Weather & Climate in Knoxville, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Knoxville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. 56% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 919 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.9°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 919 ft (280 m) |
| Area | 104.2 sq mi (269.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,962/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9707°N, 83.9493°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Knox County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 48.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 56.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 61.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
174 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 | 48 km | 25 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 118 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 70 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 52 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 107 km | 1 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 40 km | 11 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 129 km | 1 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 84 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 41 km | 17 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 27 km | 14 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 108 km | 26 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 28 km | 2 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 83 km | 20 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 106 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 36 km | 17 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 91 km | 26 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 63 km | 25 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 94 km | 18 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 1 | - | 295 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
192 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 335 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 50 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 90 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 56 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 43 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 59 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 28 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 78 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 45 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 72 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 81 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 72 km | 12.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 79 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF2 | 19 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2021 | EF2 | 58 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2021 | EF2 | 57 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2020 | EF2 | 100 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF2 | 88 km | 11.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 72 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 74 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHIMNEY TOPS 2 (14,998 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY TOPS 2 | 14,998 | 51 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 82 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 48 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 58 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 56 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 72 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 8,064 | 47 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 64 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 6,590 | 74 km |
| 1987 | K-T FIRE | 6,372 | 78 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,067 | 72 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 68 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,973 | 58 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,679 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,371 | 45 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 63 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,675 | 73 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,400 | 82 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 59 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 5.3 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 5.3 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 5.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 5.9 in | Wettest |
Knoxville 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 December being the wettest month (5.9") and October the driest (3.1").