LIVE UPDATES: Snow and freezing cold temperatures move into Knoxville and East Tennessee

Sarah Riley and Silas Sloan, Knoxville News Sentinel

Snow is falling across East Tennessee, and freezing cold temperatures are moving in.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning through Jan. 16, predicting 4 to 8 inches of snow will fall. Conditions will deteriorate as the snow continues to fall throughout the day.

Wind chill will fall below zero, and the cold/wind combination will be especially dangerous at higher elevations and along ridge lines, the weather service warns.

The storm is packing a punch across a huge swath of the country. A deep freeze that settled in over the weekend threatened to wallop dozens of states with snow and ice, bring freezing temperatures as far south as Florida.

Check for live updates on the storm, temperatures, road conditions, tips on keeping your car and home safe, and the latest closures.

Radar shows snowstorm rolling through East Tennessee

Knox County residents should expect snow throughout the day.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Lyle Wilson told Knox News residents in Knoxville and areas north should expect 5 to 8 inches of snow. Eastern areas toward the Great Smoky Mountains will likely see about an inch less.

Snow should stop on Jan. 16, Wilson said, but expect significant wind to potentially bring temperatures to below zero. The National Weather Service expects Knoxville to only get to 25 degrees that day.

Wilson cold temperatures are here to stay all week, with a possibility for snow again Jan. 19, but it's too soon to predict an inch count.

With cold and slippery conditions, Wilson said residents should only travel when necessary, give themselves extra time to travel, bring necessary safety kits and equipment, and dress warm.

Wilson said to check on elderly family and neighbors if possible and make sure your pets are in a warm area.

Knoxville road conditions and closures

The city of Knoxville pretreated roads on the evening of Jan. 14. Crews are out plowing roads as the snow accumulates.

From the National Weather Service office in Morristown: "Plan on slippery road conditions. Roads will deteriorate as Monday wears on. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning and evening commutes."

KAT buses are on snow routes

Knoxville Area Transit busses are operating on snow routes, which are slightly altered routes to ensure safety.

You can check the snow routes at katbus.com/schedules-maps/snow-routes. For the latest bus info, you can check KAT’s website, their Facebook or X, formerly known as Twitter, or by calling 865-637-3000. You can also use KAT’s Transit app.

Cancelations

  • The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Tribute Service that had been scheduled for noon at Overcoming Believers Church in Knoxville has been postponed. An alternate date and time will be announced later, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission announced on its Facebook page.

  • The MLK Jr. Day event in downtown Sevierville has been canceled due to the inclement weather.

Knoxville opens warming shelters

In addition to the year-round shelters, three overnight emergency warming centers are open for people and their pets. Doors close for the night at 8 p.m. (meaning guests have to be inside by that time).

  • Cokesbury Church: 9919 Kingston Pike, open 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.

  • Vestal United Methodist Church, 115 Ogle Ave., open 5 p.m. to 10 a.m.

  • Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church, 2700 E. Magnolia Ave., open 5 p.m. to 10 a.m.

Volunteers are needed. Please sign up:

Vestal: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../9040F49A4AC22A5F85...

Magnolia: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../9040F49A4AC22A5F85...

To get more info, call 865-215-4010. To volunteer, call 211 or email office@knoxtnhousing.org. To donate new or used sleeping bags or comforters, or new socks and underwear, call KARM at 865-673-6540.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed due to hazardous conditions.

You can receive park updates by calling 865-436-1200, the park's Facebook or X, formerly known as Twitter, or at a visitor center.

Stay safe in your car and in your home

There are a few steps to take ‒ and a few myths to avoid ‒ to keep your car running in the bitter cold.

You don't want frozen pipes or to feel cold in your own house. Take these steps now to be cozy and safe.

Power outages can be dangerous. Here's how to stay safe and avoid fires.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville weather live updates: Snow and cold move into East Tennessee

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