Honestly, if you stepped outside this morning in Chattanooga and thought, "Wait, wasn't it supposed to be warmer?", you're not alone. We've got a weird mix of bright sunshine and a biting northwest wind that makes the actual air temperature feel like a complete lie.
Right now, the mercury is sitting at 35°F. But thanks to a 6 mph breeze coming off the mountains from the northwest, it actually feels like 30°F. It’s that classic Tennessee winter trap where the sky looks like July but the air bites like January. Because, well, it is January.
Why today's weather for today in chattanooga tn is trickier than it looks
Basically, we are in the middle of a dry but very cold stretch. While the sun is out in full force with a current UV index of 2, don't let those clear skies fool you into leaving your coat at home. We are looking at a high of 40°F later this afternoon. That’s about 10 degrees below what we usually see this time of year in the Scenic City.
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The humidity is hovering at a bone-dry 30%. Your skin probably feels it already. When the air is this dry and the wind is coming from the northwest, the "chill factor" stays relevant all day long.
The snow question
You might have seen a "10% chance of snow" on your phone earlier. Here is the deal: a weak upper-level disturbance is moving through, but it’s moisture-starved. The National Weather Service in Morristown basically said this wave is "squeezing out" whatever it can, which might result in a few stray flurries or light snow showers, mostly toward the mountains. For downtown Chattanooga? It’s almost certainly going to stay dry and sunny through the daylight hours.
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What to expect as the sun goes down
Once we lose the sun, things get frosty fast. Tonight’s forecast is clear and cold with a low of 26°F.
- The wind will pick up slightly to about 9 mph.
- Precipitation chances drop to 0% for the overnight period.
- Expect a hard freeze.
If you have sensitive plants or pipes that tend to be finicky in sub-freezing temps, tonight is the night to be proactive. We aren't looking at record-breaking lows—the record low for January in Chattanooga is a terrifying -10°F—but 26°F is plenty cold enough to cause issues if you're unprepared.
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Looking at the bigger picture
The road activity reports for Bradley and Hamilton County show several utility projects on SR-60 and SR-17, and while the weather is clear for work, the cold can make those early morning commutes a bit slicker if there's any lingering moisture on the pavement. Thankfully, with 0% precipitation expected tonight, "black ice" shouldn't be a major concern, but always watch the bridges.
Practical steps for a Chattanooga Sunday
Keep your heavy layers handy if you're heading to the Tennessee Riverpark or walking around North Shore. The wind off the water will make that 40°F high feel much closer to freezing.
- Hydrate your skin: With 30% humidity, that winter itch is real.
- Check your tire pressure: Rapid drops in temperature like we're seeing today often trigger those annoying TPMS sensors.
- Pet safety: If it's too cold for you to stand outside without a coat for 20 minutes, it's too cold for your pets to be out all night.
Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts, but keep the heater humming. Tomorrow looks to stay cold, with even lower wind chills possible as we head into the start of the work week.
Stay warm out there, Chattanooga.