Knoxville woke up to a foggy, damp start Tuesday, with mist trimming visibility and dewpoints parked in the low 60s. That low cloud deck should lift quickly, opening the door to mostly sunny skies and a very warm afternoon, with highs pushing near 90°F. Tonight stays on the mild side and partly cloudy, with lows holding in the upper 60s.
Afternoon Heat And The Commute
Temperatures climb steadily through the day and peak in the late afternoon, around the 4–5 p.m. drive time, setting up a hot commute home. According to the National Weather Service, Knoxville is on track for highs near 90 with light southwest winds of 0–5 mph across the area. If you work or exercise outside, build in extra water breaks and grab some shade until the sun backs off this evening.
Storms Return Wednesday
Shower and thunderstorm chances tick back up Wednesday afternoon, especially over higher terrain and the Cumberland Plateau, with storms most likely in the early-to-mid afternoon. The National Weather Service forecast discussion notes that coverage will expand Wednesday and continue off and on through the weekend. Limited wind shear keeps the overall severe threat low. Rainfall looks spotty, so while brief heavy downpours are on the table, totals will vary a lot from neighborhood to neighborhood.
What To Plan For This Week
From Thursday through Memorial Day, the pattern stays unsettled, with highs generally in the low-to-mid 80s and daily chances for showers and thunderstorms. Because storms will be scattered, a few spots could stack up several inches of rain while others stay mostly dry. No watches or warnings are in effect as of Tuesday morning, but it is worth checking for updates if you are banking on dry weather for outdoor plans.
Quick tip: if you are heading outside later this week, bring a light rain jacket and a backup plan for cover. For the latest watches, warnings and radar, consult the National Weather Service and the office's forecast discussion before you head out.
