Best Time to See Black Widows in Tennessee
May, August and June is the best time to see black widows in Tennessee. Based on 900 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when black widows are most active across the year in Tennessee.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Northern Black Widow · Joseph McPhail CC BY
Western Black Widow · Rebecca Ray CC BY
Western Black Widow · Michael Eisen CC BY
900 verified observations of black widows in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When black widows are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
May
146 records (16.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12 | 1.3% |
| February | 20 | 2.2% |
| March | 28 | 3.1% |
| April | 88 | 9.8% |
| Maypeak | 146 | 16.2% |
| Junepeak | 121 | 13.4% |
| July | 95 | 10.6% |
| Augustpeak | 132 | 14.7% |
| September | 121 | 13.4% |
| October | 83 | 9.2% |
| November | 41 | 4.6% |
| December | 13 | 1.4% |
Black Widows you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Southern Black Widow | 513 |
| Northern Black Widow | 253 |
| Brown Widow | 20 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Tennessee
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when black widows are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for black widows sit around 58 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49°F | 33°F | 6" |
| Feb | 54°F | 36°F | 7.3" |
| Mar | 62°F | 42°F | 7.5" |
| Apr | 68°F | 48°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 58°F | 5.3" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 65°F | 6.2" |
| Jul | 87°F | 70°F | 7.4" |
| Augbest time | 86°F | 69°F | 8.3" |
| Sep | 82°F | 64°F | 3.2" |
| Oct | 72°F | 53°F | 4.8" |
| Nov | 59°F | 41°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 54°F | 38°F | 5.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Tennessee. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of black widows in Tennessee peak in May, when 146 of the year's 900 verified observations are logged — about 16.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, August and June.
The quietest stretch is January and December, when black widows are hardest to find — January sees just 12 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The black widows you are most likely to encounter in Tennessee are Southern Black Widow, Northern Black Widow and Brown Widow — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see black widows in Tennessee
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area — National River & Recreation Area
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park — National Park
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Obed Wild & Scenic River — Wild & Scenic River
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see black widows in Tennessee?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, August and June, based on 900 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are black widows hardest to see in Tennessee?+
January is the quietest month for black widows in Tennessee, with only 12 verified records.
Are black widows active year-round in Tennessee?+
Black widows are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Tennessee, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Tennessee