Living on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau is a weird, beautiful experience. If you've spent any time in Jamestown, you know exactly what I mean. One minute you're looking at a clear blue sky over the Fentress County Courthouse, and the next, a wall of fog rolls in off the plateau like something out of a movie.
Right now, the weather forecast for jamestown tn is serving up a classic Tennessee winter cocktail. Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, we’re looking at a high of 45°F. Sounds decent, right? Well, don't let that fool you. The current temperature is sitting at 24°F, but it feels like a biting 13°F because of the south wind.
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By tonight, things get messy. We’re expecting a mix of rain and snow with a 75% chance of precipitation. It’s that awkward temperature range where the roads get "greasy"—not quite a blizzard, but definitely enough to make Highway 127 a bit of a headache.
The Plateau Effect: Why the Forecast Always Changes
Jamestown isn't like Nashville or even Knoxville. We’re sitting at an elevation of about 1,700 feet. That height matters. Honestly, it’s the reason why we often get snow when the rest of the state just gets a cold drizzle.
Scientists call this "orographic lift." Basically, as air hits the rising terrain of the Cumberland Plateau, it’s forced upward, cools down, and dumps moisture. In January, that moisture usually turns into the white stuff.
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For the next few days, the weather forecast for jamestown tn shows a significant cooling trend:
- Saturday (Jan 17): High of 37°F, low of 17°F. Mostly sunny, but the west wind will be gusting at 14 mph.
- Sunday (Jan 18): Sunny but cold. High of 29°F.
- Monday (Jan 19): High of 28°F. The overnight low will bottom out at 10°F.
If you have outdoor pipes that aren't wrapped, Sunday night is when you’ll probably regret it. 10 degrees isn't "chilly"—it's "pipe-bursting" territory.
What the Averages Don't Tell You
If you look at historical data from NOAA, the average high for Jamestown in January is about 44°F with a low of 27°F. But averages are kind of like a lie. They suggest a stability that just doesn't exist here.
In reality, we swing between record highs in the 70s and record lows like the -8°F seen back in the day. We get about 59 inches of precipitation a year, which is way higher than the national average. Why? Because the plateau is a rain and snow magnet.
You also have to account for the humidity. In January, it hovers around 67% to 79%. That dampness makes the 30-degree days feel like they're soaking into your bones. It’s a different kind of cold than the dry air you'd find out west.
Surviving a Jamestown Winter
Local wisdom usually says to keep a bag of salt and a good scraper in the truck by November. But there's more to it than that.
- Watch the West Wind: Most of our winter weather comes from the west/northwest. When you see the forecast mentioning a west wind at 11-15 mph (like we have coming up this weekend), expect the "feels like" temperature to stay well below freezing all day.
- The 21st is the Day to Watch: Looking further ahead at the weather forecast for jamestown tn, Wednesday, January 21, shows another 35% chance of rain and snow with a high of 44°F. These "transition" days are the most dangerous for driving because of the freeze-thaw cycle on the asphalt.
- Humidity Control: Since it’s a moist climate, make sure your gutters are clear. Ice dams are a real problem on some of the older homes around the York Institute area when we get these 20-degree nights following a rainy day.
Real Talk on Snow
We usually get about 12 to 18 inches of snow a year. Some years it's a dusting; other years, like the big storms of the 90s, the plateau gets shut down. This week doesn't look like a "stock up on milk and bread" event, but the 75% chance of snow tonight means the morning commute on Saturday will likely be slick.
The sky is currently mostly cloudy, and that cloud cover is going to stick around for about 58% of the month according to Weatherspark data. It’s that gray, misty Jamestown winter we all know.
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If you're planning on heading out to Big South Fork or Pogue Creek Canyon, be careful. The gorge stays much colder than the town itself, and ice can linger on the trails for weeks after a freeze.
Keep an eye on the wind direction. South winds today brought us that 45-degree high, but the shift to a west wind tomorrow is what’s going to plummet us back into the 30s.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your antifreeze: With 10°F coming Monday night, make sure your vehicle is ready.
- Drip the faucets: Sunday and Monday nights are the danger zones for plumbing.
- Salt the porch: Do it before the rain turns to snow tonight to prevent a layer of "black ice" from forming under the slush.
The weather forecast for jamestown tn is predictable in its unpredictability. Stay warm, watch the bridges, and enjoy the sun while it's out on Sunday.