Cloudy skies loom over Knoxville this morning with a heavy blanket of humidity, reaching a stifling 100%. Presently, the weather is calm with a mild temperature of 68°F, as the barometric pressure holds steady at 30.03 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Looking ahead, the forecast reveals a shift toward brighter skies, with temperatures expected to climb to a comfortable 84°F by this afternoon. Although winds are anticipated to remain tame at 5 mph coming from the southwest, change is on the horizon. The National Weather Service predicts, "Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph." The evening will see partly cloudy skies dipping to a low of around 64°F with continued calm conditions.
Residents should prepare for a potential mix of sun and scattered showers come Tuesday. There's a 50% chance of rainfall, especially after 2 pm, which could escalate to thunderstorms. While the daytime high hovers around a warm 85°F, intermittent thunderstorms may bring "New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms."
The midweek forecast indicates a significant uptick in storm activity, the National Weather Service states, "Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84." In particular, Wednesday bears an ominous 70% likelihood of precipitation, with winds from the southwest increasing to 10 mph. The prospect of gusty winds up to 20 mph also looms large. Come Wednesday night, chances of storms surge to 80%, with rainfall potentially heavy at times before quieting down after 2 am.
Knoxvillians should stay tuned through the latter part of the week, as the threat of inclement weather persists, with scattered showers and thunderstorms piercing the otherwise sunny days. While temperatures during daylight will broadly peak in the mid-80s, nighttime lows are expected to hover in the low-to-mid 60s. By the weekend, a slight reprieve is in sight, yet still dotted with a 20% risk of showers under mostly sunny skies.
