As Hurricane Ivan moved toward Knoxville Thursday, there were predictions that heavy rain would bring floods and lead to closings and canceled events throughout Knoxville, but everyone was surprised with a sunny weekend.

Knox County closed schools Friday due to Thursday rainfalls that totaled 1.64 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

UT graduate student Paige Hargett said it felt like a snow day when she found out that she would have the day off of student teaching at Powell High School.

Autumn on the Square and Movies on Market Square that were to be held Thursday and Friday nights were also canceled.

UT classes remained scheduled, so some students dug out their umbrellas and rain coats in the early morning to trudge through the predicted floods. Once the late sleepers realized the big scare was only light showers and mist, many classes were already over.

Paul Ashdown, professor in the journalism and electronic media department, said that only four students showed up to his early morning class, but that he was very pleased to see all but one student present for his afternoon class.

The weather turned for the better as the mist stopped Friday, leaving only 0.48 inches of water, the NWS said. By Saturday the skies were clear.

UT Men’s Athletic Director Mike Hamilton said that all precautions were taken to prepare for the worst for Saturday’s game against Florida. He said there had been constant communication with a meteorologist, the SEC, the weather service, the home institution, administration and the visiting Florida Gators.

Hamilton said they wanted to make sure that American Airlines, the airline that Florida traveled on, was on schedule to arrive on time. There was also consideration to move the game to the 3:30 time slot if the Auburn-LSU game got canceled, Hamilton said.

Preparations were also made for the fans by opening the University Center and Thompson-Boling Arena for shelter in case of heavy rain.

But the weather “took a turn for the good for us,” Hamilton said. “It was one of the most beautiful fall football games I’ve ever been a part of.”