According to their latest update, the National Weather Service in Knoxville has issued a forecast highlighting increasing clouds today, with breezy conditions expected to prevail as west winds pick the pace from 10 to 15 mph to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Gusts reaching as high as 30 mph are anticipated. Tonight's weather leans toward the unpredictable, with a slight chance of rain showers after 4 am, possibly mixing with snow post-5 am, and mostly cloudy skies enclosing a low of around 35 degrees. The winds persist from the west, ranging from 10 to 15 mph and gusting up to 25 mph.
Looking ahead into Friday, the National Weather Service predicts a modest 10 percent chance of showers before 7 a.m. The day continues mostly cloudy with a high nearing 48, while the west wind maintains its presence around ten mph, gusting to about 20 mph. As Friday evening descends, there's a possibility of sprinkles before 1 a.m. under a mostly cloudy sky hovering around 38 degrees.
The weekend forecast suggests a break in precipitation, with Saturday expecting partly sunny conditions and a peak temperature near 54 degrees. The serene state continues into Saturday night as skies clear and temperatures dip close to 35 degrees. By Sunday, we venture into mostly sunny territory, with temperatures climbing towards a comfortable 61 degrees.
The National Weather Service also issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for swaths of southwest North Carolina, east Tennessee, and southwest Virginia, urging residents of the areas to brace for widespread gusts between 20-35 mph today, warning that higher elevation gusts could reach 40 mph at times. "Wind chill values will fall into the 20s area wide tonight," the advisory notes, coupled with the expectation of single-digit wind chills predicted for the mountainous terrains. A Winter Weather Advisory remains active for relevant parts of the east Tennessee mountains and southwest Virginia until Friday morning.
Into the new week, the chance of showers re-emerging by Monday afternoon is anticipated to affect about 30 percent of the area, while mostly cloudy skies push the high near 66 degrees. Showers appear more definite Monday night, with a high chance of precipitation before 1 am and lows around 46. The unpredictable weather continues into Tuesday and onward, with a 20 percent chance of sprinkles accompanying a mix of sun and clouds.
Residents and those preparing for outdoor activities should stay informed and cautious, especially given the wind advisories and fluctuating weather patterns expected over the next few days. While spotter activation is not currently required, this is subject to change should conditions warrant.
