LIVE UPDATES: Freezing cold in Knoxville is thwarting plans this weekend. Get the latest!
A wind chill advisory in East Tennessee has been extended to 10 am. Jan. 21, which could mean temperatures that feel like 10 degrees below zero. ❄️❄️❄️
"The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken," the National Weather Service warns.
It's even more dangerous in the mountains, where temps can feel like 20 below. Yikes.
Today's highs will only be in the low 20s, so the ice that formed this week isn't going anywhere. In fact, temps might not even top the freezing point until Jan. 23.
Here are the latest weekend updates as they happen. Stay safe, everyone!
Gatlinburg Bypass has reopened
The Gatlinburg Bypass has reopened, according to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The bypass closed Jan. 17 due to winter weather and reopened Jan. 18, only to close again that day.
Additionally, Laurel Creek Road and the Cades Cove Loop Road have reopened.
Roads cleared near you? Others need help!
Mobile Meals is still looking for anyone with four-wheel drive to help deliver food Jan. 22. Deliveries start mid-morning and last roughly two hours, according to the city.
If you're interested, text your name to 865-680-2594 to coordinate pickup locations and times.
Additionally, volunteers and donations are needed at the warming shelters set up in coordination with the Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability.
Those shelters are located at Vestal United Methodist Church in South Knoxville, Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church in East Knoxville, Cokesbury Church in West Knoxville and the Salvation Army on the northern edge of downtown Knoxville, which is being used as overflow from the churches.
Anyone interested in helping should email office@knoxtnhousing.org.
Seriously, drivers, watch out for black ice
“Roads aren't just salted and plowed one time and they're done,” city of Knoxville spokesperson Eric Vreeland told Knox News. “They require treatment after treatment after treatment due to new accumulation, low temps, refreezing.”
There are 500 lane miles of high-priority roads and bridges in the city that need to be plowed, and then neighborhood and residential roads will be addressed. Priority roads must be plowed first to get into neighborhoods, noted Kristin Farley, director of city communications.
When more rain and snow fell Jan. 19, crews had to abandon the progress they were making on neighborhood roads and head back to plow and salt the main drags.
KAT will operate severe snow routes today
Knoxville Area Transit posted at 8:40 a.m. that it planned to run buses on severe snow routes today, beginning with its 11:15 a.m. line-up and through the 8:15 p.m. line-up. KAT said operators would be using extra caution, so slight delays should be expected.
The door-to-door LIFT service will be available on an as-needed basis if road conditions permit. You can call 865-637-3000 or 865-215-7850 between 10:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. for information, though wait times may be higher.
KAT's severe snow routes are:
Route 11: Kingston Pike
Route 12: Western Avenue
Route 22: Broadway
Route 31: Magnolia
Route 41: Chapman Highway
City gives early glimpse at huge price tag of winter storm
In a post online, the city of Knoxville gave a preliminary look at how much winter storm operations have cost so far, though the full price tag won't be known for a week or two.
As of mid-week, the city had spent $335,000 on things like overtime pay for staff working around the clock and equipment.
The cost of replenishing its salt stores was also steep. Knoxville ordered an extra 1,800 tons of salt at $122 a ton. In case you don't have a calculator handy, that's $219,600.
Worried about all of the snow melting? The TVA isn't
Ahead of next week's big thaw, when the 6.5 to 10 inches of snow that fell Jan. 15 on East Tennessee will finally melt, the Tennessee Valley Authority is monitoring how runoff may affect river levels.
TVA's River Forecast Center balances water levels along the Tennessee River, where snow runoff may push the federal utility to let water through some of its dams.
Darrell Guinn, the center's senior manager, told Knox News the blanket of snow in Knoxville and Knox County is equivalent to between 0.5 and 1 inches of water. That's not much. For comparison, a light storm Jan. 9 brought 2.37 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
So if you're expecting a major flood, that won't be the case.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopens some major roads
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced at 11 a.m. today that Laurel Creek Road and Cades Cove Loop Road have reopened.
Because of icy roads, the Sugarlands Visitor Center had a delayed open at 11 a.m. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center and Deep Creek facilities are open today.
Many roads in the park remain closed, and park officials have asked visitors to exercise caution while driving on remaining patches of snow and ice. Check the park's website and social media pages for road closure updates.
Today's cancellations
The city's solid waste facility at 1033 Elm St. will be closed today.
No garbage or recyclable pickup was available this week, but pickup is expected to resume on residents' scheduled day this week. Overflow garbage can be placed in separate bags and overflow recycling can be placed in a cardboard box or clearly labeled bin.
Knoxville city offices are closed for the weekend.
Knox County libraries are closed and will remain closed until Jan. 22.
Knox County offices and courts are closed.
State of Tennessee offices are closed for the weekend.
Schools have yet to announce if they will be in session on Monday, Jan. 22. Check out the past week's school closures here.
Knoxville recreation programs are canceled or closed, but some centers may be open. Call before you go.
Knoxville Museum of Art is closed today and Sunday.
McGhee Tyson Airport is fully open and operational in the cold temperatures, but some airlines have canceled a few flights in the past 24 hours, according to FlightAware. Here's what airport staff wants you to know.
At Repticon, show must go on
Repticon is returning today and Sunday to the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park, and not even snow and ice could stop the lizardy and snaky fun.
The traveling reptile exposition announced online that the show would go on today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a slight modification. All normal guest entrances are closed for weather, so attendees must enter at 401 Lakeside St. and be directed to the exposition.
If you want to find a new reptilian pet, tickets are still available online.
Cabin fever setting in?
Try these ideas and activities. Just call first to make sure your destination is open; staffing has been an issue around town this week.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville weather live updates: Freezing cold is thwarting plans
