The climate of Tennessee is classified as humid subtropical. Though winters are relatively mild and summers are quite warm, the state experiences four distinct seasons.
Tennessee's varied geography leads to differing climatology throughout the state. The Great Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee experience significantly lower temperatures than the flatter west. This highland area receives more precipitation, particularly snowfall, than the rest of the state.
In general, winters tend to be mild with a statewide average temperature hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are hot and humid, with an average July temperature of about 83 degrees Fahrenheit. As of 2010, the highest temperature ever recorded in Tennessee was 113 degrees and the lowest was minus 32 degrees.
Autumn is the driest season, with September and October receiving the least rainfall. The wettest month is March. Most precipitation falls as rain; snowfall can occur but any accumulation tends to melt quickly.
