Weather & Climate in Plainview, TN

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Plainview experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 299 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 54.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,135 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	54.2°F
	0% below US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,135 ft (346 m)
Area	2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²)
Population Density	357/sq mi
Coordinates	36.1807°N, 83.7933°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Union County County
Nearest Airport	Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.7"

44% above US avg

Snowfall 7.9"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.88"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.03"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	12.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	46.9 / 100
Community Resilience	13.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

165 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	125 km	17 km
May 10, 2025	21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee	M4.1	73 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	35 km	35 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	43 km	23 km
Sep 17, 2004	8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky	M3.7	86 km	1 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	100 km	10 km
Jun 17, 1998	9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee	M3.6	60 km	11 km
Jun 19, 2007	10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee	M3.5	148 km	1 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	91 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	14 km	17 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	54 km	2 km
Mar 18, 1995	10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee	M3.3	134 km	26 km
Aug 31, 2009	2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee	M3.3	54 km	14 km
Apr 11, 2006	5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee	M3.3	110 km	20 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	107 km	0 km
Mar 7, 2001	6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee	M3.2	118 km	7 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	132 km	5 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	29 km	17 km
May 10, 2006	3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee	M3.2	90 km	25 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	—	294 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

167 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 372 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	76 km	14.5 mi	0
Jul 27, 2014	EF3	36 km	4.7 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	98 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	90 km	15.8 mi	6
Mar 23, 2011	EF3	70 km	5.8 mi	0
Nov 10, 2002	EF3	74 km	8.3 mi	7
Feb 21, 1993	EF3	45 km	16.0 mi	0
Feb 21, 1993	EF3	69 km	30.0 mi	1
May 9, 1988	EF3	47 km	5.0 mi	1
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	80 km	13.0 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	79 km	12.2 mi	0
Mar 12, 1967	EF3	96 km	23.6 mi	0
Mar 12, 1967	EF3	62 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 2023	EF2	43 km	3.7 mi	0
Apr 8, 2021	EF2	57 km	1.3 mi	0
Apr 8, 2021	EF2	56 km	1.8 mi	0
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	46 km	2.6 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	79 km	16.9 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	99 km	8.8 mi	0
Apr 24, 2010	EF2	81 km	14.0 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	61 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	100 km
1987	UNNAMED	11,817	86 km
1987	UNNAMED	11,663	53 km
2016	STINKING CREEK	10,768	47 km
1987	UNNAMED	10,327	37 km
1987	UNNAMED	9,084	93 km
2024	RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE	8,324	98 km
2000	UNNAMED	8,064	47 km
2001	UNNAMED	7,907	78 km
2016	MAPLE SPRINGS	7,696	89 km
2001	COOL SPRINGS	7,477	94 km
2000	UNNAMED	6,590	53 km
1987	K-T FIRE	6,372	69 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	95 km
1987	UNNAMED	6,067	49 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	81 km
1987	UNNAMED	5,973	50 km
1987	UNNAMED	5,679	73 km
2000	UNNAMED	5,371	52 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	39°F (4°C)	3.9 in
March	47°F (8°C)	4.9 in	Wettest
April	55°F (13°C)	3.9 in
May	63°F (17°C)	4.8 in
June	71°F (22°C)	4.2 in
July	74°F (23°C)	4.7 in
August	74°F (23°C)	4.1 in	Warmest
September	68°F (20°C)	3.4 in
October	57°F (14°C)	3.0 in	Driest
November	47°F (8°C)	3.9 in
December	39°F (4°C)	4.2 in

Plainview has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 33°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 49.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (3.0").

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