James Corbin sprinkles salt on the McDonald's sidewalk off of Dayton Boulevard as light snow flurries fall in the Chattanooga area early Monday morning.Winter waited until spring to show its true colors this weekend, as temperatures plummeted into the low 30s and flurries fluttered across the region.
"Temperatures are about 19 degrees below normal for this time of year," said Paul Barys, chief meteorologist for WRCB-TV Channel 3.
The flurries are expected to continue through this afternoon, but by the end of the week temperatures will be closer to normal, Barys said.
"The sun comes back Wednesday, Thursday and Friday," he said, with highs expected to reach the mid-60s by the weekend.
"There is a slow warming trend through the week," said Sam Roberts, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Morristown, Tenn.
Barys said the worst should be over soon.
"The odds of it getting this cold again are very, very slim," Barys said.
Plant doctor Craig Walker at the Barn Nursery said conditions look good for gardeners and that this week's low temperatures shouldn't do much damage to new plants.
"Most plants should be OK," he said, "but if you have some tender plants you're worried about, wrap them in sheets or burlap."
Contact staff writer Lindsay Burkholder at 423-757-6592 or lburkholder@timesfreepress.com.