textproduct: Morristown

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 720 PM EDT Sun Mar 8 2026

- Warming trend is expected through Wednesday with near record temperatures possible again.

- A dynamic system will impact the eastern U.S. Wednesday to Wednesday night. The severe threat is uncertain in our area, but this time period is worth watching.

- Light snow is possible in the higher elevations by Thursday morning, followed by a brief return of cool and drier conditions.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 149 PM EDT Sun Mar 8 2026

Currently overcast skies and a few weak showers, mainly across the Appalachians, are present as the front makes it's way across the region. Temperatures are not dramatically cooler behind the boundary, but based on upstream observations and cloud coverage have brought down high temperatures for today... Which are still several degrees above seasonal normals. As the day continues into tonight we'll see clouds eventually break up and we could get a short window of some sun peaking through at the end of the day for some. With the possibility of clearing skies and light wind, we could also see some patchy fog develop overnight, especially if the clouds clear out more than anticipated.

This work week another rapid warm up is expected with increasing low level winds out of the south/southwest and strengthening riding in the mid/upper levels of the atmosphere. This will rocket temperatures back up to near record highs Tuesday and Wednesday.

Daily Record High Maximum Temperatures

Date Chattanooga Knoxville Tri-Cities Oak Ridge 03-09 82(2009) 82(1925) 79(2016) 80(1974) 03-10 81(2009) 81(2016) 82(2016) 81(2016) 03-11 81(2006) 81(2006) 78(2006) 80(1990)

In addition to the near record highs, this will also bring in a moist unstable airmass ahead of our next system, currently expected Wednesday into Wednesday night. A strengthening surface low drives out of the plains towards the Great Lakes Region being added by a deepening trough in the mid/upper levels. This will also induce a fairly strong LLJ over our region. All of this will combine to bring in what looks to be a pretty strong front and line of severe thunderstorms to the Tennessee Valley. While it's still too early to get into the specifics of severe ingredients...Models are generally trending towards evening/overnight timing of this system in the eastern Tennessee Valley... An overnight event, compared to a afternoon event can have dramatic affects on the types of severe weather experienced. However all modes of severe weather are still on the table at this time. This will be the day to keep an eye on for this forecast.

Regardless of the what severe weather does or does not occur Wednesday into Thursday everyone will experience the dramatic cool- down for Thursday morning through Friday morning. High temperatures will likely drop 25 or more degrees on Wednesday compared to Thursday. One way to tell we're in spring is that this dramatic cooldown does not last very long. After a chilly start to Friday morning (with parts of southwest VA possibly dipping below freezing) we warm back up into the 60's for much of the Valley, and 70's over the weekend. So don't put up the winter jacket yet, but also don't put away the shorts either for next week.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 720 PM EDT Sun Mar 8 2026

Rain has moved out of the region. Conditions are mainly VFR currently but overnight MVFR CIGs are expected at all terminals. There is also a chance for fog in the morning hours but confidence is somewhat low. VFR conditions will return by mid morning.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Chattanooga Airport, TN 55 79 61 79 / 10 10 60 50 Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN 55 75 57 77 / 20 0 40 50 Oak Ridge, TN 53 75 57 76 / 10 0 40 40 Tri Cities Airport, TN 53 71 48 75 / 10 0 10 20

MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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