Tennessee weather and outdoor projects
Tennessee has hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters, with plenty of rain, especially in winter and spring. Memphis in the west is the hottest and most humid, Nashville in the middle has frequent storms in spring, and East Tennessee is milder in summer and cooler at higher elevations.
Fall is often the best season for outdoor projects. Spring works between storms. Humid summer nights can bring dew on fresh finishes, so start early. Ice and freeze-thaw cycles occur most winters, so protect new concrete on cold nights.
Frost dates in Tennessee
In Nashville, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 31 and the median first fall freeze is around November 3, a frost-free season of about 217 days.
In Memphis, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 16 and the median first fall freeze is around November 16, a frost-free season of about 244 days.
Frost dates matter for concrete, which must not freeze in its first 48 hours, for paint and caulk that need nights above their minimum, and for lawn care, since crabgrass preventer goes down as the soil warms in spring. See how late in fall you can stain, paint or seal.
Best time to stain a deck in Tennessee
In Nashville, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. March, June–August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 52°F. In March, nights average about 40°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun. November is cool, with highs around 61°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
In Memphis, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. March, June–August and November can also work on the right days. December–January is too cold, with average highs around 52°F. In February, nights average about 37°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In March and November, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 91°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the deck staining forecast.
Best time to paint outside in Tennessee
In Nashville, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. February–March, June–August and November–December can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 49°F. February and December are cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 40°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Memphis, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. June–August and November–March can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 91°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the exterior painting forecast.
Best time to pour concrete in Tennessee
In Nashville, the most reliable months are April–October. March can also work on the right days. November–February averages about 14 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. March brings about 7 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Memphis, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days. December–February averages about 12 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. March and November bring about 4 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the concrete pouring forecast.
Best time to seal a driveway in Tennessee
In Nashville, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 52°F. In March and November, nights average about 40°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 49°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
In Memphis, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 53°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 63°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the driveway sealing forecast.
Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in Tennessee
In Nashville, the most reliable months are March–May and September–November. February, June–August and December can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 49°F. February and December are cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Memphis, the most reliable months are March–May and September–November. June–August and December–February can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June–August is hot, with highs near 91°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the lawn fertilizer forecast.
How the weather differs across Tennessee
| Place | Hottest month avg high | Coldest month avg low | Rain per year | Last spring freeze | First fall freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | 91°F | 30°F | 51 in | March 31 | November 3 |
| Memphis | 92°F | 33°F | 55 in | March 16 | November 16 |
Monthly weather in Nashville
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F | 30°F | 7 | 4.0 in | 52% | 19 |
| February | 54°F | 33°F | 7 | 4.5 in | 47% | 14 |
| March | 63°F | 40°F | 8 | 4.5 in | 43% | 7 |
| April | 73°F | 49°F | 8 | 4.7 in | 43% | 1 |
| May | 80°F | 58°F | 8 | 5.0 in | 48% | 0 |
| June | 88°F | 66°F | 7 | 4.4 in | 50% | 0 |
| July | 91°F | 71°F | 7 | 4.2 in | 51% | 0 |
| August | 90°F | 69°F | 6 | 3.8 in | 49% | 0 |
| September | 84°F | 62°F | 5 | 3.8 in | 47% | 0 |
| October | 74°F | 50°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 45% | 1 |
| November | 61°F | 39°F | 6 | 3.9 in | 47% | 8 |
| December | 52°F | 33°F | 8 | 4.4 in | 54% | 16 |
*Days with at least 0.1 inch of rain or melted snow. Freezing nights: average nights a month at or below 32°F. Humidity is calculated from NOAA hourly normal temperature and dew point at 3 PM.
Monthly weather in Memphis
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F | 33°F | 6 | 4.1 in | 53% | 15 |
| February | 56°F | 37°F | 7 | 4.5 in | 49% | 10 |
| March | 64°F | 44°F | 8 | 5.7 in | 46% | 4 |
| April | 73°F | 53°F | 7 | 5.9 in | 47% | 0 |
| May | 82°F | 62°F | 7 | 5.3 in | 50% | 0 |
| June | 89°F | 70°F | 6 | 4.0 in | 51% | 0 |
| July | 92°F | 74°F | 6 | 4.8 in | 53% | 0 |
| August | 92°F | 73°F | 5 | 3.4 in | 50% | 0 |
| September | 86°F | 66°F | 4 | 3.0 in | 47% | 0 |
| October | 75°F | 54°F | 5 | 4.0 in | 46% | 0 |
| November | 63°F | 43°F | 6 | 4.7 in | 49% | 4 |
| December | 53°F | 36°F | 7 | 5.5 in | 55% | 12 |
Use the averages, then check the forecast
These ratings describe a typical month, not a particular week. A warm spell in a “poor” month can give you a good day, and a wet week can spoil a “good” one. Use this page to plan the season, then check the 7-day forecast for your ZIP code before you buy materials or book help. Each project forecast checks the hours after you finish too: overnight lows, dew and rain that would ruin fresh stain, paint, sealer or concrete.
About this data
Monthly temperatures, rain days, snowfall and freeze dates are NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Climate Normals for 1991–2020 at NASHVILLE INTL AP, MEMPHIS INTL AP. Ratings apply the same temperature limits as our forecasts (for example, 50°F or warmer for deck stain and driveway sealer, and no freezing nights for new concrete) to the average month. Your product label always takes priority.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to stain a deck in Tennessee?
In Nashville, April–May and September–October. In Memphis, April–May and September–October. Look for at least 24 dry hours before and after, and nights above about 40°F. The deck staining forecast checks your exact week.
When is the last frost in Tennessee?
Nashville: around March 31; Memphis: around March 16. These are median dates from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, so a freeze after them happens in about half of years. Low spots and valleys freeze later in spring.
Can you pour concrete in winter in Tennessee?
Yes, but it needs cold-weather practices. Nashville averages about 49 freezing nights from December to February, so fresh concrete needs insulated blankets, a heated enclosure or an accelerated mix, and must not freeze in the first 48 hours. Many homeowners wait for spring.
What months are best for sealing a driveway in Tennessee?
In Nashville, May–September. In Memphis, April–October. Most sealers need 50°F or warmer for 24 hours and a dry day after. See the driveway sealing forecast.