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Weather & Climate in Townsend, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Townsend experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 72°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 60.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,076 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 55.1°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,076 ft (328 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 286/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.6763°N, 83.7530°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Blount County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
179 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 | 26 km | 25 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 144 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 87 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 95 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 142 km | 1 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 53 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 65 km | 11 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 146 km | 1 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 125 km | 3 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 53 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 69 km | 17 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 75 km | 20 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 23 km | 2 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 111 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 35 km | 14 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 80 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 100 km | 18 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 60 km | 25 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 100 km | 7 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 84 km | 5 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 | — | 264 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
173 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 fatalities, 324 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 31 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 95 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 95 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 91 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 94 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF3 | 43 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 86 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 73 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 63 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 59 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 83 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF2 | 46 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2021 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2021 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF2 | 86 km | 11.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 80 km | 21.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 61 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 34 km | 16.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 69 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF2 | 49 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 79 km |
| 2016 | CHIMNEY TOPS 2 | 14,998 | 23 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 45 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 83 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 95 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 91 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 68 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 50 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 8,064 | 84 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 36 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 91 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 33 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,973 | 95 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,371 | 79 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 44 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,675 | 94 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 91 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 56 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,194 | 96 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,888 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 4.3 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 5.3 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 4.5 in |
Townsend has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 36°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 52.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.4") and October the driest (3.0").