Knoxville, TN Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Knoxville
A 22°C spread between its warmest and coolest months puts Knoxville among the more strongly seasonal places we cover. July averages 88°F (31°C) by day; January averages 47°F (9°C), with nights at 31°F (0°C).
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: July - highs near 88°F (31°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 47°F (9°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 100°F (38°C) high · -1°F (-18°C) low
- Wettest month: February (12 rainy days) · Sunniest: June (11.9 h sun/day)
- Climate type: humid subtropical
- Annual swing: 22°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 10°C
- Snow: about 4 days a year
- Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 2
- Average humidity: 72%
Temperatures through the year
January is the coolest month, with highs of 47°F (9°C) and lows near 31°F (0°C). At its warmest, in July, Knoxville runs to 88°F (31°C) in the afternoon and back to 70°F (21°C) by dawn. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 100°F (38°C) and bottoms at -1°F (-18°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records. June is the brightest month at 11.9 hours of sun a day, against an annual average of 9.0.
Rain, sun and snow
Average lows drop to freezing in one month of the year, January. Days and nights are about 10°C apart on average - wider than roughly 76% of the cities we track. Precipitation concentrates in February - 6.0 inches (152 mm) on 12 days - and thins out by October. Snow falls on roughly 4 days a year, mostly December through February.
How Knoxville compares
- Knoxville sits close to the middle of our dataset on most measures: 60°F (15°C) as an annual average, 50.3 inches (1279 mm) of precipitation and 9.0 hours of sun a day.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47° | 31° | 12 | 4.4 in | 6.2 h/day | 73% |
| February | 54° | 35° | 12 | 6.0 in | 6.4 h/day | 73% |
| March | 61° | 41° | 12 | 5.1 in | 8.1 h/day | 70% |
| April | 69° | 48° | 11 | 4.4 in | 9.8 h/day | 69% |
| May | 78° | 58° | 12 | 3.8 in | 10.8 h/day | 72% |
| June | 85° | 66° | 12 | 3.3 in | 11.9 h/day | 69% |
| July | 88° | 70° | 15 | 4.0 in | 11.7 h/day | 73% |
| August | 86° | 69° | 13 | 4.3 in | 11.1 h/day | 74% |
| September | 83° | 64° | 9 | 3.4 in | 10.1 h/day | 70% |
| October | 72° | 53° | 7 | 3.2 in | 9.0 h/day | 71% |
| November | 60° | 41° | 8 | 3.5 in | 7.5 h/day | 72% |
| December | 53° | 36° | 11 | 5.1 in | 5.8 h/day | 77% |
Knoxville month by month
Knoxville weather in January
January brings highs around 47°F (9°C), lows near 31°F (0°C), about 12 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days - typically the coldest month of the year in Knoxville.
Knoxville weather in February
February brings highs around 54°F (12°C), lows near 35°F (2°C), about 12 wet days and roughly 1 snowy days - typically the wettest month of the year in Knoxville.
Knoxville weather in March
March brings highs around 61°F (16°C), lows near 41°F (5°C), about 12 wet days.
Knoxville weather in April
April brings highs around 69°F (20°C), lows near 48°F (9°C), about 11 wet days.
Knoxville weather in May
May brings highs around 78°F (25°C), lows near 58°F (15°C), about 12 wet days.
Knoxville weather in June
June brings highs around 85°F (30°C), lows near 66°F (19°C), about 12 wet days - typically the sunniest month of the year in Knoxville.
Knoxville weather in July
July brings highs around 88°F (31°C), lows near 70°F (21°C), about 15 wet days - typically the hottest month of the year in Knoxville.
Knoxville weather in August
August brings highs around 86°F (30°C), lows near 69°F (20°C), about 13 wet days.
Knoxville weather in September
September brings highs around 83°F (28°C), lows near 64°F (18°C), about 9 wet days.
Knoxville weather in October
October brings highs around 72°F (22°C), lows near 53°F (11°C), about 7 wet days - typically the driest month of the year in Knoxville.
Knoxville weather in November
November brings highs around 60°F (16°C), lows near 41°F (5°C), about 8 wet days.
Knoxville weather in December
December brings highs around 53°F (11°C), lows near 36°F (2°C), about 11 wet days.
Seasons in Knoxville
Spring (March through May)
Through spring, Knoxville settles into easy warmth: 69°F (21°C) by day, 49°F (9°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 35 of the 90 days.
Summer (June through August)
Summer in Knoxville is hot, with daytime highs averaging 87°F (30°C) and nights around 68°F (20°C); rain falls on around 40 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 11.6 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
Fall (September through November)
Through fall, Knoxville brings comfortable warmth: 72°F (22°C) by day, 53°F (11°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 24 days across the season.
Winter (December through February)
Through winter, Knoxville is brisk and cold: 51°F (11°C) by day, 34°F (1°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 35 of the 90 days, plus about 4 snowy days.
Climate questions, answered
How cold does Knoxville get in winter?
How many hot months does Knoxville have?
How much do temperatures drop at night in Knoxville?
How warm is Knoxville on average?
Does it freeze in Knoxville?
Best time to visit Knoxville
Aim for September to November and April if you get the choice: warm days, manageable rainfall and plenty of daylight line up, and highs average 71°F (22°C) against roughly 9 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in September.
Pack for Knoxville with light clothing for the warm months, a warm jacket and layers for the cooler season and a compact umbrella or rain shell. July nights average 70°F (21°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.
Knoxville temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.