Snow Blankets Tri-Cities, More Expected

Accumulation continues Saturday as officials warn of hazardous travel conditions

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:23am

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The Tri-Cities/Blountville area of Tennessee received 2.6 inches of snow by Friday evening, with an additional half-inch to inch expected throughout the day on Saturday. The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office reported investigating nine vehicle crashes and assisting 12 stranded motorists overnight due to the snowy conditions. Local officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and exercise caution if they must be on the roads.

Why it matters

Heavy snowfall can create dangerous driving conditions, leading to increased accidents and stranded motorists. The Tri-Cities region is not typically known for heavy winter weather, so this storm may catch some residents off guard and strain local resources like emergency services and road crews.

The details

According to the Morristown National Weather Service office, the Tri-Cities/Blountville area received 2.6 inches of snow by Friday evening. An additional half-inch to inch of snow is expected to accumulate throughout the day on Saturday. The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office reported investigating nine vehicle crashes and assisting 12 stranded motorists overnight due to the snowy conditions. Local officials, including the Hawkins County Rescue Squad, are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and exercise caution if they must be on the roads.

  • The Tri-Cities/Blountville area received 2.6 inches of snow by Friday evening.
  • An additional half-inch to inch of snow is expected to accumulate throughout the day on Saturday.

The players

Morristown National Weather Service

The local National Weather Service office that reported the snowfall totals and forecast for the Tri-Cities region.

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that responded to multiple vehicle crashes and assisted stranded motorists due to the snowy conditions.

Hawkins County Rescue Squad

A local emergency response team that is urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to the hazardous road conditions.

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What’s next

Local and state road crews will continue working to treat the roadways throughout the weekend as the snow continues to accumulate.

The takeaway

This winter storm has caught the Tri-Cities region off guard, leading to hazardous driving conditions and stranded motorists. The heavy snowfall is a rare occurrence in this area, highlighting the need for residents to be prepared for unexpected winter weather and heed the warnings of local officials to avoid unnecessary travel.