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Weather & Climate in Rocky Top, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rocky Top enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°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 57.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 903 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 55.6°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 903 ft (275 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,130/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.2249°N, 84.1548°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Anderson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 73.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 49.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 55.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively 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
164 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 | 141 km | 17 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 77 km | 25 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 105 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 63 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 26 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 80 km | 1 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 38 km | 11 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 119 km | 1 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 117 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 38 km | 17 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 114 km | 26 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 57 km | 2 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 50 km | 14 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 100 km | 20 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 61 km | 26 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 80 km | 25 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 99 km | 18 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 61 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
206 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 580 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 78 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 72 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 83 km | 18.8 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 89 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 97 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 32 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 63 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 46 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 92 km | 12.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 24 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 50 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 94 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 55 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 92 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 46 km | 12.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 49 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 79 km | 13.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 74 km | 23.6 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 | 84 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 87 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 21 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 26 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 33 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 8,064 | 14 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 7,907 | 87 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 95 km |
| 2001 | COOL SPRINGS | 7,477 | 96 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 6,590 | 48 km |
| 1987 | K-T FIRE | 6,372 | 45 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,067 | 50 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,973 | 24 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,679 | 79 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,371 | 20 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 89 km |
| 1991 | OTTER | 4,923 | 93 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,675 | 63 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,635 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 47°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.7 in | |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 4.1 in |
Rocky Top has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 35°F in January to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 48.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.1").