Tennessee experiences snow, though the amount and frequency vary significantly by location. The climate is humid subtropical, meaning winters are often mild, but cold air masses move through frequently enough to produce snowfall. Significant elevation changes across the state result in vastly different winter experiences for residents in different regions.
Annual Statewide Snowfall Metrics
For most population centers, the average annual snowfall is modest, typically ranging between four and six inches per year. Major metropolitan areas show slight variations: Nashville averages 4.7 inches annually, while Knoxville, located further east, sees 4.6 to 5.8 inches. Memphis, in the western part of the state, receives the lowest totals, averaging about 2.7 inches of snow per year. These averages are skewed by the extreme totals recorded in the mountainous eastern sections of the state.
Geographic Differences Across Tennessee
The state is geographically divided into three Grand Divisions—West, Middle, and East Tennessee—and this topography is the largest factor determining snowfall. West Tennessee, part of the flat Gulf Coastal Plain, receives the least snow. The climate here is the warmest in the state, and winter precipitation is more likely to fall as rain, sleet, or freezing rain, rather than snow.
Middle Tennessee is complex due to the Highland Rim and the lower-lying Nashville Basin. The Nashville Basin, where the capital is located, is sheltered and averages lower totals. However, higher elevation areas on the Cumberland Plateau, such as Crossville, can see significantly greater accumulation, often exceeding 14 inches annually. Snowfall in this middle section is moderate and highly variable.
East Tennessee, dominated by the Appalachian and Great Smoky Mountains, records the state’s highest snowfall totals. Increased elevation causes temperatures to drop, leading to more frequent and heavier snow events. While valley cities like Knoxville and Chattanooga receive moderate amounts, high-elevation areas like Mount LeConte average around 77 inches of snow each year. These mountainous regions often see annual totals above 10 inches.
Typical Seasonal Timing
The primary snow season generally extends from late December through the end of February. The coldest months of January and February are the most likely times to receive measurable snowfall. During this period, the passage of cold fronts and storm systems often align with temperatures low enough to produce frozen precipitation. Measurable snow is unusual in November or outside of the core winter months. Any accumulated snow cover rarely persists for more than a few days before melting due to the mild winter temperatures across much of the state.