Knoxville is waking up to wall-to-wall sunshine this Thursday, with clear skies and temperatures starting out in the mid-40s. The sun will go to work quickly on the valley, with afternoon highs expected to top out near 74°F and only light winds. If you have outdoor errands or a lunch run to make, today is about as easy as it gets.
Afternoon Into The Weekend
The sunny streak hangs on through Friday, with highs climbing into the upper 70s. By the weekend, things turn noticeably warmer, with temperatures forecast to reach the low 80s on both Saturday and Sunday and then push even hotter early next week. The outlook shows virtually no measurable rain through Monday and only a small chance of showers later next week.
According to the NWS Morristown, "a significant warming trend is expected" that will send highs into the 80s by the end of the weekend.
Dry Air And Drought Concerns
As the temperatures rise, the air dries out. Relative humidity is expected to drop into the 20s and possibly the teens in some valley spots during the afternoon, which will make it feel very dry and increase how easily grasses and leaf litter can catch fire. The NWS discussion also flags that recent trends have left Knoxville and Chattanooga with their lowest year to date rainfall (Jan 1 to Apr 9) since 2007, a shortfall that can worsen drought stress. With fuels already dry and winds forecast to pick up next week, even small sparks can spread faster than you might expect.
Plan Ahead For Outdoor Activities
For now, it is smart to hold off on open burning and other spark-producing activities while conditions stay this dry, and to check local rules before lighting any fire. You can find current burn-ban and open-burning guidance from Knox County Air Quality, and report illegal open burning to county authorities. If you are planning outdoor events, pack extra water, look for shade and have a backup plan in case the wind starts to crank up.
Enjoy the run of sunny, warm days, but treat the next several afternoons as a dry preview of summer. Keep an eye on updated forecasts later next week in case rain chances change or new local restrictions go into effect.
