My wife and I are driving from the east coast to LAS VEGAS in early jan...time is no handicapp,we are retired..I plan to take I81through pa,and vergina,to KNOXVILLE TENN.Can anyone tell me what to expect weather wise? (ie,snow in the mountains.). Then take I 40 all the way west.. whatever advice,or recomendations anyone can offer would be heloful..

Are you serious? Dude, ever heard of the Weather Channel!?!?

Of course ,DUDE, ive heard of the weather channel,however i am concerned about the road conditions while driving through the BLUE RIDGE.The W.C. only gives you a forcast 4/5 ahead.. What i needed to know is does it snow often,are the rds plouded on a timly basis,etc,etc...

If it snows, it snows. How many options would you have? You'll get over it.

Blue Ridge? If I were you I'd worry more about the ROCKIES!? Oh, and make sure to have food and blankets in the car.

Get all the road conditions numbers for states you'll be passing through. If there's a storm moving throught the Southwest, I'd consider moving down from I-40 to I-10 as soon as possible to minimize the chance of ice on the roads. I-40 can be pretty nasty from Texas all the way past Flagstaff. I don't know how far out of the way this might take you, but it's probably worth it in case of bad weather.

max, are you in luck. I just happened to see your post, and can safely say, you are now in good hands.

I guess your main concern is "The W.C. only gives you a forcast 4/5 ahead.. What i needed to know is
does it snow often,are the rds plouded on a timly basis,etc,etc..."

Roads are "plouded" occasionally, etc., etc.

If you could be more specific on EXACTLY when you plan to leave, and from where, I could give you a more detailed forecast. That said, here is what you can expect: Some snow, some rain, some clouds, some sun, some cold, a little ice here and there, a nice day or two along the way. This forecast is good through the first of February. It may change after that.....maybe.

Be sure to send this info along to the Weather Channel. I'm sure they will be very impressed.

Just in case, take chains and call the various DOTs as you go.

You also receive our "Question of the day" award.

Mr. Weather

This gave me my chuckle for the day... thanks...

According to long range forecasts it will not snow anywhere this winter so they have put all the ploughs away.

If time is not an issue you'd be much better heading down to I-10 as soon as possible. I-40 since it is the only Big freeway across Tenn.has Very heavy traffic(lots of trucks)and if it is icy you don't want to be on it...
I bet you picked I 40 maybe to go north from Flagstaff and see the Grand Canyon??? and then on to Vegas????You would better off to stay on I 10 and then turn north at Phoenix to Flagstaff thru Sedona (beautiful area)and then the GC. and then go on to Vegas on I40.
Also going thru the Smokies in winter is very unpredictable, We went to Gatlinburg and had to stay 2 days until road were cleared to get to Ashville--Feb 2000.
a fun weather site is www.weather underground.com It has a "historic"
category where you can check in years past on specfic days and it gives lots of info for specfic city.
Good luck I envy your trip what ever the weather!!!