More sunshine and warmer weather again today as a ridge of high pressure builds in, but a cold front swings in late Thursday

THE BIG STORY

A ridge of high pressure builds in from Texas. This ridge will move over the southeastern United States through Thursday. Thursday into Thursday a cold front swings through. This front will weaken and lose it’s moisture source, making for a light rain event. The further west of downtown Knoxville, the better chance for accumulating rainfall. The further east you are, the less chance for much rainfall with this front. Therefore, the 20% of rain on Thursday (Halloween) will be after 7pm. The 20% on Friday will be until about noon. But, the clouds stick around through most of the day on Friday. Another ridge of high pressure builds in through the weekend, making for another fantastic weekend to get outside, or head to the UT football game.
ENJOY!

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TODAY’S FORECAST

We start the day off with some patchy dense fog, especially along the rivers and lakes. While it’s chilly, it’s warmer than average. Average lows are in the mid 40s, but temperatures will continue to be in the 50s to near 60. As we head toward the lunch hour, the fog will burn off and the sun will shine just a little more today. And, temperatures will reflect that. Highs top out in the mid to upper 70s. This evening will feel great, but of course, grab the light jacket if you plan to be out after sunset. Temps will fall into the 60.

ENJOY THE DAY!

BUT IT DOESN’T STOP THERE

READ ON FOR MORE

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THE REST OF THE STORY

You’ll see with the graphics below, temperatures will continue to trend above average. An average high for this time of the year is in the mid to upper 60s. But, we trend nearly 10-15 degrees above average. Near record highs. The other side of the story are the dew points. We just don’t see a big push of drier air over the next 7 days. Because of that, the dew points stay elevated. And when dew points are higher, morning lows stay higher, and above average.
At this point of the game, we might as well enjoy it because we all know the weather will turn colder, sooner than later.
For Halloween day, it will be very warm and above average. Highs top out in the mid to upper 70s. I do anticipate the clouds to increase as a cold front approaches East Tennessee. At this time, I do anticipate dry weather for the kids as they head out for Trick or Treating. The only caveat is that we could see some light rain along the Cumberland Plateau toward the end of Trick or Treating. Everyone else should see the light rain move in after we end the night out. The rain will push through during the overnight hours. This will make for a soggy, dreary damp start to our Friday morning. The clouds will likely linger through most of the day on Friday with the rain exiting to the east as the cold front moves east.
Heading to the UT football game on Saturday, the weather will be perfect.
It will be warm during the tailgate and cool, but comfortable by the end of the game.
ENJOY!

A LOOK AHEAD

As mentioned above, we are looking at high pressure and above average temperatures as we round out October and start November! While the Climate Prediction Center has added a small probability of an increase in the rain chances over the next 6-10 and 8-14 days out. However, based on the latest model guidance, I don’t see much in the way of rain heading our way. 
We desparately need some rainfall soon!
The good news is that as we head into the winter months, our precipitation will likely increase, based on climatology.