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Weather & Climate in Jefferson City, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Jefferson City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 305 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). The area receives 3.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. 91% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,127 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.9°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,127 ft (344 m) |
| Area | 6.4 sq mi (16.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,209/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.1208°N, 83.4833°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jefferson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 91.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
159 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Nov 10, 2012 | 6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky | M4.2 | 120 km | 17 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 79 km | 25 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 91 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 60 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 44 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 102 km | 1 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 84 km | 11 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 72 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 30 km | 17 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 69 km | 14 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 64 km | 2 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 123 km | 20 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 82 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 139 km | 18 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 105 km | 25 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 15 km | 17 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 18 km | 14 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 139 km | 7 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 139 km | 5 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 | 268 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
157 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 269 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 83 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 59 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 70 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 61 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 85 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 70 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 90 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 58 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF2 | 64 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2021 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2021 | EF2 | 86 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 54 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 73 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 86 km | 16.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF2 | 95 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 88 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 39 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF2 | 65 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1984 | EF2 | 89 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: UNNAMED (15,138 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 94 km |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY TOPS 2 | 14,998 | 48 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 92 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 97 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 82 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 74 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 59 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 94 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 8,064 | 75 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 7,907 | 83 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 91 km |
| 2016 | LITTLE SHEPHERD TRAIL | 6,751 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 6,590 | 73 km |
| 1987 | K-T FIRE | 6,372 | 95 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 67 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,067 | 66 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 69 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,973 | 78 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,679 | 81 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,371 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 47°F (9°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| November | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 4.0 in |
Jefferson City has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 36°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (2.6").