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Weather & Climate in Big Sandy, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Sandy enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 299 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 51.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 380 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.3°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 380 ft (116 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 935/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.2327°N, 88.0851°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Benton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Everett-Stewart Regional (UCY) 51 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 65.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
258 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 109 km | 3 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 125 km | 15 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 139 km | 8 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 125 km | 8 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 129 km | 8 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 122 km | 14 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 144 km | 9 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 112 km | 19 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 117 km | 8 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 120 km | 4 km |
| May 1, 2016 | 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois | M3.5 | 136 km | 16 km |
| Sep 9, 2016 | 9 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Apr 28, 1993 | 8 km SSE of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.4 | 122 km | 7 km |
| Aug 29, 1990 | 9 km WSW of Central, Tennessee | M3.4 | 149 km | 15 km |
| Sep 26, 1994 | 4 km ENE of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.4 | 110 km | 13 km |
| Nov 6, 2009 | 6 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.4 | 119 km | 9 km |
| Aug 12, 2013 | 7 km S of Hornbeak, Tennessee | M3.3 | 109 km | 4 km |
| Jun 17, 2012 | 6 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 131 km | 8 km |
| Sep 27, 2019 | 4 km WSW of Howardville, Missouri | M3.3 | 144 km | 8 km |
| May 16, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.3 | 117 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
498 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 111 fatalities, 1,450 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 98 km | 168.5 mi | 57 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF4 | 93 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1999 | EF4 | 75 km | 6.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 99 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1971 | EF4 | 65 km | 50.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 27, 1970 | EF4 | 89 km | 42.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1968 | EF4 | 48 km | 50.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 4, 1964 | EF4 | 61 km | 18.5 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 80 km | 11.6 mi | 3 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 98 km | 34.1 mi | 1 |
| Dec 9, 2023 | EF3 | 67 km | 47.2 mi | 4 |
| May 10, 2016 | EF3 | 83 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2011 | EF3 | 70 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2006 | EF3 | 72 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 85 km | 29.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 87 km | 31.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 87 km | 8.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 70 km | 44.0 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 69 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 26, 2001 | EF3 | 15 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
15 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DEVILS BACKBONE RX (3,215 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | DEVILS BACKBONE RX | 3,215 | 31 km |
| 2010 | FRANKLIN CREEK RX | 2,828 | 66 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,282 | 66 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,837 | 49 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 51 km |
| 2024 | LBL - NWDA UNIT 3 RX | 1,187 | 72 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,167 | 82 km |
| 2010 | BUFFALO TRAIL (NORTH) RX | 959 | 46 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 917 | 84 km |
| 2006 | CLAY CREEK | 896 | 42 km |
| 2007 | ROCKHOUSE ROAD | 791 | 83 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 750 | 88 km |
| 2010 | SCHOOLHOUSE RX | 722 | 59 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 564 | 99 km |
| 2014 | MERIWETHER LEWIS | 513 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 4.5 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 4.9 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 5.3 in |
Big Sandy has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 38°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.4") and October the driest (3.4").