Weather & Climate in Rutledge, TN

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

Rutledge 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 1,026 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	1,026 ft (313 m)
Area	5.5 sq mi (14.3 km²)
Population Density	275/sq mi
Coordinates	36.2744°N, 83.5327°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Grainger County County
Nearest Airport	Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 41 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.7"

44% above US avg

Snowfall 7.9"

Wettest Month (May) 4.80"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	18.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	72.5 / 100
Community Resilience	13.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

153 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	105 km	17 km
May 10, 2025	21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee	M4.1	91 km	25 km
Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	75 km	1 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	27 km	23 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	48 km	35 km
Sep 17, 2004	8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky	M3.7	84 km	1 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	119 km	10 km
Jun 17, 1998	9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee	M3.6	86 km	11 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	149 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	90 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	18 km	17 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	74 km	2 km
Aug 31, 2009	2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee	M3.3	77 km	14 km
Apr 11, 2006	5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee	M3.3	133 km	20 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	98 km	0 km
Jan 27, 2009	4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky	M3.2	77 km	26 km
May 10, 2006	3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee	M3.2	113 km	25 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	31 km	17 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	103 km	0 km
Mar 7, 2001	5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee	M3.2	144 km	18 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	—	281 km

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

Tornado History

168 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 357 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	95 km	14.5 mi	0
Jul 27, 2014	EF3	45 km	4.7 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	77 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	70 km	15.8 mi	6
Mar 23, 2011	EF3	93 km	5.8 mi	0
Nov 10, 2002	EF3	100 km	8.3 mi	7
Feb 21, 1993	EF3	94 km	30.0 mi	1
Feb 21, 1993	EF3	70 km	16.0 mi	0
May 9, 1988	EF3	41 km	5.0 mi	1
Apr 3, 1974	EF3	98 km	13.0 mi	0
Mar 12, 1967	EF3	69 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 2023	EF2	68 km	3.7 mi	0
Apr 8, 2021	EF2	76 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 8, 2021	EF2	78 km	1.3 mi	0
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	37 km	2.6 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	75 km	8.8 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	98 km	16.9 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	80 km	4.5 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	21 km	2.2 mi	0
Nov 10, 2002	EF2	60 km	5.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (15,138 acres, 1987).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1987	UNNAMED	15,138	81 km
2016	CHIMNEY TOPS 2	14,998	65 km
1987	UNNAMED	11,817	79 km
1987	UNNAMED	11,663	76 km
2016	STINKING CREEK	10,768	63 km
1987	UNNAMED	10,327	45 km
1987	UNNAMED	9,084	78 km
2000	UNNAMED	8,064	68 km
2001	UNNAMED	7,907	65 km
2001	COOL SPRINGS	7,477	85 km
2016	LITTLE SHEPHERD TRAIL	6,751	84 km
2000	UNNAMED	6,590	57 km
1987	K-T FIRE	6,372	82 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	78 km
1987	UNNAMED	6,067	49 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	86 km
1987	UNNAMED	5,973	68 km
1987	UNNAMED	5,679	63 km
2000	UNNAMED	5,371	76 km
1991	OTTER	4,923	81 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)	3.8 in
March	47°F (8°C)	4.8 in
April	55°F (13°C)	3.9 in
May	63°F (17°C)	4.8 in	Wettest
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)	3.3 in
October	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in	Driest
November	47°F (8°C)	3.8 in
December	39°F (4°C)	4.1 in

Rutledge has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 33°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 48.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (2.9").

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