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Weather & Climate in Unicoi, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Unicoi experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 305 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 47.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,913 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 55.4°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,913 ft (583 m) |
| Area | 16.4 sq mi (42.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 236/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.2218°N, 82.3292°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Unicoi County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 49 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 10.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 54.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
90 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 | 121 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 123 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 114 km | 23 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 96 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 112 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 126 km | 17 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 87 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 113 km | 17 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 113 km | 14 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 117 km | 0 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 95 km | 21 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 85 km | 9 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 97 km | 0 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 111 km | 7 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 54 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 44 km | 2 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 120 km | 13 km |
| Apr 5, 2005 | 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee | M2.9 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 60 km | 16 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 | — | 203 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
136 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 234 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 94 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 36 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 48 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 59 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 3 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 79 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 100 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 36 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 34 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF2 | 74 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF2 | 66 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1980 | EF2 | 92 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1979 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1976 | EF2 | 86 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 80 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 85 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF2 | 32 km | 0.2 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 | 97 km |
| 2000 | BRUSHY RIDGE | 12,405 | 56 km |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 84 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 58 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 90 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 54 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 88 km |
| 2022 | LOST BEAR RX FY2022 | 4,276 | 58 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 59 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 3,789 | 97 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 59 km |
| 2001 | LARMAN | 3,072 | 57 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 57 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,680 | 84 km |
| 2000 | TIPTON HILL | 2,661 | 18 km |
| 2016 | HALLS TOP | 2,464 | 83 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,242 | 58 km |
| 2010 | BROWN GAP CREEK-A | 2,210 | 76 km |
| 2013 | LOST BEAR EAST | 2,167 | 58 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,026 | 22 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 3.4 in |
Unicoi has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 36°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.1").