Noah McLane walks across the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus wearing shorts and a t-shirt Wednesday, February 6, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While Chattanooga saw freezing temperatures and a light snow in some areas last week, Thursday temperatures are expected to get in the high 70s. McLane said last week he was wearing long pants and sweaters.HISTORIC CHATTANOOGA WEATHER
Highest temperature: 107 F on June 30 and July 1, 2012Lowest temperature: -10 F on Jan. 21, 1985, Jan. 31, 1966, and Feb. 13, 1899Highest rainfall total in one day: 9.49 inches on Sept. 5, 2011Highest rainfall total in one month: 16.32 inches by March 31, 1980Highest rainfall total in one year: 73.70 inches in 1994Most snow in one day: 18.5 inches on March 13, 1993Most snow in one month: 20 inches by March 31, 1993Most snow in one season: 22.2 inches in 1917-1918Most snow in one year: 22.7 inches in 1992-1993Source: National Weather Service
Barely a week since schools were called off in anticipation of snow and bitter cold, a warm snap could set new record highs across the region – but it won’t last.
Wednesday’s temperature matched the local record high of 70 degrees; Thursday is expected to reach near the 80s.
“If that happens, it smashes the record,” WRCB-TV Channel 3 chief meteorologist Paul Barys said Wednesday on his weather blog.
The normal for this time of year in February is 53 degrees, Channel 3 meteorologist Alison Pryor said. The record for Feb. 7 was set in 1999 when it was 74 degrees in Chattanooga.