Late spring · Weather & things to do
Knoxville in May
Knoxville warms up: highs climb to 78°F (26°C), from 70°F in April, with lows of 58°F (14°C) and about 4.1 in (104 mm) of rain.
It scores 77/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 78°F (26°C)
- Avg low
- 58°F (14°C)
- Rain
- 4.1 in (104 mm)
- Humidity
- 77%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 54 min
- Comfort score
- 77/100 · Great
What May feels like
Days are warm, averaging 78°F (26°C), easy weather for being outside from morning to evening.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 58°F (14°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.1 in (104 mm).
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (October).
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (May – July), which brings about 13.9 in (354 mm) in total.
- Comfort slips from 82/100 in April to 77/100.
- May sits inside the Apr – Oct window our Smokies Weekend route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 78°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.1 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Knoxville in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Knoxville Museum of Art
Free museum focused on East Tennessee art, with Richard Jolley's glass installation.
Tennessee Theatre
Restored 1928 movie palace with a Mighty Wurlitzer organ.
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.
Ijams Nature Center
Urban forest with river bluffs and a turquoise quarry lake.
Why now May scores 77/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Nearby in May
- Townsend in May~21 mi · highs 78°F, 4.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Cherokee in May~47 mi · highs 74°F, 4.6 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Asheville in May~81 mi · highs 74°F, 4.7 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Blowing Rock in May~126 mi · highs 69°F, 4.6 in rain · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, about as wet
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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Knoxville?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 77/100 against a best of 89 in October. Expect highs of 78°F (26°C) and 4.1 in (104 mm) of rain. May is inside the Apr – Oct window our Smokies Weekend route recommends.
How hot is Knoxville in May?
Average highs are 78°F (26°C) and average lows 58°F (14°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Knoxville in May?
Some: about 4.1 in (104 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 51.5 in (1308 mm).
What should I pack for Knoxville in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 78°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.1 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Knoxville
Routes in season in May
- Smokies Weekend Apr – Oct
Planning Knoxville in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.