The Knoxville area woke up shrouded in a blanket of fog and mist this morning, with visibility restricted to three miles and humidity at a saturating 100 percent. While the fog is expected to lift before 9 a.m., the NWS advises, "If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you," as noted by the National Weather Service (NWS) Knoxville.
The forecast reveals a shift throughout the day, with the murky morning conditions set to yield to mostly cloudy skies before transitioning to full sunshine, with temperatures climbing to a high near 87 degrees. The calm and clear night will usher in lows around 66 degrees, granting a brief respite before the onset of a heat wave next week. Saturday is slated for sunny and hot conditions, with a high near 91, escalating further into the week.
Looking ahead, the NWS outlook suggests an impending heat wave for East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, with Sunday marking the beginning of a string of swelteringly hot days. "Heat index values are forecast to exceed 100 degrees across the Tennessee Valley beginning Sunday, persisting through the end of the week." Such extremes in temperature highlight the necessity for the public to stay hydrated and take regular breaks if outdoors, particularly during the peak heat hours.
Nighttime temperatures are expected to remain in the low 70s, and while sunny conditions continue, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for Thursday. A high near 95 degrees is still expected. According to the Hazardous Weather Outlook from NWS Morristown TN, no immediate need for spotter activation is anticipated. The outlook advises residents to take precautions due to the ongoing high temperatures and to monitor upcoming forecasts as the heat wave develops.
