textproduct: Morristown

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 138 PM EDT Fri Sep 4 2026 - Very hot conditions will continue again today with highs reaching well into the 90s and heat index values approaching or exceeding 100 for most places outside the higher elevations. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water when outdoors.

- Heat Advisory extended through Saturday with conditions similar to today expected.

- A few storms this afternoon/evening mainly in southwest VA, and again on Saturday across the entire eastern Tennessee Valley. Some storms may may become strong to severe, with damaging wind gusts the primary threat.

-With a Heat Advisory in effect and the chance for afternoon thunderstorms anyone doing outdoor activities on Saturday should prepare for heat and keep an eye on the radar all afternoon.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 138 PM EDT Fri Sep 4 2026

Dog days of summer continue through at least Saturday with the stout ridge staying relatively locked in place over the southern United States. Heat Advisory that was in effect for today has been extended to now include Saturday. Temperatures and Heat Index values will be relatively similar both today and tomorrow, with triple digits values expected for much of the eastern Tennessee Valley. If you plan on attending any outdoor activities this weekend it's extremely important to plan for these high temperatures. Drink plenty of water and stay in the shade as much as possible.

In addition, the hot temperatures today and tomorrow will bring a couple of rounds of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. With the very high temperatures some of the strongest storms could become severe with damaging winds as the primary hazard. Showers and storms will be isolated in the Tennessee Valley today and more scattered in the higher elevations.

On Saturday, the trough dips into the Ohio Valley as the ridge moves a bit west to be more over the Plains. At the surface, a weak cold front will move through the region, bringing better chances for showers and storms, especially north of Interstate 40. With better synoptic lift in place on Saturday, there is also a higher chance for strong to severe storms especially in extreme northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia, closer to the trough. With moderate instability, weak deep layer shear and high freezing levels, the primary threat will be damaging straight-line winds once again.

Starting Sunday we'll get a "break" from these near record temperatures, but it's still going to be above normal for the foreseeable future as the stubborn ridge remains locked in place over the United States. There's a sliver of hope that heading into next weekend we get a bit cooler as a couple of system moving across Canada try and break down the ridge.

Daily Record High Maximum Temperatures

Date Chattanooga Knoxville Tri-Cities Oak Ridge 09-04 102(1954) 101(1954) 99(1954) 100(1954) 09-05 104(1925) 103(1954) 99(1954) 102(1954)

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 138 PM EDT Fri Sep 4 2026

VFR conditions expected for the next 24 hours. A few very isolated storms are possible this afternoon, but they're likely to remain isolated enough to not directly impact an airport.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Chattanooga Airport, TN 76 99 74 97 / 0 30 10 10 Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN 74 95 72 93 / 10 20 20 20 Oak Ridge, TN 74 96 71 93 / 0 20 20 20 Tri Cities Airport, TN 70 91 67 88 / 10 40 50 40

MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NC...NONE. TN...Heat Advisory until 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ Saturday for Anderson- Bledsoe-Bradley-Campbell-Claiborne-Grainger-Hamblen- Hamilton-Hancock-Hawkins-Jefferson-Knox-Loudon-Marion- McMinn-Meigs-Morgan-North Sevier-Northwest Blount-Northwest Cocke-Northwest Greene-Northwest Monroe-Rhea-Roane-Scott TN- Sequatchie-Union-West Polk.

VA...NONE.