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Weather & Climate in Sewanee, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sewanee enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 75°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 64.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,884 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 57.4°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,884 ft (574 m) |
| Area | 3.9 sq mi (10.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 771/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.1979°N, 85.9215°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Grundy County County |
| Nearest Airport | Tullahoma Regional/Wm Northern Field (THA) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 18.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
113 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 | 83 km | 20 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 61 km | 0 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 105 km | 3 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 83 km | 1 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 132 km | 20 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 92 km | 26 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 105 km | 18 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 59 km | 0 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 47 km | 24 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 143 km | 25 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 105 km | 7 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 149 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 7 km | 8 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 103 km | 9 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 83 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 88 km | 3 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M3.1 | 84 km | 15 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 115 km | 8 km |
| Nov 1, 2009 | 1 km ESE of South Cleveland, Tennessee | M3.0 | 97 km | 25 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
546 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 152 fatalities, 2,237 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 90 km | 36.6 mi | 25 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 45 km | 30.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 64 km | 47.0 mi | 14 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 77 km | 48.0 mi | 20 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 48 km | 40.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 97 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 59 km | 10.9 mi | 1 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | EF4 | 83 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF4 | 90 km | 18.5 mi | 21 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 57 km | 27.5 mi | 11 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 98 km | 28.4 mi | 10 |
| May 19, 1973 | EF4 | 82 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 1952 | EF4 | 60 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 13, 1952 | EF4 | 34 km | 12.7 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 62 km | 12.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 64 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 67 km | 19.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 58 km | 13.5 mi | 4 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 61 km | 26.8 mi | 2 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 70 km | 41.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,213 acres, 2001).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,213 | 41 km |
| 1987 | STATEC0045 | 2,669 | 88 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,638 | 46 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,405 | 89 km |
| 2007 | WILDCAT BRANCH WFIRE | 2,285 | 92 km |
| 2018 | RUFF CREEK | 2,281 | 95 km |
| 2016 | BRIDGE CREEK ROAD | 1,777 | 33 km |
| 2014 | SOUTH EAST COMPLEX | 1,753 | 92 km |
| 2016 | BENCH BLUFF | 1,715 | 76 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,691 | 30 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,669 | 96 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,635 | 97 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 1,530 | 95 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,491 | 90 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,396 | 100 km |
| 2006 | RD07-09 | 1,394 | 90 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 1,271 | 22 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,259 | 91 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,250 | 66 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 1,236 | 56 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 5.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | Driest |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 5.4 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 5.8 in |
Sewanee has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 37°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and August the driest (3.8").