Rain and Gusty Winds Arrive Wednesday in Knoxville
A stronger weather system brings widespread rain and breezy winds to East Tennessee Wednesday into Thursday, with Tuesday the warmest day of the week.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Forecasts
A stronger weather system is forecast to bring widespread rain and breezy winds to East Tennessee Wednesday into Thursday, with Tuesday, November 3, the warmest day of the week at a high of 78°. Rain and rumbles could begin as early as the Wednesday morning commute for areas west of Knoxville.
Why it matters
Knoxville residents face a wet and windy midweek period after a mild, warm Election Day. The timing of the rain during the Wednesday morning commute and the gusty winds in higher terrain could affect travel and outdoor plans.
Forecast highs are 78° Tuesday and 72° Wednesday, with the Knoxville record for the date at 81° set in 1974. Gusts over 40 mph are possible in the Smokies Tuesday, and up to 2 inches of rain could fall west of Knoxville, though exact totals remain forecast estimates.
The details
A mountain wave event is setting up with gusty southeast winds coming over the Smokies, and downslope winds may reduce rain totals for areas closer to the mountains. Winds are expected to increase overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning across higher terrain, possibly reaching high wind criteria with gusts near 60 mph, while severe storms are not anticipated and the flooding threat is expected to be very minimal.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Warmest day of the week and Election Day, with a high of 78°.
Overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning: Winds increase across higher terrain.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Widespread rain and gusty winds, with a high of 72°.
Thursday, November 5, 2026: A few morning showers, with drier conditions expected in the afternoon.
Seasonal Patterns
Tuesday's forecast high of 78° sits just below Knoxville's 81° record for the date, set in 1974, placing this early-November warmth near but under the local historical benchmark. The midweek rain and wind arrive as the season transitions toward cooler temperatures expected by the end of the week.
Plan for gusty winds in higher terrain and possible travel disruption during the Wednesday morning commute. Expect rain to arrive west of Knoxville first, and keep outdoor plans flexible through Wednesday before drier conditions return Thursday afternoon.
The takeaway
Keep an umbrella handy for Wednesday and expect the warmest weather of the week to arrive on Election Day before a wetter, windier stretch. Cooler, drier weather is expected to follow by the weekend.
What happens next
Forecasters will update rainfall totals and wind projections as the system approaches Wednesday, with cooler temperatures expected by the end of the week.
Further reading
For the latest outlook, see the Knoxville Forecasts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WATE 6 On Your Side.
