inches
April and May are peak months for severe weather. Tornadoes show up, especially in Middle and West Tennessee. Heavy rain can flood low spots.
Humidity creeps up as spring goes on, making it feel warmer than the thermometer says.
Summer Months: June to August
Summers in Tennessee are hot and muggy. Temps regularly top 85°F, and all three major cities get similar heat.
June kicks off the real heat, with Nashville averaging 84°F highs. Memphis gets up to 86°F, and Chattanooga stays close at 83°F.
July is the hottest month. Nashville and Memphis both hit 87°F, and the heat index often goes past 95°F because of the humidity.
August stays hot, about like July. Afternoon storms sometimes cool things off for a bit, but they also add to the humidity.
Summer Weather Characteristics:
- Humidity runs high (60-80%)
- Heat index is 5-10°F higher than the air temp
- Afternoon storms are common
- Rainfall: 3-4 inches a month
Nights rarely cool below 65°F, so it’s tough to get relief without air conditioning.
Sometimes, hot dry summers bring drought if the rain doesn’t keep up.
Autumn Months: September to November
Fall is probably Tennessee’s most comfortable season. Temperatures are mild and humidity drops. It’s also the driest time of year.
September stays warm, with highs in the low 80s in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga. Humidity falls, so it feels nicer.
October brings near-perfect weather—highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s. Rain usually drops to its lowest levels now.
November cools off more, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. The first frost usually shows up late October or early November.
Fall Weather Benefits:
- Low humidity
- Not much rain (2-3 inches a month)
- Great sleeping weather
- Lots of clear, sunny days
Severe storms rarely happen after September. Cold fronts can bring quick temperature drops, but not much in the way of storms.
The growing season wraps up with the first hard freeze, usually in mid to late November, depending on where you are.
Weather in Major Tennessee Cities
Tennessee’s three biggest cities each get their own kind of weather. Nashville sits in the middle, Memphis in the humid Mississippi valley, and Chattanooga in the southeast mountains.
Nashville Monthly Climate
Nashville has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Winters average 28°F to 48°F, with January as the coldest month.
Spring warms up quick, with highs moving from the mid-50s in March to the low 80s by May. Storms and heavy rain are common in this season.
Summer is hot and sticky. July is the peak, with daytime highs reaching 95°F and nights staying above 74°F.
Fall is the sweet spot in Nashville. October temps range from 44°F to 79°F, and rainfall drops off a lot.
Nashville gets over 50 inches of rain a year. Snow is rare and usually stays under 5 inches.
Memphis Weather Changes
Memphis sits out west along the Mississippi River. This makes the climate a bit warmer and wetter than other Tennessee cities.
Winter lows run between 22°F and 33°F. Snow is rare—usually less than 3 inches each year.
Spring heats up quickly from March to May. April highs hit the mid-70s, and May jumps into the 80s. Thunderstorms are frequent in spring.
Summer peaks in July and August. Highs often go over 90°F, and nights stay above 70°F. Humidity makes it feel even hotter.
Fall dries out in Memphis. September highs drop to the upper 80s. October brings comfortable weather in the 60s and 70s, and humidity drops.
Chattanooga Temperature Patterns
Chattanooga sits in southeast Tennessee, surrounded by mountains that shape its weather.
Winter can swing a lot, depending on elevation. Lows dip from 28°F to 35°F, and the mountains get more snow than the city itself.
Spring brings fast temperature changes. March highs reach the 60s, and May climbs to the low 80s. Mountain thunderstorms often pop up in the afternoons.
Summer is hot, but not quite as much as Memphis. July highs usually hit 90°F to 93°F. Mountain areas stay 5-10 degrees cooler.
Chattanooga’s fall weather is tough to beat. October temps go from the mid-40s to upper 70s. The mountains put on a great show of autumn colors through November.
Higher elevations around Chattanooga get 60-80 inches of rain each year, which is more than Nashville or Memphis.
Best Time to Visit Tennessee Based on Weather
Spring and fall give you the best weather in Tennessee—mild temps, lower humidity, and just good vibes overall. Summer is busy but hot, and winter means fewer crowds but colder weather.
Ideal Months for Outdoor Activities
April through May and September through October are the sweet spots for outdoor fun. Spring temps run 60°F to 80°F—perfect for hiking in the Smokies.
Fall feels just as nice, with 60°F to 75°F and less humidity. It’s a great time to get outside anywhere in the state.
Summer (June-August) brings 85°F to 90°F with high humidity. It’s good for water activities, but the heat can make long hikes tough.
Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga all follow these patterns. Spring wildflowers in the Smokies peak in April and May. Fall colors look their best from mid-September through October.
Winter drops to 30°F-50°F. Higher spots like Gatlinburg might get snow—not great for hiking, but good for winter sports.
Seasonal Events and Tourism Peaks
Peak tourist season hits during fall—September through November—when the leaves change. The Smokies get crowded, so book early.
