BRISTOL, Tenn. — A sharp turn toward winter has settled over Bristol and the rest of the Tri-Cities, and the cold is set to hang on through the weekend before a milder stretch arrives Monday.
Cold air pushed into Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia on Friday, ending a run of mild days earlier in the week. Rain showers were expected to change to a mix of rain and snow Friday night as readings fell close to the freezing mark.
In Sullivan County, the forecast for the early hours of Saturday calls for a slight chance of flurries under mostly cloudy skies, with a low around 30. Saturday stays mostly cloudy, with a high near 44 and a northwest breeze of 5 to 10 mph.
Lower ground around Bristol should mostly deal with wet pavement. The bigger concern sits in the high country, where spots above 3,000 feet could see a light coating of snow into Saturday morning, and winter weather advisories were issued for those elevations. Anyone driving toward the mountains overnight should be ready for slick patches.
After dark on Saturday, cloud cover thickens again and the thermometer drops back to about 30. Sunday turns partly sunny, with a high near 48, before the coldest night of the stretch: Sunday night is forecast to be partly cloudy with a low around 25 and calm wind.
Relief follows quickly. Monday is expected to be sunny, with a high near 58, giving Bristol a warmer start to the new week.
Residents may want to protect outdoor plants and pipes and check on pets before the coldest hours late Sunday. Those planning weekend errands, games or yard work should dress in layers, since the afternoons will only climb into the 40s even when the sun breaks through.
Filed under: Bristol TN Weather News