LIVE UPDATES: Freezing cold in Knoxville is thwarting plans this weekend. Get the latest!

Dangerously cold temperatures are still here today. But help in the form of sunshine and above-freezing temps is coming ‒ someday. ❄️❄️❄️

It's even more dangerous in the mountains, where temps can feel like they're below zero.

The highs today will only be around 30, so the ice that formed this week won't budge much. In fact, temps might not even top the freezing point until Jan. 22.

But there's an end in sight: the National Weather Service said Jan. 21 is the start of a warming trend. Monday's high is 42, and temps could break 50 by Wednesday.

Here are the latest weekend updates as they happen, including school closures. Stay safe, everyone!

Who's responsible for clearing sidewalks in Knoxville and Knox County?

Whether you're responsible for clearing sidewalks depends on whether you live in the city of Knoxville or Knox County.

Jim Snowden, Knox County Engineering and Public Works' chief engineer, told Knox News via text the county is responsible for sidewalk maintenance outside city limits.

Within city limits, "City Code clearly states that it's the responsibility of the adjoining property owners," city spokesperson Eric Vreeland told Knox News via email.

"Be assured, no one is issuing any citations (for not clearing)," Vreeland said. "We all want to collaboratively work together with businesses and residents to restore full access and safe mobility citywide as quickly as possible."

City crews help with sidewalks where they can, he said, mostly downtown.

Market Square, for example, is a priority for the city because it's a fire lane that needs to be maintained for emergency vehicles. The city's horticulture crew cleared the Square earlier this week and will be back at it Jan. 22.

"Note that because this work is being done by the horticulture crew and non-snow crew employees, no Public Service employees are being pulled off snow-plowing or salt-spreading duties to clear sidewalks," Vreeland said. "Snow crews have been working the roads 24/7 for 8 days (beginning with pre-storm brining)."

We have a better idea of when East Tennessee snow will melt

Temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing until Jan. 22 when there's a projected high of 42 degrees in Knoxville. But the current sunshine could begin to accelerate melting even before temperatures rise, meteorologist Jeanie McDermott of the National Weather Service in Morristown told Knox News.

While icy driving conditions are among the top concerns, the roadways could be some of the first surfaces to melt due to tire friction and exhaust.

If the snow doesn't all melt Monday, McDermott said, it's likely to melt Tuesday.

UT's winter weather plan clears nearly half of campus

When snow began accumulating Jan. 15, University of Tennessee at Knoxville students were not due back for a week. But with a basketball game scheduled the following night, campus crews began working on their plan to clear areas around Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in 12-hour shifts.

Crews had already started pre-treating surfaces in the days prior.

The hard work has continued, with roughly 400 acres of the 920-acre campus being cleared as of 3 p.m. Jan. 21. That includes roadways, sidewalks, parking lots and the sorority village, Vice Chancellor for Facilities Services Mike Brady told Knox News.

Roughly 260,000 pounds of rock salt, which comes in 50-pound bags, were used across campus. That's in addition to 90,000 pounds of ice melt, Brady said.

Students were expected to start class Jan. 22, but that has been pushed back one day to allow them time to safely travel back to campus.

East Tennessee school closures are rolling in

You knew this was coming. It's still too dangerous to drive or walk in many neighborhoods, and several districts have called off school, including Knox County.

Check here throughout the day.

City of Knoxville and Knox County are relying on sun and salt

Knoxville crews are still reporting ice patches even on some main roads this morning as they continue treat them with calcium chloride.

"The additive helps the salt to do its job more effectively when temperatures plummet," the city said in a 3 p.m. Facebook post yesterday. "However, as temperatures drop into the single digits tonight, even CaCl has its limitations."

After roads froze again overnight, they're salting and plowing hospital routes, KAT routes and problem spots, and "and then will spread throughout the city and clear more streets," city of Knoxville spokesperson Eric Vreeland told Knox News.

Police warned drivers residential and side streets are still hazardous: "If you must go out, take it slow."

Jim Snowden, Knox County Engineering and Public Works' chief engineer, told Knox News the county had started on residential streets, but snow and ice are taking longer to melt than he'd like.

