Nashville has a humid subtropical climate, four actual seasons, hot and sticky summers, mild winters, and enough rain year-round that the city stays green. The quick version: roughly 205 sunny days per year, 49 inches of annual rainfall (well above the US average of 38 inches), and 4–5 inches of snow most years.
Temperature Range
The typical annual range is roughly 31°F on the coldest January nights to 90°F on hot summer afternoons. On either end of that range, Nashville can exceed expectations: the all-time record high is 109°F (June 29, 2012) and the all-time record low is −17°F (January 21, 1985). Neither of those extremes happens with any regularity. The record low has been approached only a handful of times in recorded history.
Day-to-day temperatures by season:
- January: avg high 47°F / avg low 27°F (the coldest month)
- April: avg high 68°F / avg low 47°F (pleasant, genuinely nice)
- July: avg high 89°F / avg low 70°F (hot and humid)
- October: avg high 68°F / avg low 47°F (the best month)
Rain and Humidity
Nashville gets rain throughout the year with no truly dry season, but the distribution matters. May is the wettest month at 5.7 inches average and roughly 12 rainy days. October is the driest at 3.2 inches. Spring brings the most intense rainfall. Thunderstorms are common from March through June.
Humidity is the aspect of Nashville weather that catches newcomers off guard. The dew points from June through August regularly sit in the uncomfortably humid range. July’s average relative humidity peaks around 69%. This is not Phoenix-desert dry, and it’s not Houston-swamp oppressive, but it makes 88°F feel more like 95°F to someone from a dry climate.
Severe Weather
Nashville sits in the Southern tornado corridor. Tornadoes are not daily events, but they happen, and the city takes the risk seriously. The March 2020 tornado that tracked through Germantown and East Nashville, killing five people and damaging hundreds of structures, was a reminder that tornado watches in Nashville are not abstract. Peak tornado season is March through May.
Thunderstorms are frequent in spring and summer and can produce hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding. The Cumberland River’s flood history (most notably the catastrophic 2010 flood that inundated parts of downtown) means flood watches during heavy rain events carry real weight.
Ice and Snow
Snow averages 4–5 inches per year. It comes primarily in January and February, rarely accumulates much, and melts within a day or two. The real threat is ice, freezing rain on Nashville’s hilly terrain with roads not designed or equipped for winter driving creates genuine hazards. The city goes into a kind of controlled paralysis when significant ice is forecast. A quarter-inch of ice closes schools; a half-inch brings traffic to a standstill across the metro.
Pollen Season
Nashville’s tree canopy is beautiful in spring and merciless to anyone with allergies. The city routinely ranks among the worst in the US for spring pollen counts. Tree pollen peaks in March and April; grass pollen through May and June. If you’re allergy-prone and haven’t lived in Nashville before, plan accordingly.
What to Expect When Visiting
For a first visit: pack layers for spring and fall, light and breathable clothes for summer (and accept the humidity), and a raincoat for any season. Summer mornings before 10 AM are pleasant; summer afternoons should be managed with air conditioning access in mind. Fall visits, particularly mid-October through early November, involve the most consistently comfortable weather Nashville offers.
Sources
- National Weather Service, Nashville Forecast Office, climate normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Nashville climate records
- Southeast Regional Climate Center
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, annual pollen city rankings
- Metro Nashville Emergency Management Agency