Warm Today But A Cold Snap Is Coming

3/6/2023

Good morning! Sunshine is slowly overspreading the Smokies this morning as depicted from the Newfound Gap (6:30 am). Take advantage of that sunshine today as it'll be another pleasant one. We will see increased high clouds this afternoon, but otherwise, partly cloudy with highs in the low 70s.

Moving ahead, several disturbances will bring rainfall potential. Up first will be a passing low tonight, which will increase sky cover but things stay dry. That said, cooler temperatures will trail the frontal boundary, where highs tomorrow top out in the upper 60s to low 70s following upper 50s to low 60s on Wednesday. By Thursday, a passing low pressure system will bring showers and isolated storms Wednesday night into Thursday, with the best chances Thursday into Friday. Much cooler air will then follow the later system (as discussed further below). In terms of rainfall over the next 7 days, we are learning to between 1-2". Within any thunderstorms you can expect locally higher amounts, but generally 1-2" will be a good range now through the weekend.

Green thumbs and agriculture folks BEWARE. A pattern shift is coming very soon and its going to lead to some cold March temperatures. We mentioned the dry cold front passing tomorrow and this will push highs into the 50s and low 60s Wednesday. The system late week will further cool things, where highs this weekend only top out in the low to mid 50s. The trend looks to continue ahead for much of March, so much so that some could even see a few late season snowflakes at some point. For now, be aware that much cooler temperatures are on the way and it's a safe bet to hold off from planting. We could even find highs in the 40s across the area over the next 10 days. I know it may feel as if Spring is here but it's not quite yet.

Enjoy another beautiful day today, where highs soar into the 60s and low 70s. Similar conditions are set for tomorrow, before we veer much cooler and have the chance for showers return to East Tennessee.