Knoxville, Tennessee – Eastern Tennessee is settling into a prolonged stretch of winter cold as Arctic air presses deeper into the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians, with freezing nights expected to linger from late January into February and little indication of lasting relief before Valentine’s Day. From downtown Knoxville along the Tennessee River to the ridgelines of the Great Smoky Mountains, colder-than-normal conditions are set to dominate daily life.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperature outlooks from January 23 through February 13 strongly favor below-normal conditions across the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians. Multiple outlook periods indicate repeated reinforcements of cold air, limiting opportunities for sustained warming as February begins.
In Knoxville and surrounding communities such as Maryville, Oak Ridge, and Alcoa, daytime highs may hover in the 30s and low 40s during the coldest stretches, while overnight lows frequently dip into the 20s, with colder pockets in rural valleys. The Tri-Cities region, including Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol, is likely to see more frequent hard freezes, especially during clear overnight periods. In higher elevations near Gatlinburg, Sevierville, and along the Foothills Parkway, temperatures may remain below freezing for extended periods, with wind chills dropping sharply along exposed ridges and mountain gaps.
The prolonged cold raises concerns for frozen pipes, vehicle reliability, and cold-related health risks. Frostbite can develop during extended outdoor exposure in windy conditions, while hypothermia risks increase for those without adequate heat. Residents are urged to insulate exposed plumbing, check heating systems, limit time outdoors during overnight and early morning hours, and bring pets indoors. Drivers traveling mountain roads, including U.S. 441 through the Smokies and stretches of I-40 near the North Carolina line, should be prepared for harsh cold conditions.
While brief moderation is possible at times, longer-range signals suggest Eastern Tennessee may not see a sustained warmup until after Valentine’s Day. Additional cold weather advisories remain possible as this extended winter pattern continues.
