Weather on December 21 at Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Based on 55 years of data from Gatlinburg, TN
Elevation Note: Great Smoky Mountains sits at 4,900 ft. Expect temperatures 17°F cooler than the data shown below, which comes from Gatlinburg, TN at a lower elevation.
Planning Your Visit
December 21st in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (via Gatlinburg, TN) typically brings chilly winter weather, with average highs around 49°F and lows near 26°F. Over 55 years of records, the warmest December 21st was in 1984 (58°F average), while the coldest was 2000 (16°F) — a 42°F range across recorded history. Precipitation has occurred on 40% of recorded December 21st dates, with snow falling 5% of the time (heaviest snowfall: 4"). The last decade has been 6.1°F warmer on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
The last decade has been 6.1°F warmer on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
Planning for December 21st in Great Smoky Mountains? Bring layers as temperatures can vary throughout the day. Consider bringing rain gear or an umbrella.
Year by Year History
| Year | High | Low | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 49°F | 24°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2024 | 46°F | 30°F | 0.03" | 0" |
| 2023 | 45°F | 22°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2022 | 48°F | 28°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2021 | 47°F | 31°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2020 | 48°F | 29°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2019 | 50°F | 25°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2018 | 47°F | 38°F | 2.39" | 0" |
| 2017 | 56°F | 49°F | 3.45" | 0" |
| 2016 | 40°F | 23°F | 0.05" | 0" |
| 2015 | 49°F | 24°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2014 | 44°F | 35°F | 0.03" | 0" |
| 2013 | 66°F | 31°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2012 | 64°F | 30°F | 1.47" | 0" |
| 2011 | 65°F | 32°F | 0.13" | 0" |
| 2010 | 41°F | 20°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2009 | 25°F | 12°F | -- | 4" |
| 2008 | 64°F | 45°F | 2.79" | 0" |
| 2007 | 53°F | 27°F | 0.61" | 0" |
| 2006 | 69°F | 32°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2005 | 37°F | 16°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2004 | 26°F | 6°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2003 | 33°F | 15°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2002 | 46°F | 28°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2001 | 59°F | 29°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2000 | 26°F | 7°F | -- | -- |
| 1999 | 59°F | 39°F | 0.05" | 0" |
| 1998 | 57°F | 32°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1997 | 63°F | 31°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1996 | 29°F | 9°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1995 | 35°F | 16°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1994 | 52°F | 23°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1993 | 35°F | 28°F | 2.18" | 2" |
| 1992 | 50°F | 36°F | 1.91" | 0" |
| 1991 | 44°F | 20°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1990 | 52°F | 39°F | 0.1" | 0" |
| 1989 | 29°F | 11°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1988 | 64°F | 29°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1987 | 69°F | 42°F | 0.33" | 0" |
| 1986 | 52°F | 23°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1985 | 37°F | 18°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1984 | 67°F | 50°F | 1.07" | 0" |
| 1983 | 42°F | 32°F | 0.03" | 0" |
| 1982 | 46°F | 28°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1981 | 34°F | 4°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1980 | 32°F | 11°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1979 | 56°F | 26°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1978 | 73°F | 37°F | 2.41" | 0" |
| 1977 | 57°F | 26°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1976 | 51°F | 15°F | 1.4" | 0" |
| 1975 | 54°F | 9°F | 0.05" | 0" |
| 1974 | 46°F | 26°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1973 | 55°F | 21°F | 2.18" | 1" |
| 1972 | 62°F | 42°F | 0.3" | 0" |
| 1971 | 69°F | 38°F | 0.03" | 0" |
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See historical weather for other dates
Back to Great Smoky Mountains