textproduct: Morristown

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 722 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

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 722 PM EDT Thu Sep 17 2026

The few showers and storms that developed this afternoon have mostly dissipated. Tomorrow will be similar with the best chance for showers and storms near TRI in the late afternoon and early evening hours. In the early morning hours, brief morning fog will be possible at TRI right around sunrise.

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.