Knoxville woke Sunday to clear skies and temperatures near 72 degrees, but the comfortable start will quickly give way to a long, hot stretch. The high is expected to reach 91, with the heat index near 97 and almost no wind to take the edge off.
Sunny Sunday Starts A Hotter Run
Afternoon temperatures will climb steadily under sunny skies, with rain chances holding near zero. The heat builds Monday through Thursday, when highs are forecast to reach 93, 94, 95 and 96 degrees, respectively, while overnight lows remain in the low to mid-70s.
The latest outlook sharpens the warm-up described in Hoodline's earlier Knoxville forecast. For anyone hoping summer might quietly run out of steam, the forecast has other plans.
Most Of The Week Stays Dry
Rain chances remain very low through Wednesday and rise only slightly Thursday. Friday brings the first meaningful change, with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., followed by a 20% chance of storms Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Morristown, a strong area of high pressure is driving the hot, muggy pattern across the Tennessee Valley. The agency says heat-index values around or above 100 degrees are possible in parts of central and southern Tennessee, even though Knoxville's forecast currently peaks in the upper 90s.
Plan Around The Afternoon Heat
There are no watches, warnings or advisories listed for the Knoxville area, but the combination of high temperatures, humidity and nearly calm winds will still make afternoons uncomfortable. Outdoor workers, athletes and anyone planning extended time outside should schedule strenuous activity earlier or later, drink plenty of water, seek shade and take regular cooling breaks.
