Well, anecdotally - since I've been here I've always thought we have a longer "spring/ fall" climate than a really hot, humid summer. I would assume the elevation of the city and the Cumberland Plateau have some effect.

It definitely gets hot in the mid-summer months, but not nearly as severely as other cities like Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, even DC.

Also, I think calling Chattanooga "deep south" would be a severe misnomer.

Not going to lie, we have our humid days... but no place is perfect. I've climbed bishop, yosemite, Joshua tree, even Indian Creek in not so great temps. Every place has its season but in Chatt you can find shade/dry rock/cooler temps year round