Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Knoxville in January
This is the coldest month in Knoxville: highs average 47°F (8°C) and lows 29°F (-1°C), with about 4.2 in (106 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 53/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 47°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 29°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 4.2 in (106 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 61%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 49 min
- Comfort score
- 53/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Afternoons only reach about 47°F (8°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 29°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.2 in (106 mm).
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 29°F.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by February, lows rise to 32°F.
- Comfort slips from 57/100 in December to 53/100.
- Our Smokies Weekend route recommends Apr – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 47°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 29°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.2 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Knoxville in January
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Market Square
Pedestrian square with restaurants, patios and a Saturday farmers market.
World's Fair Park & Sunsphere
1982 World's Fair grounds with the gold Sunsphere tower.
Pretentious Beer Co.
Old City brewery and glassblowing studio pouring beer in its own glassware.
J.C. Holdway
Chef Joseph Lenn's wood-fired Southern cooking downtown.
Yassin's Falafel House
Beloved downtown falafel shop run by a Syrian refugee family.
Nearby in January
- Townsend in January~21 mi · highs 48°F, 4.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Cherokee in January~47 mi · highs 45°F, 4.4 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Asheville in January~81 mi · highs 44°F, 3.9 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Blowing Rock in January~126 mi · highs 38°F, 3.4 in rain or snow · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~424 m to Knoxville's ~275 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Knoxville in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Knoxville?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 53/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are October. Expect highs of 47°F (8°C) and 4.2 in (106 mm) of rain. Our Smokies Weekend route recommends Apr – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Knoxville in January?
Average highs are 47°F (8°C) and average lows 29°F (-1°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Knoxville in January?
Some: about 4.2 in (106 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 51.5 in (1308 mm).
What should I pack for Knoxville in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 47°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 29°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.2 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Knoxville
Planning Knoxville in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.