Region Sees Heavy Snowfall, Exceeding Forecasts

Tri-Cities area accumulates double or triple the snow of surrounding regions

Feb. 1, 2026 at 4:15pm

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Johnson City and the surrounding Tri-Cities region were blanketed in heavy snow over the weekend, with snowfall totals far exceeding initial weather forecasts. The National Weather Service reported that areas like Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Unicoi saw over a foot of snow, while nearby Knoxville received significantly less.

Why it matters

The sharp accumulation gradient across the region highlights the unpredictable nature of winter weather patterns, and the challenges local forecasters face in accurately predicting snowfall totals. The heavy snow has also created hazardous driving conditions that will persist through the early part of the week.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, the heavy snowfall was due to colder temperatures in the Tri-Cities area compared to surrounding regions. Forecaster Andrew Moulton explained that "the colder the temperature, the more snow that can accumulate." Specific snowfall totals included 8 inches in Johnson City, 13.2 inches in Jonesborough, 9 inches in Kingsport, 8 inches in Erwin, 11.3 inches in Limestone, and 10.5 inches in Unicoi.

  • The snow began falling on Friday evening and continued through Saturday.
  • Temperatures are expected to rise into the 30s and 40s on Monday and Tuesday, which should help melt some of the snow.
  • There is a 70% chance of rain on Tuesday night, which could turn into light snow flurries overnight into Wednesday.

The players

Andrew Moulton

A forecaster with the National Weather Service of Morristown who provided insights into the heavy snowfall in the region.

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What they’re saying

“The colder the temperature, the more snow that can accumulate. The snow piles up.”

— Andrew Moulton, Forecaster, National Weather Service of Morristown

What’s next

Commuters should continue to drive with caution over the next week as roads could stay icy, and should give themselves extra time to reach their destinations.

The takeaway

This heavy snowfall event highlights the unpredictable nature of winter weather patterns and the challenges local forecasters face in accurately predicting snowfall totals. The sharp accumulation gradient across the region serves as a reminder that even neighboring areas can experience vastly different weather conditions during the same storm.