The weather in Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is humid subtropical. Summers here are hot and humid, and winters are relatively short and mild. The city is in the middle of a low-lying region known as the Nashville Basin. The Highland Rim is the higher ground around this basin, and the Cumberland Plateau is further east.
Winter temperatures in Nashville are usually just above freezing, although on the coldest nights, they are in the low 20s°F (around -6°C). You may see a light dusting of snow during the winter months (December to February). Frost is also common in winter, and you may find the short days dark and gloomy.
Nashville is sunny for much of the year, and during the summer months (June to August), daytime highs are around 90°F (32°C). Newcomers to Nashville are bound to notice the high humidity, which is around 70 percent for much of the year. The urban heat island effect is also prominent on clear nights, when the city’s core is often warmer than the outlying areas.
Spring can be uncomfortable for people with allergies because pollen from the trees and grasses around Nashville is at its worst in these months. It is also the wettest season, and the rain can be relentless.
Newcomers might want to take note of the thunderstorms and tornadoes that roll through in spring and autumn. Most are not severe, but Middle Tennessee is part of a region sometimes called Dixie Alley, and strong tornadoes are a genuine risk. If you are new to the area, the jump from a quiet winter straight into tornado season can feel unsettling. Flooding along the Cumberland River and its tributaries is a recurring risk, so you may want to steer clear of low-lying, flood-prone areas near the water.