Mostly Sunny Skies & Drier Air Returns

Blistery cold temperatures have arrived today and will only progressively worsen this afternoon. Even though temps will stay in the low to mid 30's this afternoon, a north wind (funneling in drier air) will make things feel in the 20's to teens across the board. The snapshot below shows wind chill values at 1 this afternoon in the mid 20's for the valley and teens for Plateau. The one piece of good news associated with the breezy conditions is the fact that it will dry out road ways lowering the chances for any ice to develop overnight. 

Better news is on the horizon though, as a high pressure system from the west will build in the next several days. This will gradually warm temperatures back up to near 60 degrees by early next week as well as keep things mostly sunny overhead. Keep in mind the average high for this time of the year is around 60 degrees, so we will stay below that for the work week. Into tonight, it is important to note we will likely set numerous low temperature records across east TN. For Knoxville alone the previous low (set back in 1987) was 20 degrees and we are looking to have temps drop to the middle teens overnight. Wednesday morning will be a COLD one so dress you and your children according. 

Model guidance suggests remnant snow showers into the early afternoon for the Smokies before the system moves entirely out and to the east. Tailing it, we will have a high pressure system move in clear things up and gradually warming the temps as we progress through the week. Overall snow totals varied but to paint a brief picture around the region, Anderson County received around half an inch in the Norris area, Blount county recorded nearly 2 inches, Washington county had 2 inches, and Claiborne county had just over 2.5. That should begin melting this afternoon and eventually fade out entirely by tomorrow with temps getting well above freezing. 

That will wrap up your Tuesday forecast. Bundle up and stay warm as wind chills will make things feel nearly 15 degrees cooler than they truly are.