Good morning and happy Friday, everyone!
I’m meteorologist Mike Witcher from the East Tennessee Weather Center, and thanks for checking in with your big picture forecast. You can always find this full update on the 24-hour eastTNweather channel, online at eastTNweather.com, and of course on the East Tennessee Weather App – and if you’re in a hurry, don’t forget One Minute with Witcher gives you everything you need in under 60 seconds.
Foggy Start, Comfortable Afternoon
We started the day with a little patchy fog in spots – nothing widespread, but enough to notice on the cameras early this morning in Anderson County around downtown Clinton. Temperatures kicked off in the 50s, and by lunchtime we’ll be warming into the 70s. Lunch hour today is going to feel fantastic – light winds, sunshine, and perfect patio weather.
By the time the kids head home from school, expect upper 70s to low 80s across the valley. Today’s highs will be right in that upper 70s to near 80 range, seasonable for early October. Technically, we’re still trending just a couple of degrees above the climatological average of 77°, but it’s going to be a comfortable fall afternoon.
Friday Night Lights Forecast
It’s going to be a perfect evening for high school football. Kickoff temperatures will be in the mid-70s, dropping into the 60s by the end of the game. You may want to grab a light jacket if you’re staying until the final whistle. Winds will be light tonight, though we’ll hold onto some breezier conditions across the higher elevations and foothills.
Weekend Outlook – Breezy and Dry
Saturday looks a little breezier during the afternoon. Gusts will be noticeable, especially in the mountains and foothill regions, and those winds will hold strong overnight into early Sunday. High pressure anchored along the Southeast coast will keep skies mostly clear and rain chances minimal all weekend. Dew points stay low through Saturday, making for crisp, comfortable mornings and warm afternoons.
By Sunday, dew points begin to creep back up as humidity increases ahead of our next cold front.
Cold Front on the Way Next Week
Here’s the big picture pattern:
-
High pressure keeps us dry through Sunday.
-
A cold front approaches Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing our next chance for rain and thunderstorms.
-
This isn’t a washout, but scattered showers are possible, with the highest coverage mid-week.
Forecast guidance has shifted a little since yesterday. The drier air behind the cold front may not dig quite as far south, which could keep us slightly more humid than originally expected. Still, by late next week, drier Canadian air should settle in, giving us that crisp fall feel.
7 Da7 Forecast Highlights
-
Friday–Sunday: Dry, highs upper 70s to low 80s, breezy at times
-
Monday–Wednesday: Increasing humidity, 20–40% rain chances, especially Tuesday/Wednesday
-
Thursday: Cooler and drier, potentially below average highs for the first time in weeks
The Climate Prediction Center continues to highlight the possibility of above-average temperatures beyond the 7-day forecast, so don’t pack away those short sleeves just yet.
Quick Recap
-
Perfect weather today and tonight for outdoor plans
-
Breezy conditions return Saturday, especially for the foothills
-
Rain chances climb next week with a mid-week cold front
-
Seasonal to slightly above-average temperatures through early next week
-
A refreshing cool-down possible by Thursday
As always, you can grab the East Tennessee Weather App for free in your app store, where you’ll find interactive radar, lightning alerts, live severe weather coverage, and daily updates like this one.
Have a fantastic Friday and an even better weekend, my friends – I’ll see you back here at 6 with your evening update.
