TEMA Flash Report #1 - Tennessee Winter Weather. 1 p.m., Central

Friday, January 12, 2018 | 12:54pm

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Wintry precipitation will persist over West and Middle Tennessee into the evening hours with cold temperatures (below freezing) until Monday.
  • The State Emergency Operations Center is activated in Nashville, Tenn. and staffed to monitor weather, road conditions, and to address any life safety needs.
  • There are minor impacts to roadways from the weather system.  Interstates are open.
  • East Tennessee will see wintry precipitation this evening with a dusting to around 1” of snow accumulation forecast.


CURRENT SITUATION

Wintry precipitation is moving across Tennessee today and gradually transitioning from sleet and ice to all snow. 

West Tennesseeans woke this morning to its first round of precipitation in the form of sleet and a second round of precipitation is falling currently as snow.  West Tennessee weather forecasters expect from 1” of snow accumulation in the southern part of the region to almost 4” near the Kentucky border.

A Winter Storm Warning is in place for the western part of the Middle Tennessee region with a Winter Weather Advisory in place for counties from Waynesboro, Tenn., through Nashville, Tenn. to the Cumberland Plateau.  Middle Tennessee also had a first winter round with a dramatic temperature drop and some icing.  Round two this afternoon brings from 1” to 3” of snow, with higher accumulations along the Kentucky border. 

A Winter Weather Advisory is also in place on the western edge of East Tennessee with rain today and snow by this evening.  East Tennessee weather forecasters expect up to 1” of snow and a light glaze of ice across most of the region with up to 2” of snow accumulations across higher elevations.

Ice, sleet, and snow have caused some localized impacts with accidents and delays on Tennessee interstates, state highways and surface streets.  There are no widespread delays or impacts on roadways at this time.

Likewise, there are no reports of widespread power outages and no reports of any weather-related injuries or fatalities in Tennessee. School districts and State Offices, and some County Governments, have closed across much of the West and Middle Tennessee regions.

There are no reports of weather-related injuries or fatalities, and no shelters are currently open.

 

TEMA RESPONSE ACTIONS

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is at Level 4 – Elevated status with staff assessing reports from local officials and monitoring the weather forecasts and road conditions.

SEOC staff includes Emergency Service Coordinators and Emergency Liaisons from a number of Tennessee state agencies and non-governmental associations including American Red Cross, Commerce & Insurance, Environment & Conservation, General Services, Human Services, Military, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Transportation.

TEMA’s 24-hour Watch Point is monitoring weather forecasts and maintaining contact with warning points in local jurisdictions.

TEMA Priorities:  Establish and maintain statewide situational awareness; provide resources to protect life and property, and support local jurisdictions with request resources.

TEMA’s West and Middle Region Coordination Centers are operational and ready to address any issues as a result of the winter weather system.

There are no open requests from local officials and no reports of unmet needs.

 

KEY MESSAGES

  • Monitor local news sources for updates on winter weather forecasts, road conditions, and for any changes to weather watches or warnings.
  • Follow the instructions of emergency officials and be ready to take emergency protective actions.
  • Delay travel if at all possible and remember Ice & Snow, Take it Slow, if you are travelling.
  • Do not attempt to move any downed power lines. Instead contact your local power company to report the damage or call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency situation.

 

STAY INFORMED

  • Have multiple ways to received news and weather information, especially alerts and warnings.
  • Monitor NOAA Weather Radio for winter weather watches and warnings.
  • Monitor local radio and television stations for updates on weather and road conditions.
  • Download weather applications to your mobile devices.

 

WEATHER FORECAST

West

  • This Afternoon:  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. North northwest wind around 15 mph.
  • Tonight:  Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
  • Saturday:  Partly sunny, with a high near 28. North wind 10 to 15 mph.

Middle

  • This Afternoon:  Snow. High near 33. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
  • Tonight:  Snow, mainly before 1am. Low around 21. North northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
  • Saturday:  A 20 percent chance of snow before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

East

  • This Afternoon:  Rain likely, mainly before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 56. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
  • Tonight:  A chance of rain before 10pm, then a chance of snow and sleet between 10pm and midnight, then a chance of snow after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
  • Saturday:  Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 29. Northwest wind around 10 mph.

About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders.