Happy Thursday, everyone!
I’m meteorologist Mike Witcher, and I sure hope your day is off to a great start. A large area of low pressure sitting to our north and northeast is helping drive a northwesterly wind flow across East Tennessee, ushering in cooler and much drier air.
This morning is colder than yesterday by about 5 to 10 degrees, with many spots starting out in the low to mid-30s across Upper East Tennessee. That’s cold enough for patchy frost in a few areas. For most of us, though, it’s just a crisp, cool start — but frost will become more common over the next week as this cooler pattern settles in.
Today’s Forecast
North of I-40: Mid to upper 60s
South of I-40: Upper 60s to low 70s
Wind: 10–15 mph (lighter than yesterday, but still breezy)
Evening: Clear and cool, grab a jacket after sunset
We’ll enjoy plenty of sunshine today with a light fall breeze, making for a near-perfect autumn afternoon.
Cool Nights and Frost Potential
That northwesterly flow will keep dew points low, so the air remains dry through the weekend. With clear skies and calm winds at night, we’ll see lows dip into the upper 30s to low 40s Friday and Saturday morning. Frost will be possible both mornings, especially across valleys and higher terrain.
By Sunday, dew points and overnight lows begin to rise slightly ahead of our next storm system.
Tracking the Next Weather Maker
Our next system is currently taking shape across the Four Corners region, producing snow through the Rockies and heavy rain west of the Mississippi River. As that system slides east, it will send some high clouds our way Friday through Sunday — but no rain locally through the weekend.
Rain chances begin to pick up next week as the system tracks eastward. By Wednesday and Thursday, we could see a good soaking — possibly up to an inch of beneficial rain. For now, rain chances are sitting around 30%, with the heaviest rainfall likely mid to late next week.
Temperatures and Pattern Outlook
We’ll hover near average highs through Sunday, then drop below average by next week as cooler air settles back in behind that next front.
Trick-or-Treat Forecast Preview
We’re still a week out, but early trends show a chilly Halloween evening shaping up across East Tennessee, with temperatures likely in the 40s during trick-or-treat time. Jackets under those costumes will be a good idea.
And for our mountain weather fans — models are hinting at the first light snow of the season across the highest peaks of the Smokies next weekend. It’s a very low probability, around 2%, but the potential is there for an inch or two on the highest ridgetops if the cold air and moisture line up just right.
7-Day Snapshot
Thursday–Sunday: Sunny, dry, cool mornings, pleasant afternoons
Monday–Wednesday: Increasing clouds and rain chances (30%)
Late next week: Cooler with possible mountain flakes and a chilly Halloween
Enjoy the sunshine, soak in those fall colors, and get ready for another refreshing stretch of classic East Tennessee autumn weather.
For a quick forecast update anytime, check out Witcher’s One Minute Weather on the East Tennessee Weather app, online at eastTNweather.com, or on YouTube.
