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Weather & Climate in Gatlinburg, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gatlinburg has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. The area gets 302 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 84.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 76.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,451 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-4°C)
58°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 42.2°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,451 ft (442 m) |
| Area | 3.9 sq mi (10.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 349/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7250°N, 83.4938°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sevier County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
169 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 49 km | 25 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 135 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 92 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 88 km | 23 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 75 km | 10 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 142 km | 1 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 85 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 147 km | 3 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 35 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 67 km | 17 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 46 km | 2 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 98 km | 20 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 135 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 57 km | 14 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 58 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 28 km | 14 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 124 km | 7 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 124 km | 18 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 84 km | 25 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 31 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 246 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
167 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 295 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 55 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 94 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 71 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 83 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 67 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 84 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 76 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 97 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 100 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF2 | 64 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 84 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 99 km | 21.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 92 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 95 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 57 km | 16.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF2 | 73 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 82 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF2 | 83 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1984 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 82 km |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY TOPS 2 | 14,998 | 4 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 48 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 98 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 94 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 75 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 71 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 8,064 | 95 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 54 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 67 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 25 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,371 | 94 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 66 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 91 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 76 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,888 | 67 km |
| 2019 | COW CAMP | 3,786 | 61 km |
| 2016 | CAMP BRANCH | 3,234 | 61 km |
| 2023 | PANTHER KNOB | 3,170 | 67 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-4°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 5.3 in | |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 4.4 in |
Gatlinburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 26°F in January to 72°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 53.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.4") and October the driest (3.1").