Knoxville woke up in a cloud Thursday morning, March 12, 2026, with fog and mist draped over the city, temperatures hovering around 43°F, and a thoroughly soggy commute. Regional observations reported reduced visibility in spots along with some gusty winds, so drivers faced wet roads and slower-than-usual travel to start the day.
Morning Rain and Brief Mountain Snow
Rain showers are expected to taper through the late morning, with most areas seeing the bulk of the rain before 9 a.m. New rainfall totals should land in the neighborhood of one-half to three-quarters of an inch. A surge of colder air later Thursday morning is set to flip rain to snow briefly over the highest East Tennessee ridges and parts of southwest Virginia, where the tallest summits could pick up 1 to 2 inches of accumulation, and mid elevations could see isolated amounts of one-half to 1 inch. A quick changeover is possible in the valleys as well, but any accumulation there should stay minimal. This timing and mountain snow guidance comes from the National Weather Service Morristown.
Afternoon Clears, Gusty North Winds
Skies should gradually clear this afternoon with a high near 53°F, although a north wind of 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph will keep things feeling brisk, especially on exposed roads and ridgelines. The rain is expected to move out by mid to late morning, leaving behind wet pavement and lingering puddles that could still create slick spots for the afternoon drive. For a wider look at how this sets up the coming warm spell, check out Knoxville bakes in near-record heat.
Weekend Warmup and a Late Storm
A warming trend builds Friday into the weekend, with highs climbing into the low 60s on Friday and then into the 70s by Saturday and Sunday. Another system is expected to arrive Sunday night into Monday, bringing showers and a few storms. Behind that front, temperatures will tumble, with highs near 49°F on Monday and overnight lows plunging into the 20s, so plan for a quick switch from mild to much colder conditions early next week.
What to Know for Your Commute
Give yourself extra time on the roads this morning and be ready for reduced visibility in heavier showers and pockets of fog. Bridges and overpasses may stay slick for a while even after the rain ends. If your route takes you over higher ridges or into southwest Virginia, be prepared for brief slushy spots where rain flips to snow, and check the latest forecasts before heading out.
