East Tennessee Weather: Stormy Workweek, Hot and Sunny First Weekend of Summer

Happy Monday, East Tennessee!
On this June 16, 2025, at 6:56 AM EDT, we’re diving into the workweek with a muggy start, patchy dense fog, and passing showers signaling an active, stormy pattern. But hold tight—summer officially arrives Friday, bringing a hot, sunny weekend to kick off the season! From the vibrant streets of Knoxville to the misty trails of the Great Smoky Mountains and the rugged charm of the Cumberland Plateau, the EastTNweather platform, led by meteorologist Mike Witcher, delivers hyper-local updates via its app, website, YouTube, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV to keep you weather-ready. 

Monday: Fog, Showers and Afternoon Storms
Monday begins with a moist, unstable atmosphere, featuring patchy dense fog in low-lying areas like Sevierville, Cleveland, and along the Tennessee River near Chattanooga. Morning temperatures start in the 60s, with dew points in the low 70s creating a sticky feel. A few passing showers dot the region early, but partial sunshine by mid-morning pushes lunchtime temperatures to the upper 70s. As another disturbance approaches, afternoon showers and storms fire up after 2 PM, peaking between 4-7 PM. Highs reach the mid-80s, slightly above the seasonal average of 81°F, with a heat index near 90 due to high humidity.

The water-loaded atmosphere could produce 0.5-1 inch of rain, with isolated areas seeing more, particularly south of I-40 in Chattanooga, Athens, and Cleveland. While no widespread severe weather is expected, isolated strong storms may bring gusty winds (up to 40-50 mph) or heavy downpours. North of I-40, including Knoxville and Morristown, faces spottier storms but still risks heavy rain. The EastTNweather app is your essential tool for tracking these storms, with its Interactive Radar offering past, current, and two-hour future projections. Plan morning commutes or short hikes in Cades Cove, but shift to indoor activities like the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga or the East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville by afternoon. Drive cautiously in foggy areas until 9-10 AM and check the app for storm alerts. Monday sets the stage for a wet week, so stay prepared!

Tuesday-Thursday: A Persistent Stormy Pattern
The active, stormy pattern continues Tuesday through Thursday, with daily disturbances bringing afternoon showers and storms across East Tennessee. Highs will gradually warm from the low to mid-80s on Tuesday to the upper 80s by Thursday, June 19, 2025. Dew points in the low 70s keep the heat index in the low to mid-90s, creating a muggy summer feel. Each day could see 0.5-1 inch of rain, with a weekly total of 1-2 inches, though areas with repeated storms—especially south of I-40 in Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Athens—could see 2-4 inches. North of I-40, including Knoxville, Morristown, and the Tri-Cities, expects 0.75-1.5 inches.

Heavy rain raises concerns for localized flooding, particularly in urban areas like Knoxville’s Market Square, Chattanooga’s riverfront, or low-lying regions near the Little Pigeon River in Sevierville or the Hiwassee River in Cleveland. While severe weather risks are low, isolated strong storms could produce gusty winds or brief heavy downpours. The EastTNweather app’s Interactive Radar is critical for tracking daily storms, with push notifications for heavy rain or flood risks. Plan indoor tasks like visiting the Knoxville Zoo or the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga for afternoon hours. Use the app to find morning dry windows for commutes in Morristown or short hikes in the Smoky Mountains, especially north of I-40. The platform’s streaming updates on YouTube, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV, led by Mike Witcher, provide daily context, so check regularly for refined forecasts. Always “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” near flooded roads. This wet workweek keeps summer lively, but the app keeps you safe and flexible.

Friday-Sunday: Summer Arrives with Heat and Sunshine
By Friday, June 20, 2025, a trough moves east, and a ridge of high pressure builds from the west, ushering in the official start of summer with hot, sunny weather. Highs climb to the low 90s Friday through Sunday, with dew points dropping slightly to the upper 60s on Friday and Saturday, keeping the heat index around 95-100°F. By Sunday, dew points rise back to the low 70s, pushing the heat index near 105°F, creating a sweltering summer feel. Rain chances diminish significantly, with only isolated afternoon showers possible, producing less than 0.25 inches, making this a fantastic weekend for outdoor summer fun across East Tennessee.

The EastTNweather app’s long-range forecasts will confirm this sunny, hot weekend, with alerts for potential heat advisories. Plan barbecues in Knoxville, festivals in Pigeon Forge, or kayaking on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, but stay hydrated and take shade breaks in the low 90s. South of I-40, including Chattanooga and Cleveland, may feel stickier by Sunday, while north of I-40, like Morristown and the Tri-Cities, enjoys slightly less humidity early in the weekend. The platform’s streaming updates provide context for the weekend, ensuring flexibility for plans in Sevierville or the Cumberland Plateau. The first weekend of summer offers a radiant chance to celebrate, so check the app for the latest!

The Following Week Outlook: Hot and Humid
Early the following week, starting June 23, 2025, the hot, humid weather persists, with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s and dew points in the low 70s, pushing the heat index to 95-105°F. Rain chances remain low initially but may increase slightly by midweek, with typical afternoon showers possible, producing under 0.5 inches per day. This weather is ideal for water-based activities like swimming in the Smoky Mountains’ streams or visiting splash pads in Chattanooga, but heat safety is crucial—drink water and avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. The EastTNweather app’s extended forecasts will clarify this heat wave, with alerts for heat advisories or renewed storm risks.

The platform’s streaming updates on YouTube and Roku help plan for the heat, ensuring you stay cool during outdoor events in Athens or Cleveland. The upper 80s to low 90s offer a vibrant summer vibe, with the app’s precision helping you dodge showers for hikes in the Cumberland Plateau or festivals in Knoxville. Stay tuned to the app for updates as the week evolves, keeping your summer plans safe and thriving.

Rainfall Outlook: 1-4 Inches This Week
Over the next seven days, rainfall totals will generally range from 1-2 inches across East Tennessee, with Monday through Thursday contributing the bulk. However, areas hit by repeated storms, particularly south of I-40 in Chattanooga, Cleveland, or Athens, could see 3-4 inches, raising flood risks in urban or low-lying areas like Sevierville or Kingston. North of I-40, including Knoxville and the Tri-Cities, expects lighter totals, around 0.75-1.5 inches. The EastTNweather app’s Interactive Radar and flood alerts are vital for monitoring heavy rain, especially in flood-prone areas near the Little Pigeon or Clinch Rivers. Check the app daily to stay ahead of potential flooding and plan accordingly.