Weather in Knoxville, Tennessee
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 17Overcast—90°59°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—91°67°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—88°66°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Showers65%89°65°
- ThursdayMay 21Showers70%80°66°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle77%77°66°
- SaturdayMay 23Light Drizzle72%80°65°
- PM 2.5
- 13.8 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 14.5 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 9.9 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 60.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:39 AM
- Moonset
- 1:00 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Knoxville at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 11°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 23 (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 Knoxville's warmest temperatures (~77°F mean), while January delivers the coldest (~37°F). December sees peak rainfall at 5.9 inches, compared to October's low of 3.0 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 5.2″ | 9 |
| February | 41° | 5.1″ | 8 |
| March | 49° | 5.3″ | 9 |
| April | 57° | 5.3″ | 8 |
| May | 66° | 4.5″ | 8 |
| June | 74° | 4.0″ | 7 |
| July | 77° | 5.8″ | 9 |
| August | 76° | 3.4″ | 7 |
| September | 71° | 4.1″ | 6 |
| October | 59° | 3.0″ | 5 |
| November | 48° | 4.1″ | 7 |
| December | 40° | 5.9″ | 9 |
Regional context
As part of the humid subtropical climate region, Knoxville shares temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Nashville, TN, Memphis, TN, Chattanooga, TN, Clarksville, TN, Murfreesboro, TN.
Naturalist notes
Late April brings the emergence of mayapple colonies across Tennessee woodlands, their umbrella-shaped leaves unfurling in shaded forest floors.
Wood thrushes return to Knoxville's deciduous forests by early May, their flute-like songs echoing through the canopy during evening hours.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Knoxville?
- Spring's final frost in Knoxville usually occurs around mid-March, while the first fall frost appears around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Knoxville?
- December ranks as the wettest month, averaging about 5.9 inches of rain, while the city's annual total reaches roughly 56 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Knoxville?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, with temperatures averaging about 77°F.
- What is the coldest month in Knoxville?
- January delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 37°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Knoxville?
- Plant cool-season crops like peas and lettuce around the last spring frost in mid-March, but delay warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Knoxville get?
- Knoxville experiences about 90 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Knoxville?
- Check the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code to find Knoxville's current hardiness zone designation, which reflects the lowest average winter temperature.
Climate
Knoxville, Tennessee experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. Winter temperatures in January hover near 37°F, while July averages reach 77°F — creating a 40°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation in Knoxville totals about 56 inches, distributed across roughly 90 rainy days throughout the year.
Location at 36.0°N latitude, along with proximity to large water bodies and elevation, determines the rhythm of seasons here. These factors influence what grows in the region, when frost occurs, and daily weather patterns.