Snow fell across much of East Tennessee on Sunday.
As of 6 a.m. Monday, snow had been cleared from most major roads and interstates, although there were light flurries still falling, and traffic was flowing normally for most in Knox County and surrounding areas. TDOT had reported a few minor wrecks and traffic had slowed significantly as snow covered most lanes of travel Sunday. That has since been cleared.
#snoWBIR: What's out your window?
Road conditions are not expected to deteriorate beyond what was seen Sunday morning. TDOT said it has crews actively plowing and treating interstates and highways. Another lighter band of snow came through early Monday.
TDOT said it's focusing particularly on I-81/I-26 and the Tri-Cities, as well as I-75 in Anderson and Campbell Counties.
People will still need to drive carefully and be alert for slick spots, particularly on bridges and overpasses.
KUB reported power outages that affected nearly 8,000 people in West, East and Northeast Knox County on Sunday-- likely due to downed trees and power lines from a combination of saturated ground and heavy, wet snow. Power had been restored to almost all KUB customers early Monday.
Major Roads/Interstates
- TDOT crews were out and monitoring routes early Monday morning. Those crews will continue to monitor and treat roadways until precipitation has finished.
- I-40/I-640 have been cleared and treated as of Sunday night.
- Slick conditions were reported Sunday on I-75 in Campbell and Anderson counties -- TDOT is monitoring and treating as necessary.
- Interstates 81, 77 and 26 were snow-covered and slick Sunday. Unnecessary travel was discouraged to and from the Tri-Cities. Traffic was flowing on I-81 North on the Virginia side of the Tennessee/Virgnia state line Monday.
- In the Smokies, Cades Cove Loop road is closed due to snow and ice temporarily. Laurel Creek road is closed temporarily due to snow and ice also from Tremont Road to Cades Cove. US 441 (Newfound Gap Road) is closed due to ice and snow. Foothills Parkway West from Walland to Wears Valley was closed at 6 pm on Dec. 7 due to forecast ice & snow and has remained closed.
County Road Conditions
Knox: No major issues early Monday morning. Authorities are only responding to emergency calls.
Blount: No major issues reported in the foothills/lower elevations, snow was melting in the lower elevations when it hit the ground early Monday.
Sevier: No major issues reported across most of the county.
Anderson: No major issues reported, roads in the area were wet early Monday morning.
Campbell: Multiple wrecks reported across the county Sunday have been cleared. I-75 and backcountry roads were slick from snow and sleet Sunday night, but there were no reports of accidents early Monday morning. Use caution driving in the area.
Claiborne: Roads around the county and in Tazewell were snow-covered and slick . Use extreme caution if driving.
Cocke: Roads were snow-covered and slick. Use caution if driving.
Cumberland: Under a weather advisory with slick roads. Use caution if driving.
Fentress: No issues reported.
Grainger: Roads were snow-covered and slick Sunday night. Use caution if driving.
Greene: Several wrecks reported after people slid off the road Sunday. Roads were snow-covered and slick Monday with big flakes of snow sticking to the ground. Use caution if driving.
Hamblen: Snow has covered many roads and crews were working to clear them overnight. Use caution if driving. Morristown PD is reporting that roads are slushy and in fair condition in the city at this time. They say if you must go; go slow!
Hancock: Roads were snow covered and slick Sunday. Use caution if driving.
Hawkins: Roads were snow covered and slick Sunday. Use caution if driving.
Jefferson: No wrecks reported early Monday. Officers were reporting slushy, slick roads all over the county on both secondary AND main roads. Use caution if driving in the area.
Loudon: No issues reported. Roads were wet Monday morning, so use caution when driving.
Monroe: No issues reported.
Morgan: No issues reported.
Roane: No issues reported.
Union: No issues reported.