What Is the Coldest Month in Nashville?
- 3 sections
- 1 table
- 3 sources cited
January is the coldest month in Nashville. Under the official 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Nashville International Airport, January averages a high of 49.1°F and a low of 30.1°F, with a daily mean of 39.6°F. December and February are only a few degrees milder, so the cold season is really December through February, with January at the bottom.
The numbers come from NOAA’s 1991-2020 monthly normals for the airport station.
The Winter Months Side by Side
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Nights at 32°F or colder | Average snowfall (in.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 52.2 | 33.3 | 15.8 | 0.4 |
| January | 49.1 | 30.1 | 18.8 | 2.0 |
| February | 53.8 | 33.0 | 14.2 | 1.5 |
January has the most freezing nights, about 19 in a typical year, and the most snow. Across the whole year, the airport averages about 66 nights at or below freezing, but only about six days a year when the temperature stays at or below 32°F all day, and fewer than two nights a year (1.8) that fall to 10°F or colder (annual normals).
That combination describes Nashville’s winter well: frequent frosty mornings that warm into the 40s or 50s by afternoon, with only occasional days that stay below freezing.
The Record
The coldest temperature on record in Nashville is −17°F, set on January 21, 1985, according to the National Weather Service’s Nashville climate records, which go back to December 1873. A temperature anywhere near that is far outside a normal winter.
What January Means in Practice
- Ice is a bigger hazard than cold. Average snowfall is small, but when freezing rain or sleet arrives, roads and sidewalks become dangerous quickly. On those days, check road conditions and school or event announcements before going out.
- Dress for a wide daily swing. A January morning near freezing can reach the 50s by afternoon, so layers work better than a single heavy coat.
- Rain is more common than snow. January averages about 4 inches of precipitation, and most of it falls as rain.
For what a winter trip is like beyond the thermometer, from crowds to events, see what Nashville is like in winter. For how often it actually snows, see whether it snows in Nashville.