Thanks for checking in with your full East Tennessee weather forecast. I’m meteorologist Mike Witcher, and I hope you’re having a great day. Remember, if you ever just want a quick, bite-sized weather update, you can always check out “One Minute with Witcher” inside the East Tennessee Weather app. But for now, let’s dive into the big picture, your weekend forecast, and what’s ahead as we head toward the official start of fall.
Yesterday, highs climbed into the low, mid, and even some upper 80s across the region. Chattanooga nearly hit 90° at 89, Knoxville topped out at 83, and Tri-Cities was cooler at 80. Aside from one lonely shower in the southern valley, most of us stayed dry. That trend will hold — this late summer heat is going to continue, and it may stretch beyond the 7-day forecast into early October.
Today’s Forecast
For today, expect a quick climb from the 60s this morning into the mid to upper 80s by the afternoon. Some valley locations could flirt with 90°. Chattanooga will be close at 89°, Knoxville comes in around 86°, and spots like Scott, Hawkins, Hancock, Blount, and Sevier counties will top out in the low to mid 80s. If you have evening plans, temperatures will stay warm and comfortable — 82° by the evening commute and down into the 70s tonight under mostly clear skies.
Futurecast shows plenty of sunshine today, though clouds will build across the Smoky Mountains. A southeast flow is helping pump in some moisture, but the upper-level steering winds are keeping most of the showers and storms over North Carolina. A few isolated showers may sneak into mountain counties, but it’s not going to add up to much. Friday looks similar, but by Saturday a weak wave drifts in, sparking off a few more afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Most of that activity will again be focused on higher elevations, but some storms could drift into valley communities.
A Look Ahea
Let’s talk football. Saturday brings another big game at Neyland Stadium with a 12:45 kickoff. Tailgaters heading out early will start the day in the mid 60s, then temps climb to 80° by noon and peak around 86° during the game. That’s noticeably warmer than last weekend’s game, so bring plenty of water and be prepared for some late summer heat. A stray afternoon shower or storm is possible, but the majority of the activity stays scattered and isolated. Sunday trends drier with highs near 85°.
Beyond the weekend, highs stay in the mid to upper 80s through much of the 7-day stretch. Rain chances remain low — around 10% today, 20% Saturday, and perhaps 30% by next Wednesday as another system approaches. Most showers and storms will be terrain-driven, popping up mainly across the Plateau and Smoky Mountains. For the valley, it’s a continuation of a mostly dry late summer pattern.
Looking long range, the Climate Prediction Center continues to advertise above-average temperatures to close out September and even kick off October. Fall officially begins on Monday, but it won’t feel like it — highs will remain in the mid to upper 80s with limited rain. While ensemble models hint at slightly more active weather later in the month, for now it looks like East Tennessee stays drier than average, with most of the rainfall focused west of the Mississippi River Valley.
So, the bottom line: more sunshine, late summer heat, limited rainfall, and a warm football weekend ahead. Keep checking back for updates as we fine-tune the forecast, especially if you’ll be out tailgating or enjoying outdoor plans this weekend.
And don’t forget, you can download the East Tennessee Weather app for interactive radar, custom alerts, and quick video updates. You can also find me on YouTube, RokuTV, and Amazon Fire for the full extended forecast every day.
Have a great Thursday, enjoy the sunshine, and get ready for a hot kickoff at Neyland Stadium!
