TENNESSEE — Although March marks the start of meteorological spring, measurable snowfall can still occur across Tennessee, according to long-term climate records and historical weather data.
Average snowfall in Tennessee during March is generally lower than in the core winter months, but many parts of the state still record occasional accumulations.
Climate normals from the National Weather Service indicate that cities such as Nashville average around 0.3 inches of snow in March, while Knoxville averages about 0.4 inches. In higher elevations of eastern Tennessee, including areas near the Great Smoky Mountains, average March snowfall totals can be somewhat higher due to colder temperatures and elevation effects.
Snowfall during the month typically becomes less frequent as spring approaches. Early March can still experience winter-like conditions, while warming temperatures later in the month usually limit snow accumulation. However, Tennessee’s location between colder northern air masses and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico occasionally allows late-season winter storms to develop.
Historical weather records show that March snow events have occurred periodically across the state. For example, parts of Tennessee received significant snowfall during the March 1993 “Storm of the Century,” one of the largest winter storms in the southeastern United States. That system brought heavy snow and widespread travel disruptions across much of the state.
While measurable snowfall in March is less common than during January or February, it remains a documented part of Tennessee’s climate history. When cold air moves into the region at the same time as a developing storm system, conditions can still support snowfall even as the season transitions toward spring.
