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Weather & Climate in Carthage, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Carthage enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°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 52.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 542 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.5°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 542 ft (165 m) |
| Area | 2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 817/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.2566°N, 85.9429°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Smith County County |
| Nearest Airport | Nashville International (BNA) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 18.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
42 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 144 km | 11 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 73 km | 1 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 130 km | 26 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 128 km | 18 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 126 km | 7 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 149 km | 24 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 124 km | 8 km |
| Jun 8, 2014 | 8 km WNW of Dayton, Tennessee | M2.8 | 112 km | 14 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M2.8 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Jan 16, 2019 | 5 km SSE of Wartrace, Tennessee | M2.8 | 92 km | 7 km |
| Oct 22, 2017 | 9 km SSE of Rockwood, Tennessee | M2.8 | 128 km | 24 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 11 km NNE of Decatur, Tennessee | M2.7 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2015 | 2 km E of Dayton, Tennessee | M2.6 | 121 km | 14 km |
| Sep 9, 2000 | 10 km NNW of Kimball, Tennessee | M2.6 | 126 km | 6 km |
| Jul 8, 2001 | 7 km SE of Franklin, Tennessee | M2.6 | 88 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 1991 | 12 km S of Rockwood, Tennessee | M2.6 | 127 km | 6 km |
| Oct 14, 2002 | 6 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M2.6 | 127 km | 3 km |
| Dec 8, 1997 | 6 km NE of Murfreesboro, Tennessee | M2.6 | 55 km | 0 km |
| Mar 22, 1990 | 9 km E of Rochester, Kentucky | M2.6 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1990 | 3 km ENE of Harriman, Tennessee | M2.6 | 132 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
517 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 146 fatalities, 1,676 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 3, 2020 | EF4 | 27 km | 8.4 mi | 19 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF4 | 99 km | 23.3 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | EF4 | 73 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 1988 | EF4 | 94 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 67 km | 38.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 83 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 77 km | 18.8 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 42 km | 28.4 mi | 10 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 95 km | 29.3 mi | 16 |
| Mar 3, 2020 | EF3 | 91 km | 60.1 mi | 5 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF3 | 45 km | 9.4 mi | 4 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 38 km | 50.3 mi | 22 |
| Apr 7, 2006 | EF3 | 75 km | 22.7 mi | 7 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 86 km | 12.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 68 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 75 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 90 km | 42.1 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 72 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,635 acres, 2001).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,635 | 74 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,638 | 90 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,084 | 68 km |
| 2016 | BENCH BLUFF | 1,715 | 97 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,635 | 71 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,247 | 92 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 1,236 | 78 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,201 | 96 km |
| 2009 | LOWER FORD RD | 1,108 | 84 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,083 | 92 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 86 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 848 | 76 km |
| 2021 | GOULDSTOWN ROAD | 761 | 87 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 683 | 81 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 673 | 91 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 632 | 83 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 616 | 83 km |
| 2022 | SAND MINE | 610 | 95 km |
| 2006 | GATEWOOD FORD ROAD | 589 | 98 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 508 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | |
| May | 65°F (19°C) | 5.1 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 5.4 in |
Carthage has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 38°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.6") and October the driest (3.4").