Honestly, if you're planning to head into the Smokies, you've probably already checked your phone's default weather app and seen those tiny little sun and cloud icons. But Gatlinburg is a different beast entirely. It’s a town where the "valley weather" and the "mountain weather" are basically two separate universes.
For the weather for Gatlinburg next week, we’re looking at a wild ride that starts with a literal deep freeze and ends with a soggy, warm mess.
Right now, as of Thursday night, January 15, 2026, it is a crisp 19°F in town. It feels more like 11°F. If you’re out on the Parkway tonight, you’re feeling that 5 mph south wind biting through your jacket. This sets the stage for a week that is anything but consistent.
The Immediate Outlook: Ice and Grit
Friday, January 16, is going to be the pivot point. We're looking at a high of 46°F during the day under mostly cloudy skies. It sounds pleasant enough for a winter walk, right? Well, don't get too comfortable. By Friday night, the temperature is going to plummet back toward a low of 22°F.
The real story for Friday night is the 45% chance of snow. It’s not just a dusting; it’s the kind of timing that makes mountain roads like Newfound Gap Road tricky for the Saturday morning crowd.
Saturday, January 17, stays chilly.
A high of 42°F.
A low of 20°F.
There is a 35% chance of snow during the day. If you’re hoping for that "snowy mountain village" aesthetic for your photos, Saturday is likely your best bet, though the sun will try to peek through occasionally with a partly sunny forecast.
The Mid-Week Freeze: Don't Forget the Layers
Once we hit Sunday, the moisture clears out, but the cold digs its heels in. Sunday, January 18, will be sunny but don't let the bright sky fool you. The high is only 30°F. By Monday and Tuesday, we are entering "true winter" territory.
For Monday, January 19, and Tuesday, January 20:
- Monday High: 31°F
- Monday Low: 11°F
- Tuesday High: 29°F
- Tuesday Low: 11°F
Those 11°F lows are serious. If you’re staying in a cabin, make sure your host has the pipes protected. This isn't "chilly"—it's the kind of cold that makes the air feel thin and sharp. The humidity drops significantly on Tuesday to around 23%, so it’s going to be a very dry, brittle kind of cold.
The Big Thaw (and the Rain)
Everything changes by Wednesday, January 21. The wind shifts southwest, and we see the high jump all the way back up to 45°F.
Then comes the rain.
Thursday, January 22, and Friday, January 23, bring a total shift in the Gatlinburg weather next week pattern. We’re talking highs of 48°F and 51°F, respectively. Instead of snow, we have a 40% to 65% chance of light rain and showers. The humidity will spike to nearly 76% by Friday night.
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It's going to be gray. It's going to be damp. It's going to be exactly the kind of weather that makes you want to spend the day inside Ripley’s Aquarium or a pancake house.
What This Means for Your Gear
If you are packing for this window, you essentially need two different wardrobes. You need the heavy wool socks and thermal base layers for those 11°F nights at the start of the week. But you also need a solid waterproof shell and boots that can handle slush and puddles by Thursday.
Common mistake: People see "51 degrees" on Friday and think they can leave the heavy coat at home. In Gatlinburg, 51°F with 76% humidity and rain feels significantly colder than a dry 30°F. The dampness seeps into your bones.
Specific Daily Data for Planning
- Saturday (Jan 17): Mostly sunny day, cloudy night. 35% chance of snow. Wind at 10 mph. High 42°F / Low 20°F.
- Sunday (Jan 18): Full sun. High 30°F / Low 19°F. Great for visibility at the Gatlinburg SkyLift.
- Monday (Jan 19): Clear and bright. High 31°F / Low 11°F.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): Sunny and dry. High 29°F / Low 11°F.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): Partly sunny then light rain at night. High 45°F / Low 26°F.
- Thursday (Jan 22): Light rain all day. High 48°F / Low 37°F.
The volatility is the main takeaway here. We are seeing a 40-degree swing between the lowest night and the highest day within just a few days.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Check the National Park Service website specifically for road closures on Friday night and Saturday morning. Even a little snow at these temperatures can shut down the higher elevations.
Book indoor attractions for the latter half of the week (Thursday/Friday) to avoid the rain.
Keep your gas tank at least half full. Cold snaps can put a strain on vehicle batteries, and you don't want to be stranded when it hits 11°F on Monday night.
Finally, if you're heading up to Ober Mountain, the Friday/Saturday snow potential is great for their operations, but the midweek freeze will be the best time for them to make snow and keep the base solid before the rain hits on Thursday.