Good morning and happy Sunday, everybody!
I sure hope you’re having a great weekend so far. We’re tracking not one, buttwo storm systems that will bring widespread rain and much cooler temperatures through the upcoming week. Storm number one arrives today and continues through Monday. Storm number two dives out of Canada by midweek, bringing another round of wet weather to wrap up the week.
We’re starting this morning off mild, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s — a big difference from earlier this week. Cloud cover is keeping us insulated, but the low levels of the atmosphere are still fairly dry. While you may see some radar returns this morning, much of that rain is evaporating before it hits the ground.
Between noon and 3 p.m., the atmosphere will begin to saturate from top to bottom, allowing light rain showers to develop across the Southern Valley and Cumberland Plateau. By late afternoon and early evening, showers will gradually spread north and east. Still, much of the day will feature light, spotty rain rather than steady downpours. The best chance for measurable rain through tonight will be south of Interstate 40.
Highs today will top out in the 60s, keeping us slightly below average. Rain coverage will increase after sunset, becoming more widespread overnight. By the Monday morning commute, expect steady rain across much of East Tennessee — especially along and south of Interstate 40. That’s where the heaviest rainfall is likely to occur throughout the day Monday.
As the front moves through, rain will continue off and on through the afternoon and evening before tapering late Monday night. South of Interstate 40 could pick up around an inch of rain, while areas farther north will likely see lesser totals but still a healthy soaking.
Temperatures Monday will stay chilly, only reaching the 50s, so it’ll be a cool, damp day overall. Behind this system, another storm begins to take shape over the Pacific Northwest before diving out of Canada midweek. This second storm will bring another round of rain to the Tennessee Valley Wednesday through Friday — and potentially some heavier rainfall totals.
By the end of the week, we could see 2 to 3 inches of rain in some spots — an impressive amount considering October is typically one of our drier months. The silver lining? We desperately need this moisture after such a dry start to fall.
Temperatures will trend about 10 degrees below average for most of the week, keeping things cool and feeling very fall-like. Halloween still looks dry but chilly, with highs in the upper 50s and trick-or-treat temperatures in the 40s.
So, get ready for a rainy week ahead — one that finally gives our lawns, lakes, and fall foliage a much-needed drink.
If you ever just want a quick, one-minute weather update, check out Witcher’s One Minute Weather on the East Tennessee Weather App. Just search East Tennessee Weather in your app store and download it free today.
