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Weather & Climate in Oak Ridge, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Oak Ridge enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 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 55.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 945 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (4°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.1°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 945 ft (288 m) |
| Area | 90.0 sq mi (233.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 376/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9665°N, 84.2905°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Roane County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 71.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 44.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
176 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 | 54 km | 25 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 135 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 90 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 57 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 111 km | 1 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 71 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 10 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 122 km | 3 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 98 km | 1 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 110 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 62 km | 17 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 69 km | 20 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 26 km | 14 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 37 km | 2 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 84 km | 26 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 66 km | 17 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 49 km | 25 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 67 km | 14 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 68 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
219 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 43 fatalities, 640 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 53 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 94 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 78 km | 18.8 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 86 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 67 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 63 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 35 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 73 km | 12.2 mi | 4 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 29 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF3 | 84 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1994 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 19 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 63 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 7 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 86 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 6, 1986 | EF3 | 95 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 46 km | 12.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 98 km | 13.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 64 km | 13.0 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 | 78 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 98 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 30 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 55 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 64 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 71 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 8,064 | 36 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 72 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 6,590 | 79 km |
| 1987 | K-T FIRE | 6,372 | 70 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,067 | 82 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 91 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,973 | 50 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,371 | 25 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 62 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,675 | 42 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,635 | 88 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,400 | 86 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 70 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (4°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 4.3 in |
Oak Ridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 38°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (3.0").