A 20+ Degree Plummet For Wednesday

Good Tuesday morning! A few clouds hang high in the skies above the Smokies, otherwise the remainder of East Tennessee is mostly sunny to begin the day. After what seems like many weeks, temperatures will make a return to average with highs topping out this afternoon in the low to mid 70s. Unfortunately, a big change comes Wednesday.

Image courtesy of the Stansfield's

The biggest highlight ahead comes this time tomorrow. A strong cold front is set to arrive tomorrow morning bringing the chance for a few light showers and even a few flakes (yes I said flakes in mid to late April. Though winter precipitation isn't normal this time of the year, the temperatures to follow won't be either. Highs Wednesday afternoon are set to be in the upper 40's to low 50's for most with gusty winds at times (will make things feel even colder). In addition, overnight lows Wednesday into Thursday will be in the upper 20's to lower 30's, so frost advisories and freeze warnings are more than likely. Following the cold swing, temperatures will slowly rebound into the weekend before another system brings better rain chances Saturday (no cold with this one). 

Looking from the left first, this is a shot of high resolution short-term guidance suggesting that four letter word (snow) across parts of the Plateau and Eastern Kentucky. Though little to no accumulations are expected, some will likely see a few flakes to mixed precipitation early Wednesday morning. We'll clear out by the afternoon but stay  chilly. The image to the right (hard to see) depicts lows in the mid 30's across valley locations. Model guidance does a poor job with temperatures, so will clear skies and an abnormally cold air mass rolling through, I am fully expecting lows in the upper 20's and low 30's Wednesday night. ​

That will wrap it up for today! Enjoy the beautiful conditions and "warm" (but actually average) highs expected this afternoon. We'll continue to update you on the latest advisories and warnings (potentially) issued in the days ahead. Take the proper precautions now though to protect sensitive plants and vegetations as cold air is set to arrive early Wednesday morning. ​

                                                                     Pre-recorded for 5pm show