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Tennessee events › Answers › What Is the Rainiest Month in Gatlinburg, Tennessee?
July is the rainiest month in low-elevation Gatlinburg, averaging 5.7 inches of precipitation over 10 days, per the National Park Service's monthly averages for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. March and August follow at 5.3 inches; September (3.0) and October (3.1) are the driest.
- Rainiest MonthJuly5.7 in, 10 days
- Driest MonthsSept, Oct3.0 and 3.1 in
- Top of the Park8.3 inKuwohi in July
- CheckedNov 32026, NPS page
Last reviewed November 3, 2026.
Rain by Month in Gatlinburg
| Month | Gatlinburg Precipitation | Gatlinburg Days With Precipitation | Kuwohi Precipitation | Kuwohi Days With Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.8" | 9 | 7.0" | 12 |
| Feb | 4.8" | 9 | 8.2" | 12 |
| March | 5.3" | 8 | 8.2" | 12 |
| April | 4.5" | 8 | 6.5" | 10 |
| May | 4.5" | 9 | 6.0" | 10 |
| June | 5.2" | 9 | 6.9" | 11 |
| July | 5.7" | 10 | 8.3" | 13 |
| Aug | 5.3" | 10 | 6.8" | 12 |
| Sept | 3.0" | 5 | 5.1" | 8 |
| Oct | 3.1" | 6 | 5.4" | 8 |
| Nov | 3.4" | 7 | 6.4" | 9 |
| Dec | 4.5" | 8 | 7.3" | 10 |
Monthly averages as printed by the National Park Service. Kuwohi was called Clingmans Dome until recently.
Rain in the Smokies comes in two main stretches. The summer months from June to August are warm, hazy and humid, and the National Park Service says afternoon showers and thunderstorms are common. Late winter and early spring, from January to March, bring 4.8 to 5.3 inches a month in town. Adding the twelve monthly figures gives 54.1 inches (our arithmetic); the park says the lowlands average 55 inches a year.
How Much Rain Falls Higher Up in the Park?
A lot more. Kuwohi, the highest point in the park, averages 8.3 inches in July, 8.2 inches in both February and March, and no month under 5.1 inches. The park puts yearly rainfall at 85 inches there, against 55 in the lowlands. Temperatures also drop 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit from mountain base to top, so a dry day in Gatlinburg does not promise a dry or warm one at the summit. Pack a rain layer for any day above town.
When Is the Driest Time to Visit Gatlinburg?
September and October. Gatlinburg averages 3.0 inches in September on 5 days with precipitation and 3.1 inches in October on 6 days, the lowest totals of the year. The National Park Service calls September through mid-November the driest period of the year, with only occasional rain showers, and notes that the first frosts often come in late September. That is also the lead-in to leaf season; see the best time for fall color in Tennessee.
Planning Around The Rain
- Summer visitAfternoon showers and thunderstorms are common, per the National Park Service, so keep indoor stops in reserve for the afternoon.
- Going up the mountainBring a rain layer, since the top of the park gets far more rain than town. See Ober Gatlinburg for one way up.
- Staying a few daysOur Smoky Mountains long weekend has a plan you can shuffle around the weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which month gets the most rain in Gatlinburg?
July, at 5.7 inches over 10 days with precipitation, per the National Park Service's monthly averages for Gatlinburg.
What is the driest month in Gatlinburg?
September, at 3.0 inches over 5 days, with October close behind at 3.1 inches.
Which months have the most days with rain or snow?
July and August, at 10 days each in Gatlinburg.
Is the forecast different from these averages?
Yes. These are long-run monthly averages, not a forecast. The park links a current Gatlinburg forecast from weather.gov on its weather page.
What We Could Not Confirm
- The years these averages cover. The National Park Service page does not say, and its page was last updated October 23, 2024. Check with the park for the current period.
- Which weather station the Gatlinburg figures come from. The park labels the table Gatlinburg, TN (low elevation).
- Prices and lodging by month. We did not read any, so this page does not say which month is cheapest.
Sources
Read on November 3, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's Tennessee, “What Is the Rainiest Month in Gatlinburg, Tennessee?”, itstennessee.com/answers/what-is-the-rainiest-month-in-gatlinburg-tennessee/ (updated ). By the It's Tennessee editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.