Knoxville Weather Radar
Knoxville Live Weather
Knoxville Live Weather Radar
Knoxville Hourly Weather Forecast
Knoxville 7-Day Weather Forecast
Knoxville Weather Overview
The Knoxville weather radar tracks storms across the Tennessee Valley, where humid air meets Appalachian terrain to fuel year-round severe weather. This weather radar for Knoxville covers the Greater Knoxville metro and surrounding East Tennessee counties, helping residents monitor severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and winter ice before they strike.
Spring severe weather brings the greatest threat. From March through May, thunderstorms roll across the Tennessee Valley producing damaging hail, straight-line winds, and tornadoes. The April 27, 2011 outbreak sent an EF3 tornado through Knox County during Tennessee's worst weather disaster. The Knoxville weather radar shows these storms developing 30 to 60 minutes before arrival. Use the weather radar Knoxville TN for real-time storm tracking during tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings.
Flash flooding strikes when slow-moving storms stall over East Tennessee's hilly terrain. In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan's remnants dumped 5 to 7 inches of rain, triggering landslides. The radar weather Knoxville displays precipitation intensity to identify dangerous downpours across Knox County and surrounding areas.
Winter ice storms paralyze the city when freezing rain coats roads and power lines. The February 1985 Arctic outbreak brought Knoxville's record low of -24°F. Check the Knoxville TN weather radar before winter events — the weather radar Knoxville system updates every 10 minutes with live doppler coverage across East Tennessee.
Knoxville Weather Risks & Safety
Severe Thunderstorm Risk
Severe thunderstorms roll through Knoxville regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for Knoxville, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Knoxville's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.
Tornado Risk
Tornadoes hit Knoxville hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. Knoxville averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.
Winter Storm Risk
Winter storms hit Knoxville when Gulf or Pacific moisture runs into cold Arctic air — the result is some combination of heavy snow, ice, and strong winds. The key thing to watch on radar is the rain-snow line: that boundary determines whether Knoxville gets rain, freezing rain, or heavy snow, and it can shift by miles in an hour. When a winter storm watch goes up, stock your emergency supplies and plan to stay home.
How to Use Knoxville Weather Radar
Check Current Conditions
View the real-time weather status at the top of the Knoxville radar page to see temperature, humidity, wind speed, and current conditions across the Tennessee Valley.
Watch the Radar Map
The radar map shows precipitation and cloud cover moving across Knoxville and East Tennessee. Toggle between views and hit play on the animation to track storm direction and speed.
Review Severe Weather Alerts
During spring and early summer, check the forecast for severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings. The NWS Morristown office issues watches and warnings for the Knoxville area when conditions turn dangerous.
Plan Around the Forecast
Scroll to the hourly and 7-day forecast. Spring storms develop fast in East Tennessee — if severe weather is predicted, have your shelter plan ready and check back frequently as conditions change.
Who Benefits from Knoxville Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
Knoxville commuters on I-40, I-75, and I-640 can check the radar before heading out. Spring severe thunderstorms and winter ice storms hit the Tennessee Valley fast, turning highways hazardous within minutes.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Hikers heading to the Great Smoky Mountains or runners on the Knoxville Greenway system should check the hourly forecast before going out. Afternoon thunderstorms build quickly over East Tennessee's terrain, and the radar shows them 30 minutes before they arrive.
Event Planners & Families
Outdoor events at Neyland Stadium or World's Fair Park benefit from the 7-day forecast. On event day, the radar shows exactly when storms will roll across downtown Knoxville, helping organizers time weather delays.
Outdoor Workers
Construction crews and outdoor workers across the Greater Knoxville metro should check the radar before scheduling work. Spring severe weather brings damaging hail and lightning with little warning, and winter ice storms shut down job sites for days.