Cool, dry weather in store for Thanksgiving

Kellie Anisa Ali, of Anisa's Secrets, is all bundled up for the weather as she waits on waits on customers at the Chattanooga Market on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017.
Kellie Anisa Ali, of Anisa's Secrets, is all bundled up for the weather as she waits on waits on customers at the Chattanooga Market on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017.

Thanksgiving's weather forecast might be one more thing to be thankful for, if you're among those planning to be on the road, at least in the Tennessee Valley and surrounding areas.

"There's very little chance of rain all week, including Thanksgiving and Black Friday," Nick Austin, weekend meteorologist for WRCB, said. "It's probably going to stay dry, which makes it good for travel weather."

Temperatures will be slightly lower than normal, too, thanks to a cold front that moved through the area Saturday night. The front brought heavy winds and rain, but no severe damage or power outages were reported in Chattanooga or surrounding areas.

One tree was reported to have fallen in Dade County, Ga., near Cloudland Canyon.

"It was a strong cold front that came out of the plains states and barreled on through here," Austin said. "The air under the high pressure system is just a little bit cooler than normal for us this time of year."

Though temperatures are slightly lower than normal, even dipping near or below freezing a couple of nights, there isn't much of a chance for snow before Thanksgiving, Austin said. But some areas might get a little taste of snow after the festivities.

Seven-day forecast for Chattanooga

› Monday: Mostly sunny. High 56/Low 39› Tuesday: Partly cloudy, possible showers. High 57/Low 38› Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 56/Low 35› Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 55/Low 36› Friday: Sunny. High 58/Low 40› Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 62/Low 38› Sunday: Sunny. High 53/Low 31

"If anyone's going to the mountains, they might be able to see some snow [on Nov. 26]," Jessica Winton, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said. "It shouldn't be a lot, you know, maybe an inch or two."

Austin said snow this early is unusual for the area, but there have been a few days that have already seen snow in the higher elevations of the Smokies.

"It wasn't a lot, but they got a few inches," he said.

While inclement weather might not be an issue for traveling across the Southeast, Austin still cautioned people to drive safely.

"We're expected to have dry roads, but that doesn't mean people won't drive crazy, so just be careful," he said.

Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6327. Follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.

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