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Published on January 04, 2025
Knoxville Weather Alert: Tranquil Saturday Shifts to Wintry Mix and High Winds, NWS Advises CautionSource: Unsplash/Stephen Ellis

The Knoxville area braces for weather fluctuations, including sunny skies giving way to a wintry mix and strong gusts in the higher elevations. According to the National Weather Service in Morristown, TN, today's forecast promises fair weather with calm winds, reaching up to around 5 mph and highs near 38 degrees. However, the relative tranquility is set to shift by Sunday, as chances of snow, freezing rain, and sleet emerge before midday, potentially complicating travel and outdoor activities.

Visibility is clear at 10 miles despite the dewpoint lingering at 21°F. Residents in higher elevations should anticipate wind chills dropping into single digits and teens throughout the day. Tonight, skies will remain mostly clear, with temperatures expected to dip back to around 25 degrees. Transitioning into Sunday, the NWS warns of a 70% probability of precipitation, as a mix of rain and sleet is forecasted to take over by the afternoon.

As the wintry weather sets in, the NWS anticipates the most significant risks of snow and ice accumulation will fall north of Interstate 40, and northwest of Interstate 81. In preparation, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued across the Cumberland Plateau and Tennessee Valley. Meanwhile, a Winter Storm Watch is in place for southwest Virginia where the likelihood for impactful snow and ice is greatest.

The outlook for early next week suggests that strong, gusty winds, could sweep through the East Tennessee mountains by Sunday night into Monday, with potential gusts reaching up to 60 mph. The NWS urges those in the affected regions to monitor updates as conditions can rapidly change. Snowfall and ice measurement reports on Sunday will be greatly appreciated, as stated by the weather agency. Moving forward, the week appears to moderate slightly with partly sunny skies by Tuesday and highs circling back to around 34 degrees. Yet, the nights will continue to chill, possibly plummeting to a low near 16 by Wednesday night.