NWS forecasts wet holiday week, flood watch in effect

The National Weather Service in Morristown in forecasting a wet holiday week, and a flood watch remains in effect in East Tennessee from 8 p.m. today to 8 p.m. Friday.

Between two to five inches of rain is expected, with some local levels exceeding that, the Weather Service said.

The Weather Service is forecasting heavy rain tonight and Thursday, with thunderstorms or a chance of thunderstorms continuing through Sunday. The heavy rain could start tapering off late Friday.

The forecast for heavy rain on Thursday, July 4, has caused many cities in East Tennessee—including Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris, and Lake City—to postpone their Independence Day fireworks shows.

Temperatures on Independence Day are forecast in the high 70s.

Here is more information from the Weather Service flood watch, which applies to East Tennessee counties that include Anderson, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, Scott, and Union:

“A nearly stationary frontal boundary and a highly amplified upper level trough will be the dominant weather features over the southern Appalachian region through the end of the week. As a result, a deep fetch of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will spread north over the area. Showers and thunderstorms will become more numerous by tonight. With periods of heavy rainfall expected through Thursday through Friday. The potential for widespread heavy rain will begin to decrease late Friday.”