Smokies Weather Week Ahead: Daily Storm Chances, But No Washout in Sight

Meteorologist Kyle Grainger says the pattern stays unsettled, with a few downpours and gusty winds possible each afternoon.

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Storm Center) — If you’re making plans across the Smokies this week, keep an eye on the sky — but there’s no reason to cancel those plans just yet.

Most storms will be garden-variety summer thunderstorms. A severe storm is unlikely, but it’s not completely out of the question. Any thunderstorm that develops could briefly produce a heavy downpour and some gusty winds.

The mountains will also create some differences in timing and coverage between the Tennessee and North Carolina sides.

🌦️ Three things to know this week

1. Storm chances are with us most days.
Monday through Wednesday all feature chances for showers and thunderstorms. The best opportunity will generally come during the afternoon and evening hours.

2. Any storm can bring a quick, heavy downpour.
Even if severe weather isn’t expected, a stronger storm could produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain. In the mountains, rainfall can vary dramatically from one location to another.

3. North Carolina looks a little wetter and cooler.
The Waynesville and western North Carolina side of the Smokies has higher rain chances Monday and a few degrees cooler temperatures compared with Gatlinburg. Overnight lows will also be noticeably cooler in the North Carolina mountains.

Tennessee vs. North Carolina: What’s different?

🌧️ North Carolina starts wetter: Waynesville has a 60% rain chance Monday compared with 40% in Gatlinburg.

🌡️ North Carolina stays cooler: Highs are generally a couple of degrees lower, while overnight lows are about 6-8 degrees cooler.

⛈️ Storms remain possible on both sides: Neither side looks like a washout, but any thunderstorm could produce a quick downpour and gusty winds.

The bottom line: Keep the Smokies.LIVE Radar handy, but keep making those summer plans. Most of the time, we’ll be dealing with passing showers and thunderstorms rather than an all-day rain.

And remember — in the mountains, weather can change quickly. If thunder rolls in, head indoors until the storm passes.