Tennessee weather in May
The state broadly agrees with itself in May: afternoons run 82° in Memphis and 75° in Gatlinburg, with everywhere else in between.
Based on 3 weather stations. Three stations from the Mississippi to the Smokies — and the high ridges above Gatlinburg run colder still than the valley numbers here.
West Tennessee
Highs near 82°, nights around 62°, and 5.3 in of rain in a typical May.
| Place | Highs / lows | Wet days | The short version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 82° / 62° | 7 | Smoke over the river for a solid month. |
Middle Tennessee
Highs near 80°, nights around 58°, and 5.0 in of rain in a typical May.
| Place | Highs / lows | Wet days | The short version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | 80° / 58° | 8 | Warm evenings, big storms, and racing hats everywhere. |
The Smokies
Highs near 75°, nights around 51°, and 5.5 in of rain in a typical May.
| Place | Highs / lows | Wet days | The short version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatlinburg | 75° / 51° | 10 | Warm, green, and the fireflies do something impossible. |
Each place above has its own page for the full story — what the month feels like, what to pack, and whether the timing is right.