Today, Saturday: A Steamy Start with Storms and Flood Risks
We’re kicking off this morning with that familiar steamy feel—temps are in the 70s, with dew points adding to the muggy vibe, and just a few clouds dotting the sky. It’s a warm start, perfect for a summer weekend, but it’ll heat up fast. By lunchtime, expect temps to climb into the upper 80s, with afternoon highs reaching the upper 80s to low 90s—right in line with our average for this time of year. That heat index, though, will nudge into the mid to upper 90s, and it could creep near 100°F across the southern and Sequatchie valleys, so it’ll feel sticky! On the rain front, we’re looking at better coverage of showers and storms today, which is a relief since we need it. The Storm Prediction Center has us under a Level 1 risk for isolated strong to severe storms, mainly in upper East Tennessee. Damaging wind is the threat, but it’s isolated—if it happens at all—so be prepared but not panicked. The Weather Prediction Center has also flagged a Level 2 risk for localized flash flooding concerns. Most of us haven’t seen much rain this week, but if you’re one of the lucky spots that has, keep an eye out for pooling water, especially with today’s heavy downpours. The setup’s driven by a stalled boundary to our north and some mid-level energy sparking those storms, with the best action likely north of Knoxville. Use the eastTNweather app to stay on top of it—download it now!
Today, Friday: A Steamy Start with Hot Afternoon Storms
We’re starting off with morning temps in the 70s—warmer than yesterday’s already warm start—paired with dew points in the 70s, making it feel thick and muggy right out of the gate. By lunchtime, expect temps to climb into the mid to upper 80s, with afternoon highs settling in the low 90s. But here’s the kicker—it’s that heat index that’ll get you, pushing close to 100°F again. That sticky air will make it feel like a sauna, so take it easy, stay hydrated, and find some shade. On the rain front, today should bring a little better coverage of showers and storms—great news since we need the moisture! We’ve got high pressure parked across the southeastern U.S., pumping in that fuel for the day. At the surface, a stalled boundary is draped over the Ohio Valley and Kentucky, giving us a focus for more storms. In the mid-levels, energy is riding over that front to our north, setting the stage. While we’ll see some action, the best coverage will be to our north, though spots south of there aren’t off the hook. The Storm Prediction Center has flagged a Level 1 risk for damaging wind gusts—very isolated, but some storms could turn strong to severe. Rainfall will be heavy but patchy, so not everyone will get soaked. If you’ve had rain the past 2-3 days and get more today, watch for localized flash flooding. Stay on top of it all with the eastTNweather app—download it now at https://onelink.to/easttnweather for real-time updates!
The Rest of the Story: Weekend and Beyond
Looking ahead, Sunday will mirror today but with a slight twist. We’ll see much of the same—highs in the low 90s and a heat index closer to 100°F for most of us, keeping that muggy feel. Shower and storm coverage will dip a bit compared to today, and as of now, there’s no severe weather risk on Sunday. However, the flash flooding concern lingers, so if you’ve gotten rain, stay cautious. The same stalled boundary and lingering moisture will keep the pattern alive, though it won’t be a total washout—perfect for tweaking outdoor plans with the app’s radar.
Next week, the heat and humidity crank up a notch as a ridge builds in. Highs will warm into the mid-90s by mid to late week, pushing that heat index closer to Heat Advisory criteria—think around 105°F if it gets bad. We’ll still see those afternoon thunderstorms, but they’ll be more isolated, with the best chances along the Cumberland Plateau and Smoky Mountains. No major storm systems are brewing, so it’ll be a typical summer mix of heat and scattered showers. The Climate Prediction Center backs this up, forecasting sustained warmth with average to slightly above-average rainfall—welcome to July in East Tennessee!
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.
Why This Weather’s Happening
That steamy start comes from high dew points and a stubborn high pressure system over the Southeast, locking in the humidity. The stalled boundary to our north, paired with mid-level energy, is firing up those afternoon storms, with heavy rain possible in spots. The building ridge next week will amp up the heat, keeping us in that summer groove. For Knoxville locals, Chattanooga outdoor fans, and Smoky Mountain visitors, this helps you plan and stay safe.
Your Go To Weather App: eastTNweather
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 dodging storms. Download it now!
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 heat and the week’s forecast. Have a great Saturday, enjoy your weekend, and check back in—let’s make the most of this summer weather together!
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Meteorologist Mike Witcher
eastTNweather – Weather When You Want It