Nashville, Tennessee, has a humid subtropical climate, resulting in relatively mild winters. While the region receives measurable snow each winter, the amount is generally low compared to the rest of the United States. The typical annual average snowfall falls in the range of four to six inches.
The Standard Annual Snowfall
The official measurement for typical snowfall uses a 30-year rolling average, known as the “climate normal” for the area. The average annual snowfall recorded at the Nashville International Airport (BNA) is 4.7 inches. This figure represents the total accumulation of snow, sleet, and freezing rain measured over an entire winter season.
Nashville’s average is significantly lower than the national average annual snowfall of 28 inches, making it nearly six times smaller. Even within Tennessee, the amounts vary widely, as areas in the Cumberland Plateau receive greater snowfall, and locations like Mount LeConte average around 77 inches per year.
Nashville’s position in Middle Tennessee exposes it to weather patterns that frequently fluctuate around the freezing point. January, the coldest month, has an average low of 27°F and an average high of 46°F. This thermal instability means that when snow does fall, warmer daytime temperatures often cause it to melt quickly. Accumulation is often short-lived on the ground, preventing the prolonged snow cover typical in colder climates.
Frequency and Seasonal Timing
Nashville typically experiences a few short-lived snowfalls throughout the winter rather than large, sustained events. The city averages measurable snowfall, defined as 0.1 inches or more, on approximately 5.5 days each year. This limited frequency underscores the sporadic nature of winter precipitation in the region.
Most snow events occur within a two-month window, generally running from late December through the end of February. Statistically, January is the snowiest month, averaging about 1.7 inches of accumulation during that four-week stretch.
The likelihood of a significant snow event outside of this core winter window is small. The average date for the first measurable snowfall is generally around December 23. Historically, the earliest measurable snowfall occurred on October 30, 1925, while the latest recorded event was on April 25, 1910.
Notable Historical Snow Events
While the annual average is modest, Nashville has experienced historically significant snowstorms that far exceeded the norm. The record for the greatest snowfall in a single season occurred during the winter of 1959-1960, when the total accumulation reached 38.5 inches. This seasonal total is approximately eight times the modern annual average, illustrating the potential for extreme variability.
The record for the largest single-storm snowfall is 17.0 inches, which fell on March 17, 1892. This total represents more than three years’ worth of average snow accumulation landing in a single 24-hour period. Another large event saw 15 inches of snow fall in February 1929.
More recently, major snow events included 8.0 inches in January 2016 and 7.6 inches in January 2024, both significant enough to temporarily paralyze transportation and local services. The 2024 storm delivered more snow in one event than the city’s entire normal annual accumulation. These rare, high-quantity storms are associated with large-scale weather systems that track further south than usual, bringing cold, moisture-laden air into the region.