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Weather & Climate in Riceville, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Riceville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°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 60.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 872 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (4°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.8°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 872 ft (266 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 356/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3895°N, 84.6989°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | McMinn County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 49 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
192 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 | 131 km | 20 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 67 km | 25 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 131 km | 35 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 49 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 68 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 50 km | 3 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 75 km | 1 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 136 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 133 km | 17 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 20 km | 20 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 22 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 68 km | 14 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 73 km | 2 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 86 km | 24 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 32 km | 25 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 20 km | 18 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 122 km | 14 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 124 km | 17 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 23 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
306 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 77 fatalities, 1,165 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 72 km | 48.0 mi | 20 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 66 km | 40.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 61 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 61 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 16 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 71 km | 19.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 31 km | 4.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 51 km | 41.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 52 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 72 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 67 km | 12.2 mi | 4 |
| Mar 29, 1997 | EF3 | 32 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1997 | EF3 | 68 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF3 | 64 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1994 | EF3 | 28 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 81 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 55 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 19 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 1986 | EF3 | 21 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 8 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROUGH RIDGE (27,610 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROUGH RIDGE | 27,610 | 54 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 97 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 100 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 53 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 70 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,371 | 92 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 52 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,675 | 60 km |
| 2024 | RX - O63 CHESTNUT MTN | 4,570 | 43 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 55 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,213 | 72 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,888 | 52 km |
| 2021 | DUTCH CREEK | 3,845 | 40 km |
| 2019 | COW CAMP | 3,786 | 58 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,539 | 49 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,298 | 99 km |
| 2016 | WHITE OAK CIRCLE | 3,182 | 93 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 63 km |
| 2016 | SR116-DEVONIA | 3,077 | 85 km |
| 2010 | COW CAMP-A | 2,953 | 57 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (4°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 49°F (10°C) | 6.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 5.5 in |
Riceville has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 38°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.2") and October the driest (3.5").