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Weather & Climate in Cookeville, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cookeville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 298 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 60.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,079 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.4°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 298 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,079 ft (329 m) |
| Area | 35.8 sq mi (92.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 994/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.1469°N, 85.5127°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Putnam County County |
| Nearest Airport | Nashville International (BNA) 65 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
117 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 137 km | 35 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 103 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 147 km | 3 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 42 km | 1 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 132 km | 14 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 96 km | 26 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 144 km | 2 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 128 km | 20 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 131 km | 24 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 89 km | 7 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 142 km | 26 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 122 km | 25 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 91 km | 18 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 117 km | 8 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 131 km | 8 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 149 km | 9 km |
| Nov 1, 2009 | 1 km ESE of South Cleveland, Tennessee | M3.0 | 127 km | 25 km |
| Sep 24, 1991 | 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 135 km | 13 km |
| Nov 10, 1992 | 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 136 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
392 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 118 fatalities, 1,040 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 3, 2020 | EF4 | 14 km | 8.4 mi | 19 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 90 km | 40.2 mi | 4 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | EF4 | 98 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 85 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 57 km | 38.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 57 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 41 km | 18.8 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 14 km | 28.4 mi | 10 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 96 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF3 | 77 km | 9.4 mi | 4 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 79 km | 50.3 mi | 22 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 83 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 46 km | 12.2 mi | 4 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 83 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 89 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 52 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 84 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF3 | 48 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 8 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1986 | EF3 | 77 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,675 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,675 | 73 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,635 | 43 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,213 | 95 km |
| 2009 | GOBBLERS KNOB B | 3,851 | 85 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,539 | 77 km |
| 2016 | WHITE OAK CIRCLE | 3,182 | 85 km |
| 2016 | SR116-DEVONIA | 3,077 | 99 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,638 | 72 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,355 | 65 km |
| 2000 | DARROW RDG | 2,265 | 71 km |
| 2000 | SCHOOLHOUS | 2,155 | 100 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,084 | 33 km |
| 1987 | LAUREL RDG | 1,969 | 91 km |
| 2009 | GOBBLERS KNOB A | 1,886 | 88 km |
| 2016 | BENCH BLUFF | 1,715 | 66 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,691 | 93 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,635 | 34 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,491 | 81 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,301 | 72 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,289 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 4.6 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 5.4 in |
Cookeville has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 37°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.8") and October the driest (3.4").