textproduct: Morristown

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 322 PM EDT Thu Sep 17 2026

- Hot. Will become less hot next week. Drink plenty of water and find shade when possible when outdoors, especially in large outdoors sports venues.

- Increasing rain chances for the higher terrain this weekend into next week with the valley less likely to see rain, similar to a typical summer pattern.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 322 PM EDT Thu Sep 17 2026

As of this writing there are large cumulonimbus clouds in southwest Virginia and southern Kentucky producing showers and a few thunderstorms. A few gusty winds are possible with these storms, paired with lightning. A change of pace from the absolutely suppressive ridge we've had the last few days that stymied any activity.

Speaking of the ridge, the heat dome of doom, I mean the large and in charge pile of hot air, it is gradually shifting its central axis west towards Arkansas. As a consequence we're getting enough moisture now filtering in to begin sparking a few showers and thunderstorms where the oppressiveness and dry air has lessened enough. Today that's southern Kentucky and southern Virginia, maybe a spot or two in Tennessee. As we head into the weekend and early next week, and the ridge continues its two step to the left, this area will expand to the whole of the area and everyone will have a shot for a thunderstorm or two. Not everyone will get rain though, we're still in a summer pattern so its still hit or miss style. Next week we'll look to the Midwestern weather pattern to see if a forecast trough can spark better storm coverage down here between Monday and Wednesday, primarily during the afternoon hours still. For now not expecting severe storms, but any decent thunderstorm could pack brief gusty winds inside the core.

Tracking Chattanooga's consecutive 90F record, next Wednesday's forecast high is 89, and the day after is 87. So perhaps an end is in sight for the worst of the heat.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 136 PM EDT Thu Sep 17 2026

A few popcorn showers on radar now and a few more this afternoon expected, but not expecting terminal impacts. VFR conditions should generally reign supreme through the period with the exception of another bout of fog at Tri-Cities tomorrow morning. Included a TEMPO for IFR fog during the most likely timeframe. VFR by or shortly after 12z, as is typical.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Chattanooga Airport, TN 74 98 74 98 / 10 10 0 40 Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN 72 95 71 94 / 10 20 20 30 Oak Ridge, TN 71 95 71 93 / 10 20 10 30 Tri Cities Airport, TN 68 89 67 88 / 20 50 20 40

MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NC...NONE. TN...NONE. VA...NONE.