Knoxville residents are waking up to a peculiar weather phenomenon this morning, known as freezing fog, which has significantly reduced visibility to a mere 0.15 miles, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Knoxville. With the temperature hovering at 25 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level clinging to 100 percent, the city is enveloped in a particularly clinging kind of chill. For those who dare to venture out, the dense fog is not just an inconvenience but also a potential hazard on the roads.
The NWS forecast promises a shift in conditions, predicting sunny skies later in the day with a high near 51 degrees and calm winds. However, the tranquility is short-lived as showers are expected to steadily roll in tonight, with the odds to rain pegged at 90 percent. Knoxville streets are set to receive "new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible." Residents will want to keep their umbrellas at hand.
The wet weather isn't going anywhere fast as showers remain in the forecast for Saturday with a high of 49 degrees and light winds shifting from calm to southwest. The chances of precipitation hover around 80 percent with new precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. As the weekend continues, Knoxville is looking at a 70 percent chance of rain showers potentially transitioning into snow showers late Saturday night.
Those banking on a snow day might have to temper expectations, as the NWS predicts "little or no snow accumulation expected." Looking ahead, Sunday brings a 30 percent chance of snow showers before the afternoon and cloudy skies with temperatures peaking around 35 degrees. Subsequent nights draw colder still, highlighted by a low around 11 on Sunday night, setting the stage for a chilly Martin Luther King Jr. Day with sunny skies but highs struggling to surpass 23 degrees.
Knoxville's temperamental weather patterns continue into the week, with a mix of clear skies and potential for light snow showers coming Tuesday night, carrying a 20 percent chance. Midweek brings mostly sunny days and partly cloudy nights, with mercury levels slightly rising, giving a brief respite from the biting cold that has marked the winter so far. Residents can anticipate more moderate conditions by the week's end with Thursday aiming for a partly sunny day and a high near 38.
