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Weather & Climate in Whitwell, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whitwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°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 63.2 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 650 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 54.9°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Area | 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 531/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.1924°N, 85.5215°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Marion County County |
| Nearest Airport | Tullahoma Regional/Wm Northern Field (THA) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 28.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
143 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 | 78 km | 20 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 145 km | 25 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 84 km | 0 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 132 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 70 km | 3 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 68 km | 1 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 59 km | 26 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 96 km | 20 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 142 km | 14 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 150 km | 2 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 25 km | 24 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 109 km | 25 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 39 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 72 km | 18 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 73 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 34 km | 8 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 48 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
446 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 154 fatalities, 1,753 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 98 km | 36.6 mi | 25 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 57 km | 30.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 76 km | 47.0 mi | 14 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 47 km | 48.0 mi | 20 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 19 km | 40.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 96 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 65 km | 10.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 88 km | 29.5 mi | 9 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 93 km | 28.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 92 km | 27.5 mi | 11 |
| May 19, 1973 | EF4 | 83 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1953 | EF4 | 77 km | 4.2 mi | 4 |
| Feb 29, 1952 | EF4 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 13, 1952 | EF4 | 71 km | 12.7 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 69 km | 12.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 99 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 37 km | 19.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 61 km | 13.5 mi | 4 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 73 km | 4.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 96 km | 26.8 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROUGH RIDGE (27,610 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROUGH RIDGE | 27,610 | 90 km |
| 2024 | RX - O63 CHESTNUT MTN | 4,570 | 87 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,213 | 12 km |
| 2021 | DUTCH CREEK | 3,845 | 88 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,539 | 100 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,933 | 98 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,908 | 82 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,758 | 98 km |
| 1987 | STATEC0045 | 2,669 | 80 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,638 | 35 km |
| 2024 | RX - O11 TOWEE O12 WILDCAT | 2,597 | 99 km |
| 2024 | RX - O33 ROCK CREEK_SEED ORCHARD | 2,445 | 85 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,405 | 83 km |
| 2007 | WILDCAT BRANCH WFIRE | 2,285 | 87 km |
| 2018 | RUFF CREEK | 2,281 | 75 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,199 | 76 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,866 | 77 km |
| 2016 | BRIDGE CREEK ROAD | 1,777 | 6 km |
| 2014 | SOUTH EAST COMPLEX | 1,753 | 87 km |
| 2016 | BENCH BLUFF | 1,715 | 51 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 6.7 in | Wettest |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 5.4 in | |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 5.4 in | |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.9 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 5.4 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 5.8 in |
Whitwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 35°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 60.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (3.9").