Does it snow in Nashville Tennessee? Nashville has a number of interesting attractions and this southern city is well-known for its lively music culture.
Summers in Nashville are hot and muggy, and winters are relatively moderate because of the city’s humid subtropical climate.
However, many people wonder, “What is Nashville snowfall by year?”
Let’s find out now!
Snowfall happens when arctic air masses meet wet Gulf of Mexico air, but only light snowfall of one to three inches is normal.
More about Nashville and Its Climate
Located in the middle of the Volunteer State, Nashville has a diverse climate.
The climate varies from a hot and humid summer to a chilly and damp winter, with a constant layer of partial clouds lining the sky.
The summer months of June through August have consistently high temperatures of and considerable humidity. With an average high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, July is the hottest month.
Here is a bit about the average temperatures in Nashville, Tennessee:
Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Avg Temp | 38°F | 42°F | 51°F | 60°F | 69°F | 77°F | 80°F | 79°F | 72°F | 61°F | 51°F | 42°F |
Average High and Average Low Temperatures in Nashville
During the 3.8 months between May 26 and September 20, the weather in Nashville is consistently hot and muggy due to the onset of summer.
During this time, the city enjoys consistently warm weather, with highs in July typically exceeding 81 degrees Fahrenheit.
In July, the average high is a pleasant 89 degrees Fahrenheit, while the low is a balmy 71 degrees. These numbers conjure images of warm, sunny days ideal for outdoor pursuits and cool evenings that call for only a light blanket.
In the winter, the weather becomes cold with typical low temperatures around 32F.
Here is more about the high and low temperatures in Nashville, Tennessee:
Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Avg Low | 32°F | 34°F | 42°F | 51°F | 60°F | 68°F | 71°F | 70°F | 63°F | 51°F | 42°F | 35°F |
Avg High | 48°F | 53°F | 62°F | 71°F | 79°F | 86°F | 89°F | 88°F | 82°F | 72°F | 61°F | 51°F |
Fact: Partly cloudy skies and temperatures that ebb and flow between summer and winter characterize the transitional months in Nashville.
Does It Snow in Nashville Tennessee?
Yes, it does, but not a lot.
Nashville receives snow about 2.2 months out of the year, from December 21st to February 28th.
There is a 30% chance of at least 1.0 inch of snowfall during a 31-day period during this time. With an average of 1.7 inches, January is the snowiest month of the year.
However, from February 28th until December 21st, the city experienced a lengthy period of no snowfall.
On average, the chances of snowfall are at their lowest between July 23 and August 1.
Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Snowfall | 1.7 inches | 1.7 inches | 0.3 inches | 0.0 inches | 0.0 inches | 0.0 inches | 0.0 inches | 0.0 inches | 0.0 inches | 0.0 inches | 0.1 inches | 0.8 inches |
More about Precipitation in Nashville
In Nashville, the threshold for classifying a day as “wet” is the accumulation of at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation. The percentage of wet days varies throughout the year.
From March 19th through August 20th, a more muggy period predominates, with an average daily risk of rain of 32% or higher.
There are an average of 11.9 rainy days in the month of June. This amounts to an average rainfall of 0.04 inches.
On the other hand, the next seven months, from August 20th through March 19th, are drier.
With an average of 7.7 days of low precipitation during this time period, October stands out as the driest month.
An Important Consideration
It is easy to notice that precipitation in Nashville is in the form of rain.
On average, rain falls for 11.9 days straight in June. According to this system, rain is the most common form of precipitation all year, with a peak probability of 41% on the 30th of June.
Fact: Nashville is in a subtropical climate zone and experiences all four seasons simultaneously.
How Cold Does Nashville Get in the Winter?
In Nashville, the story of the weather changes dramatically as fall gives way to winter.
Beginning on November 28 and ending on February 26, the cold period in Nashville lasts for a total of 3.0 months.
During this frigid time of year, highs typically do not get much over 56 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest weather of the year typically occurs in January, right in the middle of winter.
The typical high and low temperatures this month are 48 degrees Fahrenheit and 32 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, indicating the necessity for warmer apparel and heating solutions.
Here is a bit about the climate comparison in Nashville to the rest of the country:
Climate Average | United States | Nashville |
Rainfall | 38.1 in. | 49.2 in. |
Snowfall | 27.8 in. | 3.8 in. |
Precipitation | 106.2 days | 119.6 days |
Sunny | 205 days | 208 days |
Avg. July High | 85.8° | 89.0° |
Avg. Jan. Low | 21.7° | 26.5° |
Elevation | 2443 ft | 595 ft. |
Fact: Nashville is more likely to experience dangerous ice storms than heavy snowfall.
More about Historical Snowfall in Nashville Tennessee
Considering its location in the middle of the Volunteer State, Nashville has seen its fair share of significant snowfalls.
On March 17, 1892, the city received 17 inches of snow, the most ever recorded for a single day in the city.
Nashville experienced yet another historic snowstorm on February 20-21, 1929, when 15 inches fell in just 13 hours. On March 19, 1996, and March 20, 1968, the city received more than 8 inches of snow.
With a total of 38.7 inches, the winter of 1960 holds the record for the most snowfall in a single season.
Fact: About four to five inches of snowfall per year is typical for Nashville, and heavy snowfall of 6 inches or more occurs just once every 5-10 years on average.
Factors Causing Low Snowfall in Nashville Tennessee
Snowfall is on the lower side in Nashville, and there are many possible explanations for this phenomenon.
For instance:
Geographic Location and Climate
Nashville is located roughly halfway between the northern and southern ends of the Volunteer State.
Being lower and closer to the equator, this area experiences less snow than the north.
Winters in the city are milder than in other parts of Tennessee because of the city’s humid subtropical climate.
There will be less snow in winter because of the milder temperatures.
The higher Appalachian Mountains to the east receive 70–80 inches of snow annually, but Nashville only sees approximately 7 inches.
Weather Patterns
Low-pressure systems from the northwest are often responsible for bringing snow to Tennessee.
However, the Cumberland Plateau acts as a buffer between Nashville and the blizzards that blow in from the northwest.
Nashville is also located far enough south to avoid the harsher half of winter storm tracks, receiving more rain than snow. It rains more frequently during the winter because moderate Pacific air takes over.
The odds of snow are already low, and the less frequent appearance of arctic air reduces them even further.
Urban Heat Effect
The city core of Nashville is slightly warmer in the winter than the surrounding districts due to the urban development that causes a heat island effect.
The warmer metropolitan temperatures are less likely to support snow compared to the cooler outlying areas, therefore this minor increase in temperature reduces snowfall.
Therefore, urban heat contributes to the warmer and less snowy winters experienced in Nashville.
Fact: The ideal time to visit Nashville is May and June (and October, but especially May).
Takeaway
Does it snow in Nashville Tennessee? Yes, it is possible to see snow here, but do not expect a lot of it through the year. Nashville may not get as much snow as other northern cities, but it does get its share of cold winters.
Due to its position in the middle of the South, the region experiences a wide range of winter climates. Many past snow events demonstrate that Nashville has experienced infrequent snowfall, despite the city’s generally mild climate.
But no matter when you visit, you will definitely find a lot to enjoy in this part of the world.