Weather
East Tennessee Thanksgiving Weather Alert: Rain, Snow Possible Nov. 22-28
Knoxville, TN – East Tennessee residents preparing for Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel could encounter changing weather conditions November 22 28, with rain, mountain snow and potentially freezin
By Rachel Monroe · 2026-11-14T23:15:07.369Z
Knoxville, TN – East Tennessee residents preparing for Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel could encounter changing weather conditions November 22 28, with rain, mountain snow and potentially freezing rain among the possibilities as the holiday period approaches.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's NOAA Climate Prediction Center, eight to 14 day outlooks issued Saturday, November 14, favor above normal precipitation across portions of eastern Tennessee during Thanksgiving week.
The precipitation outlook indicates approximately a 33% to 40% probability of above normal precipitation in favored areas, suggesting a modest tilt toward wetter than average conditions.
Meanwhile, much of western and middle Tennessee has a weaker precipitation signal, with conditions closer to near normal.
These percentages represent the probability of above normal precipitation over the entire forecast period, not the chance of rain or snow on a particular day.
Could East Tennessee See Snow or Freezing Rain?
Despite a generally milder temperature outlook, snow remains possible, particularly across the Great Smoky Mountains and higher elevations near Gatlinburg, Sevierville and the Tennessee North Carolina border.
Communities including Knoxville, Morristown, Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol could experience rain during milder periods.
However, snow or freezing rain cannot be ruled out if precipitation coincides with sufficiently cold temperatures.
Higher elevations may experience wintry precipitation even when surrounding valleys remain warm enough for rain.
NOAA's extended outlook does not specifically forecast snowfall, ice accumulation or a winter storm.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Travel Outlook
Thanksgiving falls Thursday, November 26, followed by Black Friday on November 27.
Drivers traveling Interstate 40, Interstate 75, Interstate 81 and Interstate 26 should monitor updated forecasts as holiday traffic increases.
Rain could create wet roads and reduced visibility, while snow or freezing rain could make mountain routes and elevated roadways slippery if colder conditions develop.
No specific hazardous travel period has been identified.
More detailed forecasts should clarify precipitation types, storm timing and potential travel impacts as Thanksgiving approaches.
For now, East Tennessee faces a potentially wetter holiday period, with mountain snow and icy conditions remaining possibilities worth monitoring.