Knoxville, Tennessee – A surge of Arctic air is expected to spread into eastern Tennessee between Jan. 18 and Jan. 22, bringing a pronounced shift toward colder-than-normal temperatures as a clipper system reinforces a broader pattern change across the eastern United States.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10 day temperature outlook, eastern Tennessee is favored to experience below-normal temperatures during this period as a deep upper-level trough settles over the East. This colder pattern follows the breakdown of a recent mild stretch, driven by strong ridging across the western U.S. and Alaska that allows Arctic air to press southward into the Tennessee Valley and Appalachians.
Daytime high temperatures are expected to run several degrees below mid-January averages, while overnight lows drop more sharply across valleys and higher elevations. The coldest conditions are most likely in the mountains of eastern Tennessee, where increasing winds behind the clipper system could produce noticeably colder wind chills, especially overnight and during early morning hours.
Through Jan. 22, precipitation chances are expected to remain near normal for this time of year, with no strong signal for widespread snow during the core cold window. Forecast guidance suggests the incoming Arctic air mass will be relatively dry, limiting snowfall unless additional moisture becomes available.
Looking beyond the immediate cold stretch, forecast outlooks indicate a 20% to 40% risk of heavy snow sometime during the Jan. 20–26 timeframe across portions of the Appalachian region, including eastern Tennessee. While confidence in exact timing and placement remains limited, the colder pattern could support more impactful snowfall if storm systems track through the region.
For eastern Tennessee commuters, students, and outdoor workers, the primary concern through Jan. 22 will be prolonged cold exposure, with increased attention needed for potential mountain snow later in the week.
