Knoxville, Tennessee – Arctic air is expected to continue influencing northern Tennessee from Jan. 24 through Jan. 30, though confidence in sustained below-normal temperatures is lower than across areas farther north as the region remains near the southern edge of the broader cold pattern.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, northern Tennessee falls within a roughly 50 percent probability zone for below-normal temperatures during the Jan. 24–30 period. This places the region in a transition zone, where colder air intrusions remain possible but are more likely to be interrupted by brief moderation.
Across East Tennessee, including Knoxville, the Tri-Cities, and the Interstate 40 and 81 corridors, daytime highs are expected to dip below late-January averages at times, while overnight lows frequently fall into the 20s. Cold nights could allow icy patches to persist on bridges, overpasses, and untreated secondary roads, particularly during early morning travel.
In Middle Tennessee’s northern counties, including areas near Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland, temperatures may fluctuate more noticeably. Even when afternoons trend milder, nighttime cooling is still expected to be sufficient for refreezing, especially in rural and elevated locations.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation urges drivers to remain cautious during overnight and early morning travel, when slick spots are most likely. Residents are encouraged to monitor temperature swings closely, protect exposed pipes during colder nights, and stay weather-aware.
While confidence is lower than across the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, the broader Arctic pattern remains influential, keeping below-normal temperatures a continued possibility across northern Tennessee through Jan. 30.
