It's nearly time for the Friday night lights of high school football, pumpkin spice lattes and all things Halloween.
Fall is quickly approaching; however, the cool autumn air in East Tennessee may be further off, according to the National Weather Service's three-month climate prediction.
The National Weather Service has forecasted above-average temperatures in August, September and October for East Tennessee and across the entire Southeast region.
The Old Farmer's Almanac forecast echoes the same pattern: The temperature will likely be warmer than average this fall. September is expected to have an average temperature of 78 degrees, and October will be around 64 degrees, according to the forecast.
While the two climate predictions agree on a warm autumn, they diverge when it comes to forecasts for precipitation.
The National Weather Service forecasts an autumn with above-average precipitation, while The Old Farmer's Almanac said East Tennessee will have a warm but dry season.
What is fall like in Knoxville, Tennessee?
Though Knoxville is in the South, you'll still experience the leaves changing color and falling, with crisp autumn mornings.
There are lots of spots to see landscapes full of fall hues around Knoxville, Gatlinburg and beyond. If you're willing to travel across the North Carolina state line, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a popular route to see the Smoky Mountains painted in vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow for autumn.
Temperatures in August reach as high as 88 degrees and slowly grow colder through the season. By November, there has been a nearly 40-degree dip in temperatures.
What is the average fall temperature in Knoxville?
These are the average temperatures for fall in Knoxville, Tennessee, according to the National Weather Service. The "normal" temperatures are based on 30-year averages for the period of 1991-2020.
August: Average temperature 77.6 degrees, high 87.8 degrees, low 67.5 degrees
September: Average temperature 71.8 degrees, high 82.5 degrees, low 61.1 degrees
October: Average temperature 60.3 degrees, high 71.7 degrees, low 48.9 degrees
November: Average temperature 49 degrees, high 60 degrees, low 38.1 degrees
Does Knoxville get all four seasons?
Yes. Knoxville's temperatures fluctuate throughout the year and the region has four distinct seasons. In the summer, Knoxville commonly sees temperatures above 90 with a heat index or "feels like" temperature exceeding 100 degrees.
During the winter months, Knoxville gets some snow. The region receives an average of 4.6 inches of snowfall, according the the National Weather Service.
When will leaves change color in Gatlinburg, East Tennessee?
By early October, trees at a high altitude in the Smokies, above 4,000 feet, generally begin to change colors for the fall. The best time to see the Great Smoky Mountains at the peak of their autumn color is generally late October or early November, according to the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.
When is the first day of fall?
Students in Knox County and across East Tennessee head back to school in early August. While the back-to-school season is typically associated with the fall, autumn does not officially start until late September.
The first day of fall, also known as the fall equinox, will be Sept. 22.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Fall 2025 forecast for Knoxville: Temperature, when leaves will change
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