Closed today
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Seven-day forecast
See a full forecast here.
National Weather Service map at 10:30 a.m.Hamilton County General Government Offices are open today.
Jackson County, Ala., Schools will be on a 3 hour delay today.
The cold weather shelter run by Relevant Hope Ministries at The Community Kitchen has asked The Salvation Army to open tonight as for overflow. They had 150 stay with them last night due to the below freezing temperatures, according to a news release. The Salvation Army has borrowed cots from a partnering agency, The American Red Cross to accommodate guests tonight. The Salvation Army will open its doors at 800 McCallie Avenue for the cold weather shelter at 6 p.m.and remain open all night.
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The first snowfall of the year is expected to sweep in early today, with 1-2 inches of snow expected across the area and freezing rain forecast for later in the afternoon.
According to a National Weather Service alert, a winter weather advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. today.
The majority of snowfall is expected to come in the morning, when the temperature is expected to be 24 degrees, said Jessica Winton, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Morristown, Tenn.
Higher elevations may see up to 3 inches of snow today with a small chance of light snow continuing into the night, according to the NWS.
Many area school systems were quick to react to the forecast, calling off classes today.
Winton said highs will hover between 32 and 36 degrees today, and then remain steady in that range overnight.
WRCB Chief Meteorologist Paul Barys agreed, saying he doesn't expect many places to get below freezing tonight.
"We shouldn't have any real refreezing," Barys added.
Hamilton County is expected to dodge most of the heaviest winter weather, which will be seen mostly north of Interstate 40, Barys said. Some areas above that line could see 3-5 inches, he added.
Untreated roads could be a problem, but the Tennessee Department of Transportation said Tuesday responders are prepared for a mix of winter weather and all 95 counties are stocked with salt, snow plows and brine trucks to clear roads of snow and ice.
Winton did warn of potentially hazardous conditions in the region if ice forms, and said commuters should be careful in the afternoon.
Whatever snow or ice is left over on Thursday should melt fairly easily as temperatures move up to an expected high of 46 or 47 that afternoon.
Then there's the potential for more snow by midnight Friday, Winton said, and Saturday could be cold enough for snowfall all day.
Contact staff writer Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.