A weather system that has traveled from the West Coast and triggered tornadoes in Missouri is expected to reach East Tennessee overnight. Residents are urged to prepare for sudden weather changes and possible alerts while they sleep.
By midday Saturday, the storm system had moved through Mississippi and Alabama, with heavy rain already falling in Knoxville. The strongest storms are expected to arrive overnight.
The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts that the weather could reach East Tennessee as early as 10 p.m., with the most likely window for severe weather between midnight and 4 a.m.
Greene County EMA Director Heather Sipe emphasized that nighttime storms pose a higher risk because people may be asleep and unaware of the approaching danger. She said the overnight storms are expected to be the strongest, with the greatest threat of severe weather. While the highest risk areas are in middle and southern Tennessee, East Tennessee remains under a “Slight Risk” zone, a level 2 out of 5 for the likelihood of severe weather.
Sipe advised residents to ensure they have multiple ways to receive weather updates and alerts, especially overnight. She cautioned against putting phones on silent or “Do Not Disturb” mode while sleeping.
The NWS also reports that high winds will continue in the mountains and foothills through tonight, with gusts reaching up to 80 mph. The greatest threat of severe weather is expected across the Cumberland Plateau, southeast Tennessee, and southwest North Carolina, with widespread damaging winds, tornadoes, and large hail possible. Additionally, multiple rounds of storms could bring flash flooding, especially west of Interstate 75.
Although the harshest weather is forecast to narrowly miss East Tennessee, a slight shift in the storm’s timing or trajectory could bring dangerous conditions to the area.
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