Gatlinburg Bypass has reopened

The Gatlinburg Bypass has reopened, according to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The bypass closed Jan. 17 due to winter weather and reopened Jan. 18, only to close again that day.

Additionally, Laurel Creek Road and the Cades Cove Loop Road have reopened.

Roads cleared near you? Others need help!

Mobile Meals is still looking for anyone with four-wheel drive to help deliver food Jan. 22. Deliveries start mid-morning and last roughly two hours, according to the city.

If you're interested, text your name to 865-680-2594 to coordinate pickup locations and times.

Additionally, volunteers and donations are needed at the warming shelters set up in coordination with the Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability.

Those shelters are located at Vestal United Methodist Church in South Knoxville, Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church in East Knoxville, Cokesbury Church in West Knoxville and the Salvation Army on the northern edge of downtown Knoxville, which is being used as overflow from the churches.

Anyone interested in helping should email office@knoxtnhousing.org.

KAT will operate only on severe snow routes today

Knoxville Area Transit will continue to run buses on severe snow routes today. "We know this has been frustrating," KAT officials wrote.

The snow routes will run through the 5:15 p.m. line-up today. KAT said operators would be using extra caution, so slight delays should be expected.

On Jan. 22, buses will start on severe snow routes at our regularly scheduled service hours. "We will assess road conditions as the temperature warms up, and hope to move to regular snow routes if/ when it is safe to do so."

KAT's severe snow routes are:

• Route 11: Kingston Pike

• Route 12: Western Avenue

• Route 22: Broadway

• Route 31: Magnolia

• Route 41: Chapman Highway

• The door-to-door LIFT service will be available on an as-needed basis if road conditions permit. You can call 865-637-3000 or 865-215-7850 between 10:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. for information, though wait times may be higher.

City gives early glimpse at huge price tag of winter storm

In a post online, the city of Knoxville gave a preliminary look at how much winter storm operations have cost so far, though the full price tag won't be known for a week or two.

As of mid-week, the city had spent $335,000 on things like overtime pay for staff working around the clock and equipment.

The cost of replenishing its salt stores was also steep. Knoxville ordered an extra 1,800 tons of salt at $122 a ton. In case you don't have a calculator handy, that's $219,600.

Worried about all of the snow melting? The TVA isn't

Ahead of next week's big thaw, when the 6.5 to 10 inches of snow that fell Jan. 15 on East Tennessee will finally melt, the Tennessee Valley Authority is monitoring how runoff may affect river levels.

TVA's River Forecast Center balances water levels along the Tennessee River, where snow runoff may push the federal utility to let water through some of its dams.

Darrell Guinn, the center's senior manager, told Knox News the blanket of snow in Knoxville and Knox County is equivalent to between 0.5 and 1 inches of water. That's not much. For comparison, a light storm Jan. 9 brought 2.37 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

So if you're expecting a major flood, that won't be the case.

Today's cancellations

• No garbage or recyclable pickup was available last week, but pickup is expected to resume on residents' scheduled day this week. Overflow garbage can be placed in separate bags and overflow recycling can be placed in a cardboard box or clearly labeled bin.

• Knoxville city offices are closed for the weekend.

• Knox County libraries are closed and will remain closed until Jan. 22.

• Knox County offices and courts are closed.

• State of Tennessee offices are closed for the weekend.

• Schools have yet to announce if they will be in session on Monday, Jan. 22. Check out the past week's school closures here.

• Knoxville recreation programs are canceled or closed, but some centers may be open. Call before you go.

• Knoxville Museum of Art is closed today.

• McGhee Tyson Airport is fully open and operational in the cold temperatures, but some airlines have canceled a few flights in the past 24 hours, according to FlightAware. Here's what airport staff wants you to know.

At Repticon, the show must go on

Repticon is returning today to the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park, and not even snow and ice could stop the lizardy and snaky fun.

The traveling reptile exposition announced online that the show would go on today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a slight modification. All normal guest entrances are closed for weather, so attendees must enter at 401 Lakeside St. and be directed to the exposition.

If you want to find a new reptilian pet, tickets are still available online.

Cabin fever setting in?

Try these ideas and activities. Just call first to make sure your destination is open; staffing has been an issue around town this week.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville weather live updates: Freezing cold is thwarting plans