A few evening clouds will thin out leading to a mostly clear sky by morning. It will be unusually cool to start your Friday followed by a mostly sunny sky. A few clouds mix in Friday afternoon but it should remain basically dry. Low pressure approaches Saturday afternoon leading to an increase in the chances of showers and scattered thunderstorms for the holiday weekend.

We will see a mix of sun and clouds again today with comfortable conditions in the low-mid 80s. There will be a very slim chance of a few pop-up showers/rumbles (10%-15% coverage Valley/Plateau, 20% coverage Mountains) through the afternoon, but don't cancel any outdoor plans. Friday looks dry, but scattered storms look a little more likely for part of the Holiday weekend (especially by Sunday).

A few clouds are expected tonight but rain chances remain nil especially compared to last night. A slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm returns to mainly highly elevations Thursday afternoon but most of Friday appears dry at this point. The best rain chances this weekend appear to be Sunday although a few scattered storms are possble on July 4th !!

A relatively tranquil weather pattern will stick around through Friday with lower relative humidity values, a mix of sun and clouds, only spotty storm chances and seasonable temperatures in the mid 80s. The better opportunity for wet weather appears to move in just in time for the Holiday Weekend. There will be a "slight chance" for a few afternoon storms on Saturday with rain/storms looking more likely for Sunday. We will keep a close eye on the rain chances as we know many people will be trying to make outdoor plans.

A cluster of showers and thunderstorms will move through the Tennessee Valey before sunrise bringing some strong gusty winds, heavy rain and small hail to some areas. Most of the activity should move out before sunrise. Most of the region remains dry on Wednesday with very slim chances of rain Thursday and Friday ahead of scattered storms for the holiday weekend.

Sometimes, I feel like the whole world is an expensive tuxedo, and I'm a cheap pair of brown shoes.

I had that feeling last night-- but I enjoyed it.

I was invited by former UT strength and conditioning coach Johnny Long to a house-party reception for former Vol Al Wilson. I was surrounded by heavy hitters-- local politicians, attorneys, former Vols Eric Westmoreland, Terry Fair, Robert Peace, Fred White, Steve Johnson, actor David Keith, and of course, former UT Head Coach Phillip Fulmer and his wife Vickie.

Ok, enough name dropping. I was the only member of the media allowed inside, which led to at least one humorous moment.

I walked into a room packed with former UT football players and Coach Fulmer. Kidding, I told Coach Fulmer this was the moment he was waiting for (me surrounded by his players). Fortunately they share my sense of humor (I think).

The evening was all about Al Wilson. After an eight-year career in the NFL, Wilson is returning home to Tennessee and will make Knoxville his home. To kick things off, Al is organizing a football camp for youngsters-- you can read more about that at wate.com.

Wilson personified what the 1998 Tennessee national champions were all about. True to his nature, he credits former Vol Tee Martin with leading the team to an unbeaten season. He downplayed his role on the team-- but truth be told, Wilson was instrumental to Tennessee's success, on and off the field.

It was good to see Al again. It was also good to share a few moments with players I used to cover. There were plenty of positive examples of UT athletes moving on to successful careers after their playing days are over-- Steve Johnson, for example, is successful in the restaurant business in Atlanta. Fred White now has his own radio show in Knoxville. Johnny Long is making plans to open a huge fitness center in Knoxville. He's already established two of them in his home state of Louisiana.

And in the interest of full disclosure-- I stole the tuxedo line from George Gobel-- a 1960s era comedian who ad-libbed it one night during the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. 

It was classic-- much like the 1998 Volunteer football team. 

A few thin clouds will float by tonight but most of the region should remain clear. A nice cool morning is on the way as lows drop into the 50's and low 60's by sunrise. Another great day is on the way Wednesday before a gradual increase in humidity late in the week. Chances of scattered storms increase toward the weekend.

If you liked Monday's forecast, I think you will be happy the next few days...mostly sunny, lower humidity values and highs near or below average (mid 80s). Overnight lows will be very comfortable as well in the upper 50s to lower 60s, so you can give the A/C a break. Moisture will start to return late week bringing the risk for scattered storms by the time we get to the Holiday Weekend.

High pressure remains in control tonight bringing a starry sky along with refreshing air. Many areas could start off in the 50's by Tuesday morning. Humidity levels should remain low through Wednesday with a gradual increase in moisture late in the week. Scattered thunderstorms will return to the forecast by the holiday weekend.

After what has seemed to be an endless pattern of high heat and humdity with strong to severe storms nearly every day, we will see a break to start the new week. Less humid air moves into the region for several days bringing lots of sunshine, seasonable daytime temperatures and no chance for rain. The overnight lows will be the most comfortable through Thursday as they fall off into the upper 50s and lower 60s. Enjoy it!