Tennessee Weather Radar

Tennessee climate

Tennessee has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The state stretches over 400 miles from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River floodplain in the west, creating notable climate differences across its length. Nashville receives about 47 inches of rain annually, with spring being the wettest season and fall the driest.

Tornadoes are a serious threat in Tennessee, particularly during spring when warm Gulf air clashes with cooler systems from the north and west. The Nashville area has been struck by several devastating tornadoes, including the March 2020 event that killed 25 people across Middle Tennessee. The state also experiences severe flooding, with the May 2010 Nashville flood causing over $2 billion in damage after two days of record rainfall.

The Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee have a unique climate with rainfall increasing dramatically with elevation, reaching over 85 inches per year at the highest ridges. This creates lush temperate rainforest conditions that support exceptional biodiversity. Western Tennessee near Memphis has a warmer, more humid climate with longer growing seasons. Winter weather across the state is variable, with the mountains receiving significant snowfall while the western lowlands rarely see more than a dusting.