Knoxville woke up to bright, blue skies and a crisp start near 50°F on Thursday. Sunshine sticks around through the afternoon, with highs close to 70°F and a light north breeze.
A cold front slid through overnight and scrubbed out the moisture, leaving a dry airmass in place that will keep humidity low and skies mostly sunny through Friday. Forecasters note that gusts could reach 20 mph this afternoon and a steady warmup is on the way, according to the National Weather Service Morristown.
Afternoon Winds And Low Humidity
North winds should generally stay around 5 mph, although exposed ridges and valley corridors could see gusts up to 20 mph this afternoon. With afternoon humidity briefly dipping into the 20s, grass and brush will dry out quickly, so it is a good idea to avoid open burning and to secure any lightweight items that might blow around.
Weekend Warmup
Temperatures climb into the upper 70s on Friday, then jump into the mid 80s on Saturday with southwest winds and gusts that may reach 20 mph. Sunday and Monday look hottest, with readings near 90°F and a high around 92°F on Monday. Moisture return stays limited early next week, although a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms shows up Tuesday with better odds by Wednesday. For more detail, see scattered storms Wednesday for background.
Plan Ahead
The next few days are prime time for yardwork and outdoor plans, as long as you are ready with water and a shady spot once the temperatures jump this weekend. Check the National Weather Service forecast if you have travel or events later in the week, and make sure anything that can blow away is tied down before the gustier afternoons arrive.
