Weather in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:47 AM
- Moonset
- 1:03 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Chattanooga at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 17 (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
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Chattanooga's warmest temperatures (~81°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~42°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in March (5.3 inches) and drops to its lowest point in October (3.6 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 5.0″ | 7 |
| February | 46° | 5.0″ | 7 |
| March | 53° | 5.3″ | 8 |
| April | 62° | 4.9″ | 8 |
| May | 70° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| June | 77° | 4.2″ | 8 |
| July | 81° | 5.1″ | 8 |
| August | 80° | 3.7″ | 6 |
| September | 74° | 4.2″ | 5 |
| October | 63° | 3.6″ | 5 |
| November | 51° | 4.8″ | 6 |
| December | 44° | 5.3″ | 8 |
Regional context
Chattanooga falls within a humid subtropical climate region — sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities in this zone.
Similar climates: Nashville, TN, Memphis, TN, Knoxville, TN, Clarksville, TN, Murfreesboro, TN.
Naturalist notes
By late April, dogwood trees across Chattanooga begin their characteristic white bloom, marking the transition into warmer spring weather.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds typically return to Tennessee feeders in mid-April after their winter migration south.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Chattanooga?
- Chattanooga's last spring frost typically occurs around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Chattanooga?
- March stands as the wettest month with about 5.3 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 55 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Chattanooga?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 81°F.
- What is the coldest month in Chattanooga?
- January typically delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 42°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Chattanooga?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Chattanooga get?
- Chattanooga sees about 83 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Chattanooga?
- Chattanooga's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Chattanooga, Tennessee sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 42°F while July averages 81°F — a 39°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Chattanooga receives about 55 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 83 rainy days.
Climate patterns follow the city's latitude (35.1°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all factors that determine what grows here, when frost arrives, and daily weather conditions.