East Tennessee Braces for Early Winter Weather

East Tennessee is in for a wild weather ride. A cold front is on its way, bringing severe thunderstorms and a big chill. The fun starts on the evening of Oct. 7, with storms rolling in after 5 p. m. If you have plans for Friday night high school football, you might want to double-check the weather radar. The National Weather Service says Knoxville has a "marginal risk" of severe storms. The areas west of Interstate 75, like West Knoxville and Oak Ridge, are at higher risk. Expect gusty winds up to 25 miles per hour. So, if you're heading out, grab an umbrella and stay alert. But the storms are just the beginning. A cold front is sweeping through on Sunday, bringing a big drop in temperatures. Knoxville could see temps nearly 20 degrees below normal. There's a 70% chance of freezing temperatures below 28 degrees on Nov. 9 and 10. The high on Nov. 10 might only reach 40 degrees. Don't worry, though—temperatures should rise a bit by midweek. Now, the big question: Will it snow? Areas in the mountains and higher elevations could see 1 to 3 inches of snow on Nov. 9. The Tennessee River Valley probably won't see any accumulation, but flurries are possible statewide. This won't be East Tennessee's first snow of the year, though. LeConte Lodge, near the summit of Mount LeConte, already got a dusting on Oct. 30. The lodge reported 0. 2 inches of snow, thanks to a low of 27 degrees. November in Knoxville can be unpredictable. The average high is 60 degrees, and the average low is 38. 1 degrees. So, it's not unusual to see a mix of warm and cold days. Looking ahead to winter 2025-2026, both the Old Farmer's Almanac and the National Weather Service predict a milder, drier winter for Knoxville and East Tennessee. However, the Great Smoky Mountains and Appalachian regions might see more snow than usual. The National Weather Service also forecasts a 33% to 40% chance of warmer-than-average temperatures in December, January, and February. As for snowfall, it's expected to be an average year.