Rainfall & Colder Air Returns Friday

Wow! How about this view from Clingman's Dome to start the day. Things may be sunny and comfortable here at home but a few thousand feet above us temperatures are in the lower 30's and light snowfall can still be seen on the tree tops. Another round of wintry precipitation is likely early into the weekend for the peaks of the Smokies.

As for the valley, sunshine and comfortable temperatures will stick around today. Don't anticipate this to last long though, as more rainfall and cold air works in tomorrow. 

Showers will begin working in by the morning hours and will continue on and off into the afternoon. Behind this system is a cold front that will leave things, quite literally, freezing cold Friday night and Saturday morning. Sunshine will return for the weekend and early next week and temperatures will start to rebuild as well. 

Taking a deeper dive into the overnight low's Friday, model guidance is suggesting mid 30's here in the valley. I think guidance is trending a bit warm for low temperatures and here's why: Cloud cover is very important in forecast overnight low's. Clouds act like a blanket keeping warmer air in during the overnight hours. If this system works out by the evening and early overnight hours, the valley will likely see low's around the freezing (32) mark. This will leave low's in the upper 20's for those in the Plateau, northern Valley, and Foothills. Be sure to cover all important plants/crops Friday night and Saturday night. Frost and freezing temperatures will be a major concern this weekend.

Enjoy today as temperatures will be fairly comfortable and sunshine will stick around overhead. Another round of rainfall and cold air will arrive tomorrow before temperatures rebound Sunday.