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Weather & Climate in Chattanooga, TN

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Chattanooga enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 294 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 48.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 682 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average61.3°F
14% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days294 days/yr

Geography

Elevation682 ft (208 m)
Area144.6 sq mi (374.4 km²)
Population Density1,284/sq mi
Coordinates35.0660°N, 85.2484°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyHamilton County County
Nearest AirportRichard B Russell Regional - J H Towers Field (RMG)
50 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 48.5"
28% above US avg
Snowfall 0.4"
Wettest Month (Mar) 6.38"
Driest Month (Oct) 3.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score93.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability36.4 / 100
Community Resilience77.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

146 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Apr 29, 2003 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama M4.6 73 km 20 km
May 10, 2025 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee M4.1 126 km 25 km
Dec 8, 2001 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama M3.9 98 km 0 km
Jul 5, 1995 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee M3.7 103 km 10 km
Jun 17, 1998 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee M3.6 125 km 11 km
Jul 19, 1997 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia M3.5 42 km 3 km
Jun 19, 2007 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee M3.5 81 km 1 km
Aug 31, 2009 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee M3.3 129 km 14 km
Mar 18, 1995 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee M3.3 48 km 26 km
Apr 20, 2010 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee M3.3 135 km 2 km
Apr 11, 2006 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee M3.3 77 km 20 km
Mar 21, 2001 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia M3.2 30 km 0 km
Aug 1, 2009 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee M3.2 87 km 5 km
May 10, 2006 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee M3.2 93 km 25 km
Mar 7, 2001 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee M3.2 65 km 7 km
Mar 7, 2001 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee M3.2 63 km 18 km
May 6, 2010 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama M3.2 117 km 5 km
Apr 5, 1994 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia M3.2 25 km 24 km
May 10, 2020 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee M3.1 59 km 8 km
Apr 29, 2003 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama M3.1 78 km 3 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

414 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 110 fatalities, 1,505 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011 EF4 83 km 47.0 mi 14
Apr 27, 2011 EF4 34 km 40.2 mi 4
Apr 27, 2011 EF4 22 km 48.0 mi 20
Apr 27, 2011 EF4 67 km 30.2 mi 1
Apr 24, 2010 EF4 91 km 16.6 mi 0
Feb 6, 2008 EF4 70 km 10.9 mi 1
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 87 km 24.0 mi 4
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 66 km 29.5 mi 9
May 19, 1973 EF4 81 km 5.4 mi 0
May 2, 1953 EF4 66 km 4.2 mi 4
Feb 13, 1952 EF4 97 km 12.7 mi 3
May 8, 2024 EF3 73 km 12.3 mi 0
Apr 12, 2020 EF3 14 km 19.3 mi 2
Nov 30, 2016 EF3 64 km 13.5 mi 4
Nov 30, 2016 EF3 48 km 4.6 mi 2
Jan 30, 2013 EF3 85 km 21.8 mi 1
Mar 2, 2012 EF3 11 km 41.0 mi 0
Dec 22, 2011 EF3 80 km 11.4 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 95 km 23.1 mi 0
Apr 24, 2010 EF3 68 km 14.4 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROUGH RIDGE (27,610 acres, 2016).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2016 ROUGH RIDGE 27,610 62 km
2024 RX - O63 CHESTNUT MTN 4,570 61 km
2001 UNNAMED 4,213 34 km
2021 DUTCH CREEK 3,845 62 km
2000 UNNAMED 3,539 96 km
2022 UNNAMED 2,933 78 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,908 54 km
2023 SMITH MOUNTAIN 2,807 78 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,758 78 km
1987 STATEC0045 2,669 71 km
1999 UNNAMED 2,638 57 km
2024 RX - O11 TOWEE O12 WILDCAT 2,597 76 km
2024 RX - O33 ROCK CREEK_SEED ORCHARD 2,445 61 km
2006 UNNAMED 2,405 75 km
2007 WILDCAT BRANCH WFIRE 2,285 79 km
2018 RUFF CREEK 2,281 56 km
2021 UNNAMED 2,199 53 km
2014 UNNAMED 1,884 92 km
2016 UNNAMED 1,866 54 km
2014 UNNAMED 1,806 77 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 46°F (8°C) 5.4 in
February 43°F (6°C) 5.1 in
March 51°F (11°C) 6.4 in Wettest
April 59°F (15°C) 4.7 in
May 67°F (20°C) 4.7 in
June 75°F (24°C) 4.1 in
July 78°F (26°C) 5.0 in Warmest
August 77°F (25°C) 3.7 in
September 71°F (22°C) 4.4 in
October 60°F (16°C) 3.4 in Driest
November 50°F (10°C) 4.8 in
December 42°F (6°C) 5.2 in Coldest

Chattanooga has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 42°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.4") and October the driest (3.4").

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