Knoxville Braces for Snow Showers and Bitter Wind Chills

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Winter Storm Warning and Cold Weather Advisory are in effect for the Knoxville area, with snow showers, plummeting temperatures, and gusty winds expected throughout the day. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, check road conditions, and take precautions to stay warm.

Why it matters

The combination of snow, ice, and bitter wind chills poses a significant threat to public safety, with the potential for power outages, dangerous driving conditions, and increased risk of hypothermia for those caught outside. Proper preparation and caution are crucial to mitigate the impact of this winter storm.

The details

Snow showers will be most common through the morning and into the afternoon, with new snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches possible in the valley and up to 6 inches in the foothills and near the Smokies. Winds are expected to increase to 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, making the already cold air feel significantly worse. Wind chill values could drop to around 2°F in the valley, with even more punishing chills across higher terrain.

• The Winter Storm Warning and Cold Weather Advisory are in effect throughout the day on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
• Snow showers are expected to be most common through the morning and into the afternoon on January 31, 2026.
• Winds are expected to increase to 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph on January 31, 2026.

What’s next

High pressure builds in on Sunday, February 1, 2026, bringing back mostly sunny skies and a daytime high near 29°F, although nights will stay very cold. A gradual warmup follows next week, with highs near 39°F on Monday, February 2, 2026, and climbing into the upper 40s by Tuesday afternoon, February 3, 2026, along with a slight chance of rain late Tuesday.