Uhh Summer Is That You...?

Happy Hump Day to you! Hope you have packed an extra bottle of water because today is gonna be a warm one. We could potentially see some record-setting heat across East Tennessee this afternoon. Records are as follows below:
The best potential will be Oak Ridge as highs are expected to top out right around that 83 degree mark (records don't date back as far there). The remainder of the larger cities will cut it close. High pressure is to our east allowing for plenty of southerly flow....the biggest setback (record beating wise) will be how quick and how much cloud cover is across the region through the afternoon. Time will tell, but do keep in mind the well above average temperatures. 

Looking at model guidance, nearly all are trending a bit more conservative with highs. Most have the valley topping out around 80 degrees but I am shooting for a few degrees warmer. With the positioning of the high, warm southerly flow, and past trend, I expect most to be in the low to mid 80's. 

Moving in to tonight and tomorrow, rain makes a return. A system currently working through the Central Plains will shift eastward bringing widespread rainfall late overnight (for Western/Middle TN) and into East Tennessee for Thursday. Rain amounts do not look too impressive with guidance suggesting around half in inch. Some locations could see locally heavier rainfall in areas where storms are moving through. We are not anticipating any severe threat through the day but areas of gusty winds and heavier rain are possible.

We will see another wave of abnormally warm air today before a little "cool" down arrives tomorrow with temperatures knocked down to the low to mid 70's. A few rounds of rain will also dampen things Thursday and again for parts of Saturday (more details below). 

                                                                     Pre-recorded for 5pm show