Knoxville climate
Knoxville's four seasons can make outdoor life feel varied and demanding
Knoxville's average summer high is 86°F, with about 23 days above 90°F. The average winter low is 33°F, with about 66 days below freezing. Seven months are listed as comfortable, April through October are the best months, and January, February, and December are the toughest.
Humidity is 76 percent, allergies are marked poor, and the long term fine particle figure is a modeled 6.7 micrograms per cubic meter average for 2021 to 2025. These climate summaries describe a planning baseline rather than one home's comfort. Heating, cooling, pollen, rain, shade, and indoor alternatives all matter.
Living through the seasons
Summers are the easier season. Winter comfort deserves a closer look.
- Overall Comfort
- Good
3.3 / 5
- Average Summer High
- 86°F
- Days Above 90°F
- 23 days/year
- Summer Feel
- Very Good
Warm · 86°F
Excellent
4.1 / 5
- Average Winter Low
- 33°F / 1°C
- Days Below Freezing
- 66 days/year
- Winter Feel
- Good
Very Good
Good
2.9 / 5
The shape of the year
Humidity, comfortable months, and sunshine show how the seasons differ.
- Humidity
- 76%
- Comfortable Months
- 7 months
- Solar Exposure
- 1599 peak sun hrs/yr
Good
Good
Poor
Air, allergies, and weather
Air quality and allergies shape day to day comfort. The best months and weather risks help with timing.
Air and allergies
- Air Quality
- Excellent
- Allergy Levels
- Poor
4.7 / 5
Current AQI
Checking…
Current PM2.5
Checking…
Timing and weather
- Long Term Fine Particle Pollution
- 6.7 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average
- Best Months
- Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Toughest Months
- Jan, Feb, Dec
- Heat Risk
- Moderate
- Drought Risk
- Low
- Weather Volatility
- Moderate
Good · 6.7 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average
Good
3.4 / 5
Knoxville in everyday life
Could Knoxville work for you?
What may work well
- April through October are listed as the best months, and seven months are listed as comfortable.
- The average summer high is 86°F, while the city still offers gardens, parks, greenways, and outdoor choices through much of the year.
- Spring and fall can support longer outdoor plans before winter cold and summer heat narrow the day.
- The modeled long term fine particle figure is 6.7 micrograms per cubic meter for 2021 to 2025.
What to think about
- The average winter low is 33°F, with about 66 freezing days that affect heating, stairs, driveways, and care routes.
- An average summer high of 86°F, humidity, rain, and about 23 days above 90°F make timing and cooling important.
- Pollen, rain, windows, insulation, ventilation, roof condition, and seasonal maintenance affect the indoor year.
- Climate and modeled air summaries cannot describe one home's comfort or personal exposure.
Compare Knoxville's home through the whole year
Visit in winter and summer
Spend time in a cold month and a hot month when possible, noticing freezing surfaces, heating, cooling, humidity, hills, rain, and the return home.
Price heating and cooling
Ask about utilities, insulation, windows, roof, drainage, shade, ventilation, heating service, air conditioning, and seasonal maintenance.
Plan outdoor alternatives
Use spring through fall for longer walks, gardens, parks, and visits, while keeping shorter routes and indoor choices available in the toughest months.
Check allergies and home care
Ask how the household will manage pollen, rain, wet gear, ventilation, heating, cooling, storage, and the route to care when weather changes.
Questions retirees ask
What are Knoxville's typical summer and winter temperatures?
The average summer high is 86°F and the average winter low is 33°F. The display shows about 23 days above 90°F and 66 days below freezing, while shade, heating, cooling, hills, rain, and the home still affect personal comfort.
Does Knoxville have a real winter?
Yes. The average winter low is 33°F, with about 66 days below freezing. Heating, insulation, stairs, driveway slope, lighting, parking, and winter routes deserve attention when comparing homes.
How many comfortable months does Knoxville have?
The published climate display lists seven comfortable months, with April through October among the best months. January, February, and December are listed as the toughest months, so the home should work during the colder part of the year too.
Is Knoxville humid or affected by pollen?
The displayed humidity is 76 percent and the allergy row is marked poor. Ask about ventilation, windows, heating, cooling, storage for wet gear, pollen, and the cost of keeping the home comfortable.
What does Knoxville's air quality figure mean?
The long term fine particle figure is a modeled 6.7 micrograms per cubic meter average for 2021 to 2025. It is a planning baseline, not a current street reading or a guarantee about personal exposure.
Knoxville may suit a retiree who wants four seasons and a long middle season for parks, gardens, and outdoor time, provided the home handles freezing days, summer warmth, rain, humidity, pollen, and indoor comfort. Visit in different seasons, then use Save, Compare, or Find my fit.
Sources
Climate comfort helps estimate how practical daily life may feel across the year, especially for heat, humidity, cold, and seasonal constraints.
Seasonal timing, health conditions, air conditioning, air quality, and elevation can change the lived experience.
- NASA POWER
Used for Overall Comfort, Summer Feel, Average Summer High, Days Above 90°F, Winter Feel, Average Winter Low, Days Below Freezing, Humidity, Comfortable Months, Solar Exposure, Best Months, Toughest Months, Allergy Levels, Heat Risk
- Open-Meteo / Copernicus CAMS, checked against U.S. EPA AirData
Used for Air Quality, Long-Term Fine-Particle Pollution
Checked 2026-05-18
- Federal Emergency Management Agency National Risk Index
Used for Drought Risk
- NOAA IBTrACS
Used for Weather Volatility
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