Weather & Climate in Franklin, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Franklin enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. 84% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 673 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 59.7°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 673 ft (205 m) |
| Area | 41.5 sq mi (107.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,921/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9140°N, 86.8522°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Williamson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Nashville International (BNA) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 84.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 85.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 135 km | 1 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 122 km | 8 km |
| Jan 2, 2000 | 4 km SW of Lester, Alabama | M2.9 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Jan 2, 2000 | 4 km SW of Lester, Alabama | M2.9 | 110 km | 13 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 7 km NW of Elkmont, Alabama | M2.8 | 105 km | 10 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 11 km S of Pulaski, Tennessee | M2.8 | 93 km | 20 km |
| Sep 20, 1990 | 6 km N of Elkmont, Alabama | M2.8 | 103 km | 4 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M2.8 | 123 km | 6 km |
| Jan 16, 2019 | 5 km SSE of Wartrace, Tennessee | M2.8 | 68 km | 7 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 17 km E of Olivet, Tennessee | M2.7 | 132 km | 2 km |
| Aug 13, 2022 | 6 km NW of Hazel Green, Alabama | M2.7 | 106 km | 13 km |
| Dec 8, 1997 | 6 km NE of Murfreesboro, Tennessee | M2.6 | 46 km | 0 km |
| Mar 22, 1990 | 9 km E of Rochester, Kentucky | M2.6 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jul 8, 2001 | 7 km SE of Franklin, Tennessee | M2.6 | 6 km | 0 km |
| Sep 9, 2000 | 10 km NNW of Kimball, Tennessee | M2.6 | 133 km | 6 km |
| Jun 1, 2019 | 4 km ESE of Manchester, Tennessee | M2.6 | 89 km | 6 km |
| Jun 21, 2023 | 6 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M2.5 | 122 km | 9 km |
| Mar 19, 2011 | 9 km SSE of New Market, Alabama | M2.5 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Aug 6, 1997 | 7 km WNW of Loretto, Tennessee | M2.5 | 107 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
555 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 83 fatalities, 1,531 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF4 | 17 km | 23.3 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | EF4 | 35 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 1988 | EF4 | 4 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 1970 | EF4 | 65 km | 42.6 mi | 3 |
| Feb 29, 1952 | EF4 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 13, 1952 | EF4 | 94 km | 12.7 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 36 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Dec 9, 2023 | EF3 | 92 km | 47.2 mi | 4 |
| Mar 3, 2020 | EF3 | 30 km | 60.1 mi | 5 |
| Apr 11, 2008 | EF3 | 87 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2008 | EF3 | 72 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 69 km | 50.3 mi | 22 |
| Apr 7, 2006 | EF3 | 46 km | 22.7 mi | 7 |
| Apr 7, 2006 | EF3 | 56 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 12 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 41 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2003 | EF3 | 76 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 72 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 47 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 22, 1999 | EF3 | 82 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCKHOUSE ROAD (791 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | ROCKHOUSE ROAD | 791 | 90 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 564 | 90 km |
| 2014 | MERIWETHER LEWIS | 513 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 5.2 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 5.2 in |
Franklin has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 39°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.4") and October the driest (3.5").