Dense fog early this morning choked visibility around Knoxville, keeping things cool with temperatures hovering near 50°F at sunrise. Once the sun breaks through, though, it is a whole different story: the afternoon is expected to warm sharply, with highs near 88°F and southwest winds strengthening through the day.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Morristown say a strong ridge of high pressure will lock in dry weather and shove temperatures well above normal through the week, with record highs on the table and little in the way of measurable rain. You can dig into the details in the office's forecast discussion from NWS Morristown.
Afternoon Winds and Fire Risk
Southwest winds are expected to ramp up this afternoon to around 10 mph, with gusts reaching about 20 mph. Channeling up the Tennessee Valley could push gusts closer to 30 mph on Monday. At the same time, afternoon relative humidity is forecast to dip into the 20–30% range, creating elevated fire-weather conditions. Officials recommend postponing any debris burning and keeping grills, mowers, and other equipment well away from dry grass or brush.
What to Expect This Week
Daytime highs will run in the mid-to-upper 80s all week. Temperatures should be around 82°F on Monday, rise into the mid-80s on Tuesday and Wednesday, and edge toward the upper 80s later in the week. There is only a slight chance of showers from late Thursday into early Friday. Otherwise, the pattern stays dry, which could worsen drought stress across the region, according to NWS Morristown.
Travel and Outdoor Plans
Small aircraft and high-profile vehicles may have to wrestle with afternoon gusts near 20–25 knots at McGhee Tyson and Chattanooga airports, so pilots and drivers should factor the wind into flight plans and highway travel. If you are spending time outside, bring plenty of water, plan for breaks in the shade, and hold off on any open burning. For a broader context on how this warm stretch has developed, see our preview last Monday.
