Good morning and happy Friday-Eve, East Tennessee!
Yes, we’re almost to the weekend — and I know many of you are counting down the hours! Whether you’re planning some time by the pool, a trip to the lake, or heading up into the Smokies, let’s take a deep dive into what the weather has in store over the next several days.
We’ve been dry for a while — and honestly, it’s been a little too dry. Rain chances are starting to tick up just in time for the weekend. And while that’s some much-needed good news for our lawns and gardens, we also have to keep an eye on the heat that’s building next week — and it could get dangerously hot. We’re talking heat advisory territory.
Let’s break it all down in today’s weather blog…
Today: Heat, Humidity & a Severe Weather Risk for Some
Whew — did you feel that this morning?
It was a very warm and muggy start to the day across East Tennessee. In fact, early morning temps were trending nearly 6 degrees warmer than this time yesterday. But the real kicker? The humidity. Dew points were already in the low 70s, which means the air is thick and sticky — the kind of morning where you walk outside and immediately feel it.
That classic Tennessee “sweat factor” is in full effect today. And when the morning starts off that warm, you know we’re in for another hot summer day. By lunchtime, temps will be climbing into the mid to upper 80s, and we’re expecting afternoon highs in the low 90s. Factor in the humidity, and the heat index will likely push up toward the low 100s once again.
Storm Risk Today – Especially North of I-40
Now let’s talk rain and storms. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has placed areas north of I-40 under a Level 1 Marginal Risk for severe weather today. The biggest concern is damaging winds, with the possibility of isolated gusts reaching 60 mph. Thankfully, the tornado threat remains very low, and we’re not expecting much (if any) hail with these storms.
But don’t let your guard down just yet — the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has also issued a Level 1 & 2 risk for flooding and flash flooding, again primarily north of I-40. Heavy downpours over already saturated areas could create some localized flooding issues, so be weather-aware this afternoon and evening.
Pro Tip: The eastTNweather app should be your go-to tool today. Turn on those push alerts and stay ahead of any storm that pops up in your area.
Friday & Weekend: Better Rain Coverage, Don’t Cancel Plans Yet
As we head into Friday and the weekend, rain chances do go up a bit — and that’s actually good news. Many parts of East Tennessee are running below average on rainfall, and this could help us make up some ground.
The setup heading into the weekend supports more widespread showers and storms, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. Still, this doesn’t mean you need to cancel your plans — just be smart about it. Use the eastTNweather app or check in with us before you head out the door. We’ll help you dodge any downpours and make the most of your weekend.
Next Week: Big-Time Heat Returns – Possible HEAT ADVISORY
Looking ahead to next week, all signs point to a strong ridge of high pressure building in. That means the heat really cranks up, and we could be looking at heat index values nearing or even exceeding 105° by Tuesday and beyond.
If that trend continues, the National Weather Service may issue a Heat Advisory — which is something we’ll be keeping a very close eye on. Remember, high heat like that can be dangerous if you’re working outside, spending extended time in the sun, or not staying hydrated. It’s not just about being uncomfortable — it’s about staying safe.
ABOVE AND BEYOND THE 7 DAY FORECAST
Extended Outlook: More Heat, Average Rain Chances
Beyond the 7-day forecast, the pattern looks to hold steady with above-average heat and near-normal rain chancesaccording to the latest guidance from the Weather Prediction Center. So we may not get a ton of relief from the heat anytime soon — but at least we’re not trending bone-dry.
Stay Connected with eastTNweather
As always, we’ll be keeping you updated across all of our platforms — including the app, website, YouTube, Roku, Amazon Fire, and social media. Whether you’re chasing sunshine or dodging storms, eastTNweather is here to help you stay ahead of it all.
That’s it for today’s update — stay cool, stay weather-aware, and enjoy your Friday-Eve!
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Meteorologist Mike Witcher
eastTNweather – Weather When You Want It