Knoxville rolled out of bed into a wall of humidity this morning, with muggy, partly cloudy skies and temperatures sitting in the mid-70s. By this afternoon, the high is expected to reach around 88°F, with heat index values pushing into the mid-90s. In other words, it will feel every bit like summer in East Tennessee.
Afternoon Storms And Heat
The National Weather Service in Morristown is calling for scattered showers and thunderstorms, most likely this afternoon, with about a 60% chance of rain. Most spots that see rain should pick up between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. A few storms could pack some punch, with forecasters warning of gusty winds and localized flooding that could cause spotty issues around town.
When To Expect Rain
Storm coverage should ramp up after noon and peak in the mid-afternoon, roughly between 1 and 4 p.m. If you have outdoor plans, that is the window you may want to have a backup indoor option ready. Tonight there is still a chance of storms before 2 a.m., and scattered showers are possible again late Sunday, so the unsettled pattern is not done with Knoxville just yet.
Commute And Event Impacts
Brief heavy downpours could quickly reduce visibility and leave water pooling on poorly drained streets, so drivers may want to slow down and give themselves extra time during the afternoon rush. Lightning is another concern; organizers of outdoor events should have a lightning plan and be ready to move people inside if storms start to build. Those who depend on local transit could see delays where storms snarl traffic and slow everything down.
Cooling Options
If the heat starts to feel a little too real, the city and local nonprofits have been operating cooling centers this month. A list of locations and hours is available from WVLT. Be sure to check hours before heading out, since some centers only open when heat metrics climb or when staffing allows.
What’s Ahead
The unsettled pattern is expected to hang around into early next week, with daily chances for afternoon storms and daytime highs mainly in the upper 80s to around 90°F. Forecasters say slightly drier air is possible later next week, which could mean lower dew points and fewer storms as the pattern eases, according to the NWS forecast discussion.
