The “s” word is back in predictions.
Knoxville and East Tennessee may see snow on January 23rd and January 24th. According to the National Weather Service, the snowfall is the result of a winter storm that hit a large swath of the eastern United States.
Charles Dalton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Morristown office, said the storm is expected to be a “significant weather event.” East Tennessee could see unusually high snowfall amounts.
“The potential for a major winter storm appears to be high right now,” Dalton said.
After the snowfall, cold weather will set in, which means ice or snow may linger for several days before melting.
storm Can Dalton said this is similar to what happened in Knoxville in January 2024. This means snow accumulation could exceed 6 inches and have long-term impacts on roadways.
This is something to look forward to.
How much snow is expected in Knoxville?
Dalton said it’s too early to determine how much snow will fall in Knoxville and East Tennessee on Saturday, Jan. 24, but as the date gets closer, snowfall amounts will start to come into focus.
In the pursuit of the most accurate weather forecasts, meteorologists typically wait until about three days before a storm to predict how many inches of rain or snow an area may receive.
In the week leading up to a snowstorm, National Weather Service meteorologists monitor at least three different models for forecasts: one for the United States, one for Europe, and one for the United Kingdom. Three days before the storm, more weather models are available to forecasters.
“We look at the big picture first and then we look at the details and what’s most likely to happen,” Dalton said.
Temperatures set to freeze after snowstorm
According to the National Weather Service’s forecast, despite heavy snowfall on January 23 and January 24, snowfall will continue for several days.
Dalton said high temperatures are expected to remain around freezing next week.
“The cold air behind the storm will keep the storm going for a few days,” Dalton said.
What is a “severe” snowstorm?
“Significant” is a subjective term that depends on normal weather patterns in the area. What “normal” or “significant” snowfall means varies from city to city.
In East Tennessee, Dalton considers a snowfall total of 6 inches or more to be a significant amount.
What happens in January 2024?
Knoxvillians will remember the big storm in 2024 that shut down the city. Life in East Tennessee essentially came to a standstill after schools were closed for days and heavy snow seeped into the region and trapped it.
Knoxville recorded seven consecutive days with at least 4 inches of snow on the ground as frigid temperatures meant the snow didn’t melt.
Nine people died in that snowstorm, mostly from the cold.
When was the last time East Tennessee had a major snowstorm?
A large amount of snow falling in a 24-hour period in Knoxville is not unprecedented, but it is rare. According to the National Weather Service, Knoxville has received 8 inches or more of snow in 24 hours nine times since 1884.
This has happened seven times in the Tri-Cities area since 1938, including eight times when Chattanooga received more than 8 inches of snow in one day.
This is around the time of the latest major snowstorm to hit East Tennessee.
More than 8 inches of snow accumulated in 24 hours
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Chattanooga: January 10-11, 2011
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Knoxville: January 15-16, 2024
More than 10 inches of snow in 24 hours
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Chattanooga: March 12-13, 1993
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Knoxville: March 12-13, 1993
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Third-tier cities: February 2-3, 1996
Knoxville Weather Radar
Allison Kiehl covers top stories and breaking news in Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect team. Email: allison.kiehl@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville weather forecast: How many inches of snow will fall this weekend?