If you’re considering a move to Johnson City, Tennessee—or just wondering what winter’s really like here—you might be curious about the snow. The short answer? Johnson City does get snow, but it’s far from a winter wonderland compared to cities like New York, and it’s practically a snow globe compared to Los Angeles.

❄️ Typical Snowfall in Johnson City

On average, Johnson City receives around 9 inches of snow per year, according to data from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information NCEI.

For comparison:

So while Johnson City definitely sees more snow than LA or somewhere like Orlando, FL, it’s much milder than what you’d get up North in a place like NYC or New England.

🌨️ How Many Days Does It Actually Snow?

The snow in Johnson City typically falls on just a few days per year. It’s usually light and often melts within a day or two. Major snowstorms are rare, and most snowfalls are just a dusting or a couple of inches. Here’s a plot of the snow over the last year (data sourced from NOAA). Hover over the blue line to display dates and amounts. You can see that it’s really just 4 days.

🚗 Snow Impacts: Roads, Schools, and Daily Life

Because heavy snow is rare here, even small amounts can have a noticeable impact. This can be surprising and somewhat comical to those from the North (like Tito!)

  • Schools may close or go remote with just a couple of inches, especially if roads aren’t pre-treated.
  • Road closures and delays may happen, especially on hilly or rural routes when conditions are slick.
  • The city does not have the extensive plowing infrastructure you’d find in snow-heavy cities
  • Many people who do venture out into the snow do not know how to drive correctly in it

This means that while the snow may not be deep, it can still throw off your day—especially if you’re not used to driving in winter weather.

🏞️ A Snowy Bonus: It Does Look Pretty (For a Day)

Snow in Johnson City does have that scenic charm. Light snowfalls cover the mountains and trees in white, creating postcard views—especially in areas like Buffalo Mountain or the Cherokee National Forest. You get the beauty of winter without the constant shoveling or days of dirty snow piles.