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The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for portions of southwest North Carolina, east Tennessee, and southwest Virginia due to increased fire danger, high winds, and the potential for severe weather.

Low humidity levels, currently ranging from 10 to 20 percent, are contributing to elevated fire danger this afternoon and evening.

A strong cold front is expected to move through late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Ahead of the system, a High Wind Warning has been issued for the east Tennessee mountains and adjacent foothills from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Additionally, a Wind Advisory is in effect for much of the Tennessee Valley and Plateau during the same timeframe.

Due to increasing winds and downslope drying, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for the east Tennessee mountains and foothills Tuesday afternoon and evening.

There is also a low risk of severe thunderstorms late Tuesday night as storms move out of middle Tennessee. If storms maintain their strength, damaging winds will be the primary threat.

Looking ahead, light snow accumulations are possible Wednesday night into Thursday in the mountains of east Tennessee and southwest Virginia.