Spring brings a moderate amount of visitors, with events like the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival and Knoxville’s Dogwood Arts Festival. The weather stays pleasant, and it’s not too hot.
Summer pulls in the biggest crowds. Nashville’s CMA Fest, Memphis in May, and Dollywood’s busiest season all happen now. High temps match the high visitor numbers.
Winter is the quietest time. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge run Winterfest celebrations, and Nashville and Memphis have plenty of indoor stuff to do. Hotels are cheaper, and the crowds thin out from December to February.
Weather really drives these tourism trends. Spring and fall make it easy to get outside and join festivals, while summer heat and winter cold can make things a bit tricky for visitors.
Factors Influencing Tennessee’s Weather
Tennessee sits between mountains and plains, and the warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico shapes its climate. These two big factors give the state its unique weather patterns and seasonal changes.
Role of Topography and Elevation
Tennessee’s landscape looks pretty different depending on where you are. The Appalachian Mountains in the east reach over 6,000 feet. Up there, you’ll notice cooler temperatures and a lot more precipitation than in the valleys.
Mount LeConte’s weather station stands at 6,493 feet above sea level. It usually gets about 76.8 inches of snow each year, but some years, more than 100 inches pile up.
Mountains here block weather systems that try to move from west to east. This creates a rain shadow effect on the eastern slopes. Out west, the land flattens out, and the lower elevations mean warmer temperatures and not much snow.
Prevailing westerly winds between 30°N and 60°N latitude sweep across Tennessee. In summer, the wind mostly comes from the southwest. But in winter, it shifts and blows from the northwest.
Rivers, along with big floodplains, pump extra moisture into Tennessee’s air. That added humidity sets the stage for thunderstorms and heavy rain events.
Impact of the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico sends warm, moist air north, and that air plays a huge role in Tennessee’s climate. This tropical air mass brings humidity to the state for much of the year.
The Gulf’s influence really kicks in during spring and summer. Hot, humid conditions show up when this warm air settles over Tennessee. Summer temperatures often climb into the 90s, thanks to all that moisture.
Thunderstorms pop up frequently because of this moisture. When warm Gulf air bumps into cooler air masses, the atmosphere gets unstable. These clashes can spark severe weather like tornadoes, flooding, and heavy rain.
March and April usually see the most rain. Gulf moisture meets cooler air systems, and the mix creates Tennessee’s wettest stretch of the year.
Sometimes, the leftovers of hurricanes drift across Tennessee. Even though these storms weaken as they move inland, they can still dump a lot of rain and whip up strong winds.
Travel Tips for Experiencing Tennessee’s Weather
Tennessee’s weather keeps you on your toes, so you’ll need different gear depending on the season. From snow boots in the mountains to a sun hat in the valleys, knowing what to expect makes travel a lot smoother.
Packing and Preparation by Season
Spring travelers should bring layers since temperatures can swing from 45°F to 75°F. You’ll want a waterproof jacket because rain and thunderstorms are common.
Good walking shoes with solid grip help on wet trails or slick city sidewalks. Honestly, an umbrella comes in handy for those surprise showers.
Summer visitors should stick with lightweight, breathable clothes and don’t forget sunscreen. Temperatures often hit 85°F to 90°F, and the humidity can feel relentless.
A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses make outdoor adventures way more comfortable. If you’re hiking or camping, insect repellent is a must.
Fall travelers will notice crisp mornings and warmer afternoons. Temperatures range from 40°F to 70°F, depending on where you are.
A warm jacket is smart for the mountains, where it gets chilly fast. Layering is the way to go since conditions change throughout the day.
Winter visitors should pack warm coats, gloves, and sturdy boots. Snow and ice can show up in the mountains, but the valleys usually stay milder.
If you’re camping or staying in a cabin, extra blankets are a good idea. Hand warmers can make outdoor time in freezing weather a little more bearable.
Weather-Related Safety Advice
Severe weather hits Tennessee pretty often, especially in spring and summer. Grab a weather app and keep an eye on local forecasts before you head outside.
When tornado sirens go off, get to shelter right away. Don’t try to outrun tornadoes in your car, no matter what you think.
Mountain weather can flip in an instant, any time of year. Always check conditions before you go hiking in the Smokies or any high-elevation spot.
If you notice clouds moving in fast or visibility dropping, turn back. Sometimes they close mountain roads during winter storms, so don’t get caught off guard.
Flash flooding pops up across Tennessee when heavy rain hits. Never drive through flooded roads, even if the water looks shallow—it’s not worth the risk.
If you’re camping near a stream or river, move to higher ground when rain gets intense. Just six inches of moving water can knock an adult down, believe it or not.
Heat safety gets really important during Tennessee summers. Drink water often, and take breaks in air conditioning when you can.
If you notice dizziness, nausea, or you’re sweating way more than usual, watch out for heat exhaustion. If things get worse, don’t wait—get medical help.