It didn’t take anything more than sunshine to nudge Lin Sanders and Tara Sylester outside their Middle Tennessee State University stomping grounds for a day trip to Chattanooga.
“This is perfect; it’s the best thing that’s ever happened,” said Ms. Sylester, before Ms. Sanders laughed and looked toward the bright sky adding, “they call it ‘Sunday’ for a reason.”
Coolidge Park was packed with people enjoying weekend temperatures in the low 60s, but meteorologists say the Frisbee-friendly weather won’t last long.
“We have a little disturbance coming in from the west for the week,” said Jerry Hevrdeys, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tenn. “It’s going to be all rain as opposed to snow now.”
When told about the temporary nature of Sunday and today’s blue sky, one seasoned Chattanooga resident was prepared to plunge into something that may not be around again for a while.
“I brought my tennis shoes, so I’m ready to run with him,” said Shiniqua Craig as she did her best to corral her energetic 2-year-old, Darius. “And for now, I can wear what I want. I don’t have to wear a jacket. Finally.”
But she might have to bring back the light jacket Wednesday if the forecasters are correct. The outlook calls for thunderstorms that night before the rain is reduced to a continuous trickle for the weekend.
Mr. Hevrdeys said the forecast is nothing strange for this time of year.
“The colder weather finally shifted back to the North where it’s supposed to be this time of year,” he said. “We’re back to more normal temperatures and more normal types of shower-and-thunderstorm precipitation now.”
As for whether Chattanooga will see snow again this month, Mr. Hevrdeys admitted to using a meteorologist’s trick, saying that nothing can ever be ruled out.
“I can’t say we’re completely done with it yet,” he said. “For the most part we should be done with the snow for this year, but Chattanooga has seen snow in March before.”
Forecast
Monday
High: 67 Low: 42
Mostly sunny skies will illuminate even warmer temperatures in the last day before gray weather returns.
Tuesday
High: 62 Low: 46
Showers are possible as temperatures decline a bit from this weekend.
Wednesday
High: 60 Low: 50
Cloudy skies return with a chance of thunderstorms.