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Weather & Climate in Palmer, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Palmer experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°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 63.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,846 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 54.9°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,846 ft (563 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 149/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3576°N, 85.5656°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Grundy County County |
| Nearest Airport | Tullahoma Regional/Wm Northern Field (THA) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 18.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
143 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Apr 29, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M4.6 | 96 km | 20 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 145 km | 25 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 94 km | 0 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 125 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 82 km | 3 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 52 km | 1 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 57 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 139 km | 14 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 98 km | 20 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 147 km | 2 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 44 km | 24 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 135 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 108 km | 25 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 58 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 68 km | 7 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 68 km | 18 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 38 km | 8 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 61 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
462 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 145 fatalities, 1,735 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 3, 2020 | EF4 | 91 km | 8.4 mi | 19 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 13 km | 40.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 70 km | 30.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 90 km | 47.0 mi | 14 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 64 km | 48.0 mi | 20 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 80 km | 10.9 mi | 1 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | EF4 | 97 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 75 km | 28.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 94 km | 27.5 mi | 11 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 73 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Feb 29, 1952 | EF4 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 13, 1952 | EF4 | 69 km | 12.7 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 84 km | 12.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 54 km | 19.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 81 km | 4.6 mi | 2 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 77 km | 13.5 mi | 4 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 98 km | 26.8 mi | 2 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 45 km | 41.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF3 | 93 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2003 | EF3 | 93 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,675 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,675 | 97 km |
| 2024 | RX - O63 CHESTNUT MTN | 4,570 | 97 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,213 | 10 km |
| 2021 | DUTCH CREEK | 3,845 | 97 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,539 | 91 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,908 | 94 km |
| 1987 | STATEC0045 | 2,669 | 99 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,638 | 16 km |
| 2024 | RX - O33 ROCK CREEK_SEED ORCHARD | 2,445 | 92 km |
| 2018 | RUFF CREEK | 2,281 | 93 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,199 | 94 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,866 | 95 km |
| 2016 | BRIDGE CREEK ROAD | 1,777 | 13 km |
| 2016 | BENCH BLUFF | 1,715 | 39 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,691 | 7 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,669 | 95 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,635 | 65 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 1,530 | 94 km |
| 2023 | HOG BACK | 1,491 | 100 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,491 | 54 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 5.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 47°F (9°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 5.5 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 56°F (14°C) | 3.9 in | Driest |
| November | 47°F (9°C) | 5.4 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 5.8 in |
Palmer has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 35°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 61.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and October the driest (3.9").