The hottest summer in Tennessee, based on the highest recorded statewide temperatures, was 1952. This year saw the all-time highest mean statewide temperature recorded in the state's history.
Analyzing Peak Temperatures
While a "hottest summer" can be defined by various metrics, such as average seasonal temperature or the duration of heat waves, the available data highlights the most extreme individual temperature peaks. The summer of 1952 contained the single hottest day ever recorded in Tennessee, along with another day that ranked among the highest.
Here are the top 10 hottest days in Tennessee history by mean statewide temperature:
| Date | Temperature (°F) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| July 28, 1952 | 105.3 | 1952 |
| July 27, 1952 | 105 | 1952 |
| July 28, 1930 | 105 | 1930 |
| July 12, 1930 | 105 | 1930 |
| June 30, 2012 | 104.7 | 2012 |
| June 29, 2012 | 104.7 | 2012 |
| August 16, 2007 | 104 | 2007 |
| September 5, 1954 | 103.7 | 1954 |
As evidenced by the table, July 28, 1952, holds the record for the highest mean statewide temperature at 105.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the day before, July 27, 1952, also reached an extreme 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This concentrated period of intense heat in 1952 points to that summer as a period of exceptional and historic warmth.
The summer of 1930 also stands out, with two days, July 28 and July 12, reaching 105 degrees Fahrenheit, making it another contender for an exceptionally hot summer based on peak temperatures. However, the slightly higher single peak temperature in 1952 gives it the edge as the summer containing the most extreme heat event.
