Knoxville woke up in a cloud Friday morning, May 8, 2026, with pockets of dense fog, cool readings around 45°F, and visibility dropping to roughly a quarter mile in some low-lying spots. The murk has been slowly peeling back through the morning, and skies are on track to turn mostly sunny with a high near 72°F this afternoon. Light winds are keeping the worst of the fog pinned to river corridors and sheltered valleys during the first commute, while most neighborhoods clear out by mid-morning. A warmer weekend follows today's quiet, bright finish.
Fog And The Morning Commute
A Special Weather Statement flagged dense fog for parts of East Tennessee early Friday, especially near lakes and rivers, with visibility possibly dropping below a quarter mile. The fog was expected to lift between 8 and 9 AM EDT, according to the National Weather Service Morristown office. Drivers are urged to use low-beam headlights, ease off the gas in the thickest patches, and leave extra stopping distance, especially on bridges and riverfront roads where visibility can change quickly.
Sunny Afternoon Into Saturday
Once the fog burns off, Knoxville heads into a bright afternoon with a high near 72°F and light north winds. Saturday looks warmer and still mostly sunny, with highs climbing into the mid to upper 70s and southwest winds gusting up to 20 mph in exposed areas. If you have tents, decorations, or other lightweight gear outside, now is a good time to secure it before those gusts kick up.
Storm Chances Sunday Night Into Monday
Temperatures are expected to top out near 81°F on Sunday before a frontal system pushes in Sunday evening, bringing a higher chance of showers and thunderstorms late Sunday into Monday. Sunday night carries the best odds for steady rain and storms, so anyone with outdoor plans should have a backup option ready. For a broader look at the week's timing, see this wet and windy setup.
What To Take Away
Plan on extra travel time for Friday morning drives through river valleys and other low spots, and keep a light jacket handy for the cool starts. Have rain gear ready for late Sunday into Monday, and tie down or bring inside anything that could blow away during Saturday's gusty periods.
