Weather & Climate in Walnut Hill, TN

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

Walnut Hill experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°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 45.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,705 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	53.7°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,705 ft (520 m)
Area	4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²)
Population Density	605/sq mi
Coordinates	36.5679°N, 82.2657°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Sullivan County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 63 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.9"

21% above US avg

Snowfall 12.4"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.61"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	71.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	44.8 / 100
Community Resilience	40.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

85 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	95 km	17 km
Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	108 km	1 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	115 km	23 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	145 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	73 km	2 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	35 km	5 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	135 km	17 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	123 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	132 km	17 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	91 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	133 km	14 km
Jan 17, 1999	7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky	M3.1	141 km	1 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	105 km	21 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	78 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	132 km	7 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	96 km	0 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	121 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	40 km	10 km
Jul 17, 2019	7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.0	125 km	13 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	24 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	—	233 km

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

Tornado History

95 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 16 fatalities, 212 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	65 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	30 km	19.6 mi	3
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	77 km	15.8 mi	6
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	42 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	44 km	8.4 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	32 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	50 km	8.8 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	61 km	1.7 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	51 km	1.1 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF2	87 km	15.0 mi	0
Jul 6, 1980	EF2	88 km	11.5 mi	0
Jan 25, 1975	EF2	50 km	3.2 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF2	55 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 12, 1967	EF2	76 km	16.0 mi	1
Apr 9, 1965	EF2	53 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 11, 1963	EF2	99 km	6.2 mi	1
Jun 3, 1962	EF2	7 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF2	43 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 5, 1955	EF2	55 km	4.3 mi	0
Sep 25, 2024	EF1	71 km	0.6 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (32,565 acres, 1987).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1987	UNNAMED	32,565	99 km
1991	UNNAMED	22,282	97 km
1991	UNNAMED	17,406	97 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,328	95 km
1994	UNNAMED	15,526	89 km
1987	UNNAMED	15,138	77 km
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	85 km
1999	UNNAMED	10,990	88 km
1987	UNNAMED	9,572	84 km
1991	UNNAMED	9,084	83 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,114	100 km
2001	UNNAMED	7,177	94 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	88 km
2016	LITTLE SHEPHERD TRAIL	6,751	87 km
2016	SILVER MINE	6,082	87 km
2001	UNNAMED	5,790	83 km
1991	BRADSHAW	5,029	93 km
2014	North Fork Rx	4,934	72 km
1987	KIWIS CREEK	4,879	92 km
1999	UNNAMED	4,756	97 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	3.4 in	Coldest
February	37°F (3°C)	3.5 in
March	46°F (8°C)	4.0 in
April	54°F (12°C)	3.6 in
May	62°F (17°C)	4.1 in
June	70°F (21°C)	3.9 in
July	73°F (23°C)	4.6 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	72°F (22°C)	3.7 in
September	67°F (19°C)	3.4 in
October	55°F (13°C)	2.9 in	Driest
November	46°F (8°C)	3.2 in
December	38°F (3°C)	3.4 in

Walnut Hill has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 34°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and October the driest (2.9").

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