Good morning, East Tennessee! It’s Friday, August 1, 2025, and as your local meteorologist, I’m rolling out the latest weather update—right now!
Happy Friday! Despite our cold front swinging through, the humidity hasn’t dropped yet, so it’s a mild and muggy start to the day. But hold on—those cooler 80s and lower humidity are sliding in this weekend, bringing a much more comfortable vibe, though a lingering trough will keep rain chances a bit elevated. This easy-to-grab blog dives deep into today’s forecast for Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Great Smoky Mountains, then lays out the rest of the story in detail—so let’s jump in and get ready!
Today, Friday: A Muggy Morning with Showers and Mild Heat
We’re kicking off your Friday with some fog lingering in spots, especially where moisture pooled after recent rains, and temps are in the 70s, with dew points matching that muggy feel. So, not much of a change in how the air feels—yet! As the fog burns off, we’ll warm up quickly—by lunchtime, expect temps to hit the low 80s, with afternoon highs climbing to the upper 80s, which is right on average for early August. Our afternoon heat index will push into the low 90s—not too bad considering we’ve been battling a heat index in the low 100s lately. It’s still warm, so stay hydrated, seek shade, and don’t skip sunscreen, as the UV Index could reach 9-10, risking a sunburn in 15-20 minutes without protection. The big news is scattered showers and storms developing today, mainly along the mountain counties like the Smokies and Cumberland Plateau. With a water-loaded atmosphere, the Weather Prediction Center has us under a Level 1 risk for localized flooding and flash flooding, so watch for heavy downpours. Track them with the eastTNweather app’s Interactive Radar, showing past, current, and future views—download it now to stay safe!
The Rest of the Story: Saturday and Sunday
Looking ahead, Saturday, August 2, will carry forward that transition. The cold front’s influence will start to kick in, with highs dropping to the low to mid-80s and humidity gradually decreasing, making it feel much more comfortable. However, a lingering inverted trough will shift westward, acting as a focus for afternoon showers and storms—nothing too wild, but enough to keep things interesting. Sunday, August 3, will feel even better, with that cooler air settling in, lows dipping into the 60s overnight, and highs staying in the mid-80s. The trough will keep rain chances alive, but the evening will turn comfortable, and Sunday morning will have a cool, refreshing feel—perfect for a weekend kickoff!
The Rest of the Forecast: Next Week and Beyond
Next week, this pleasant trend will continue, with highs holding in the 80s and lows dropping into the 60s—well below our recent heat wave averages. The lower humidity will make it feel fantastic, with heat index values likely staying in the upper 80s to low 90s, a welcome change from the triple-digit feels. We’ll still see a chance for afternoon storms, driven by that lingering trough and daytime heating, especially along the higher terrain of the Smokies and Plateau. The Climate Prediction Center suggests this below-average pattern could persist for the next 7-10 days, with rainfall trending near or slightly above average as the trough keeps moisture in play.
Looking toward mid-August, the weather should settle into a late-summer groove. Highs will likely creep back toward the upper 80s to low 90s, with heat index values hovering around 95-98°F as humidity starts to rise again. Afternoon storms will become more routine, fueled by summer heat and passing disturbances, offering a balanced mix of sun and rain. The trough’s influence might fade, but no major heat waves are on the radar yet, and the recent cool-down should temper any extreme heat. The pattern could shift if a stronger front moves in, but for now, expect a pleasant stretch. For Knoxville locals, Chattanooga outdoor fans, and Smoky Mountain visitors, this means enjoying today’s milder heat, then reveling in a refreshing weekend and a comfortable week ahead.
ABOVE AND BEYOND THE 7 DAY FORECAST
Why This Weather’s Happening
That muggy start and mild heat come from a cold front that’s moved through but hasn’t yet cleared the humidity, leaving a water-loaded atmosphere ripe for showers. The lingering inverted trough will keep rain chances up, while the front’s drier, cooler air behind it will transform the weekend. It’s a classic summer shift—warm now, but a cool, wet relief is coming. Stay alert!
Your Weather Tool: The eastTNweather App
The eastTNweather app is your go-to for East Tennessee weather. Launched in October 2023 after 20 years at WBIR, it delivers three daily video forecasts, a live morning chat, and updates on MikeWitcherTV and ETNWeather. Free on Roku, Amazon Fire, eastTNweather.com, and the app, its Interactive Radar gives you a two-hour window of past, current, and future weather—perfect for tracking today’s storms. Download it today!
Stay Connected with eastTNweather
I’m here to keep you in the know and safe. Pop over to eastTNweather.com, grab the app, or follow me on social media for the latest on today’s weather and the week’s forecast. Have a great Friday, enjoy the start of August, and check back in—let’s make this weekend awesome together!