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Weather & Climate in Ridgeside, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ridgeside enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°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 55.0 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 809 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.9°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 809 ft (247 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,335/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.0349°N, 85.2470°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Hamilton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Richard B Russell Regional - J H Towers Field (RMG) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 77.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
145 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 | 70 km | 20 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 128 km | 25 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 97 km | 0 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 127 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 41 km | 3 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 85 km | 1 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 131 km | 14 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 51 km | 26 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 137 km | 2 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 79 km | 20 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 27 km | 0 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 87 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 95 km | 25 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 68 km | 7 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 66 km | 18 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 23 km | 24 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 60 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 75 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
416 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 136 fatalities, 1,521 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 98 km | 36.6 mi | 25 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 37 km | 40.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 66 km | 30.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 81 km | 47.0 mi | 14 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 19 km | 48.0 mi | 20 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 88 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 68 km | 10.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 87 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 62 km | 29.5 mi | 9 |
| May 19, 1973 | EF4 | 78 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 69 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Feb 13, 1952 | EF4 | 98 km | 12.7 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 71 km | 12.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 11 km | 19.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 62 km | 13.5 mi | 4 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 48 km | 4.6 mi | 2 |
| Jan 30, 2013 | EF3 | 82 km | 21.8 mi | 1 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 13 km | 41.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 22, 2011 | EF3 | 76 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 92 km | 23.1 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 | 61 km |
| 2024 | RX - O63 CHESTNUT MTN | 4,570 | 60 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,213 | 36 km |
| 2021 | DUTCH CREEK | 3,845 | 62 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,539 | 99 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,933 | 79 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,908 | 52 km |
| 2023 | SMITH MOUNTAIN | 2,807 | 79 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,758 | 79 km |
| 1987 | STATEC0045 | 2,669 | 68 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,638 | 60 km |
| 2024 | RX - O11 TOWEE O12 WILDCAT | 2,597 | 76 km |
| 2024 | RX - O33 ROCK CREEK_SEED ORCHARD | 2,445 | 62 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,405 | 72 km |
| 2007 | WILDCAT BRANCH WFIRE | 2,285 | 76 km |
| 2018 | RUFF CREEK | 2,281 | 52 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,199 | 50 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,884 | 92 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,866 | 50 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,806 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 6.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 5.2 in |
Ridgeside has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.4") and October the driest (3.4").