Air Quality
Pollution levels.
Monitored days with good air quality
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored Tennessee counties.
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).
| Indicator | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (µg/m³) | 8.1 | 8.5 |
Wildfires
Fire activity.
Drought
Dry conditions.
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
| Indicator | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Area in drought (%) | 8 | 25 |
Water Usage
Water withdrawals.
- •Tennessee gets about half its drinking water from groundwater; Memphis draws from one of the purest aquifers in the U.S.
Emissions
Greenhouse gases.
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTOTNA).
Transportation CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTOTNA).
| Indicator | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Per capita CO₂ (tonnes) | 12.9 | 14.4 |
Climate Indicators
Temperature and rainfall.
Average annual temperature
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.
Annual precipitation
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.