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Weather & Climate in Sparta, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sparta enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°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 58.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 929 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 58.0°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 929 ft (283 m) |
| Area | 6.7 sq mi (17.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 731/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9347°N, 85.4726°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | White County County |
| Nearest Airport | Tullahoma Regional/Wm Northern Field (THA) 58 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 38.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 63.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.5 / 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 Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
143 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 141 km | 25 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 141 km | 35 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 97 km | 11 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 19 km | 1 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 125 km | 3 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 75 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 123 km | 14 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 110 km | 20 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 135 km | 2 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 107 km | 25 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 73 km | 18 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 107 km | 24 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 121 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 71 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 96 km | 8 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 134 km | 8 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 108 km | 8 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 126 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
402 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 122 fatalities, 1,195 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 3, 2020 | EF4 | 31 km | 8.4 mi | 19 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 66 km | 40.2 mi | 4 |
| Jan 24, 1997 | EF4 | 94 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 50 km | 18.8 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 80 km | 38.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 74 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 14 km | 28.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 99 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 78 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 94 km | 41.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF3 | 97 km | 9.4 mi | 4 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 92 km | 50.3 mi | 22 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 79 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 34 km | 12.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 84 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 71 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1997 | EF3 | 99 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF3 | 29 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1994 | EF3 | 81 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,675 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,675 | 65 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,635 | 58 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,213 | 71 km |
| 2009 | GOBBLERS KNOB B | 3,851 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,539 | 66 km |
| 2016 | WHITE OAK CIRCLE | 3,182 | 87 km |
| 2016 | SR116-DEVONIA | 3,077 | 98 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,638 | 49 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,355 | 72 km |
| 2000 | DARROW RDG | 2,265 | 82 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,084 | 47 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,782 | 100 km |
| 2016 | BRIDGE CREEK ROAD | 1,777 | 78 km |
| 2016 | BENCH BLUFF | 1,715 | 43 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,691 | 70 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,635 | 17 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,491 | 60 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,301 | 65 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,259 | 58 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,250 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 4.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 4.5 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 6.0 in | Wettest |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 5.4 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 5.0 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 5.6 in |
Sparta has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 38°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.0") and October the driest (3.5").