Weather in Nashville, Tennessee
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Overcast—91°63°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—90°66°
- TuesdayMay 19Drizzle41%89°69°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Showers72%83°67°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Showers57%75°64°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle56%82°67°
- SaturdayMay 23Drizzle60%78°68°
- PM 2.5
- 7.1 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 7.5 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 4.1 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 99.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:50 AM
- Moonset
- 1:12 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Nashville at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 73°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: March 24 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Nashville's peak warmth with mean temperatures around 79°F, while January delivers the year's coldest conditions at roughly 38°F. Precipitation follows its own calendar, with March bringing the heaviest rainfall at 5.4 inches and August marking the driest period at 3.7 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 4.7″ | 16 |
| February | 42° | 4.6″ | 15 |
| March | 50° | 5.4″ | 18 |
| April | 60° | 4.8″ | 16 |
| May | 68° | 5.3″ | 18 |
| June | 75° | 4.3″ | 14 |
| July | 79° | 4.3″ | 14 |
| August | 78° | 3.7″ | 12 |
| September | 72° | 4.2″ | 14 |
| October | 60° | 3.8″ | 13 |
| November | 49° | 3.8″ | 13 |
| December | 41° | 4.3″ | 14 |
Regional context
Nashville belongs to the humid subtropical climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions with other cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Memphis, TN, Knoxville, TN, Chattanooga, TN, Clarksville, TN, Murfreesboro, TN.
Naturalist notes
Late April brings the first blooms of redbud trees, their magenta flowers appearing before the leaves unfurl.
Wood thrushes return from their winter grounds in early May, their flute-like songs echoing through Nashville's woodlands.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Nashville?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-April in Nashville, while the first fall frost typically arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Nashville?
- March stands as the wettest month, delivering about 5.4 inches of rain on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 53 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Nashville?
- July typically records the year's highest temperatures, with averages around 79°F.
- What is the coldest month in Nashville?
- January brings the coldest temperatures, averaging about 38°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Nashville?
- Cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce can be planted around the time of the last spring frost in mid-April, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Nashville get?
- Nashville sees precipitation on about 177 days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Nashville?
- Nashville's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperatures; the USDA's online zone lookup tool provides the current designation when you enter the city's ZIP code.
Climate
Nashville, Tennessee experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. Winter temperatures in January typically hover near 38°F, while July brings averages around 79°F — creating a 41°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation in Nashville totals about 53 inches, distributed across roughly 177 rainy days throughout the year.
Geographic factors determine the city's weather patterns: its latitude at 36.2°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation all influence growing conditions, frost timing, and daily weather variations.