Over the next few days, Southeast Tennessee will be feeling a lot like winter, meteorologists predict.
Unfortunately for the youngsters pulling out their mittens for an epic snowball fight in a winter wonderland, a decent snowfall isn't in the foreseeable future.
"Some of the higher elevations on Sunday may get a quarter of an inch when they have these snow showers come by," said Paul Barys, a meteorologist for WRCB-Channel 3. "But nothing of real consequence."
Temperatures are predicted to bounce around the upper 30s to mid-40s through Thursday, with Friday expected to provide the biggest relief with a high of 50 degrees.
"Friday will definitely be the best day of the week as far as temperatures go - a few clouds, but it'll still be pretty nice," Barys said.
Showers are forecast to move in Saturday, followed by another cold front roaring in Sunday.
The low temperatures will set the stage for the rest of December, Barys said, but don't fear because the new year will provide for better days.
"The month of December probably will be relative to normal; it'll be the coldest month of the winter," he said. "And then January and February, there'll be some cold spells, but generally on the average, it's going to be above normal."
December's relatively normal temperatures over the next week or so probably won't include any record setters, Barys said.
North Georgia should expect conditions similar to Chattanooga's, said Brian Lynn, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Peachtree City, Ga. After some colder-than-normal days in December, rising temperatures probably will be in store, he said.
"The entire winter outlook for the South, including North Georgia ... expect temperatures to be warmer than normal," he said.
As far as snow goes in North Georgia, Lynn said that, on average, the area receives only a marginal amount.
"North Georgia averages a couple inches [of snow] every year," he said, "so there's no reason to think that potential isn't going to be here this year."
CHATTANOOGA FORECAST
Today: High - 37, Low - 22
Wednesday: High - 38, Low - 19
Thursday: High - 45, Low - 19
Friday: High - 50, Low - 26
Saturday: High - 49, Low - 32, showers likely
Sunday: High - 38, Low - 23, chance for snow flurries
Source: WRCB-TV