Special update issued August 17

The threat for severe storms continues for this afternoon and evening. Radar is clear right now but that could change at any moment. I’ll issue special updates, as needed, throughout the afternoon and evening. The threat for severe storms is much higher in East TN today, so if you’re headed toward Knoxville, be aware of this.

My concern has increased just a bit, owing to the increasing heat and humidity that will add even more fuel to any storm. Keep in mind that storms will be scattered and some of you won’t see a drop of rain. Others of you may have to deal with severe storms.

I lowered the tornado and hail threats. As I mentioned yesterday, we just don’t have the wind shear for a significant tornado threat. The hail threat has been trended lower, so I went ahead and lowerd that threat, as well. We still can’t take the damaging wind and flash flood threat too lightly.

The only adjustments I made to this graph was to lower rain chances through 2:00 pm, since radar is so quiet right now. This only adds to the instability, though. The sooner we see showers and storms fire off, the lower our risk for severe storms would be.

Other important weather information will be shared when needed. This includes additional severe weather information, model data, drought info, hurricane info, and more. Some of these can be found as tabs to this page at any time.

Disclaimer: This website/app should never be considered your primary source of severe weather warnings. 

Today is Monday, August 17, 2026

I’ll issue special updates throughout the day, as needed, concerning the severe weather threat.

MM’s Hourly Forecast

I’ve adjusted the threat timefram a bit from last night’s update. Instead of 4:00-8:00, I’ve changed it to 2:00-7:00.

5-Day Forecast

MM says…If you’re going to the Cumberland County Fair this week, I’d go Tuesday evening. Low humidity and pleasant temps will make for a nice evening out!

6-10 Day Temp & Precip Outlook

MM’s Weather Worries

We’ll see how this changes through the day!

MM’s Wx Analysis

Active weather comes back to our neighborhoods on the plateau today! A cold front moving into the region during the hottest part of the day will have no trouble kicking off showers and storms. Some of those storms could easily be severe, with damaging winds and flash flooding being the main threat.

On This Day

Today is also the anniversary of Hurricane Camille making landfall on the Gulf Coast as a cat 5. The storm made landfall at Pass Christian, Mississippi with max sustained winds of 175 mph at landfall.

MM’s Aches-n-Pains Forecast

MM’s Pollen Forecast

Farmer’s Almanac Gardening

Yesterday’s Local Weather Stats

The Crossville Airport is the official reporting station for the plateau.

Yesterday’s Storm Reports

Radar-Estimated Precip from Yesterday

Night Sky

Drought Conditions

Thank You, Sponsors!

Help me welcome my newest sponsor, Risher Roofing! I first met them when they did work for us at Creative Compassion. They helped us put a roof on the home of a widow and their compassion, professionalism, and workmanship was so impressive. I’m so honored to have them as a sponsor!

Other important weather information will be shared when needed. This includes additional severe weather information, model data, drought info, hurricane info, and more. Some of these can be found as tabs to this page at any time.

Disclaimer: This website/app should never be considered your primary source of severe weather warnings. 

This is Sunday evening, August 16, 2026

I will issue special updates throughout the day on Monday to give you the latest on our severe storm risk.

5-Day Forecast

MM says…A severe storm threat on Monday leads to a nicer Tuesday and Wednesday. More shower and storm chances arrive Thursday and Friday.

At this time, it looks like the greatest risk for severe storms on Monday will come in the 4:00 – 8:00 timeframe. Stay tuned for any adjustments to this threat timeframe.

MM’s Weather Worries for the Week

I’ll be using my new concern meter tomorrow to let you know how I’m feeling about the storms.

MM’s Wx Analysis

Monday’s weather map shows an active weather day across the eastern U.S., including us on the Cumberland Plateau. That active weather comes with the threat of damaging straight-line winds and flash flooding as the main threats.

The good news is that once the front passes through the area, we’ll be left with a nicer Tuesday and Wednesday. By Thursday, another front moves south to bring a renewed chance for showers and storms.

In Other News!

Our storms Tuesday evening brought several reports of downed trees across the plateau. The main brunt of the complex of storms slid south into eastern Kentucky and into the southern Appalachian Mountains. Storms developing on the western flank of that complex brought heavy rain, gusty winds, and frequent lightning to much of the plateau. That complex brought straight-line winds of up to 120 mph when it passed through Indiana earlier that afternoon!

In other news, the center of Hurricane Lala passed very close to the Big Island of Hawaii. That island hasn’t had a direct landfall in 155 years. That records stands, as Lala’s center stayed just off shore. However, as the impacts of a hurricane are felt far from the center, the Big Island still had lots of flooding and wind damage. The higher mountains caused even heavier rain to fall. The storm continues to impact the state of Hawaii today.

Check out this impressive report from Mauna Kea! Wow! That elevation of Mauna Kea is nearly 14,000 feet. For reference, Mt LeConte is nearly 6,600 feet.

During the night, the rain mixed with and even changed to snow on the summit of Mauna Kea.

The launche of the Nancy Grace telescope is now only two weeks away!!! Fingers crossed that are no delays! I’ll be covering it all with my NASA press pass, so stay tuned for lots of updates!

Dont’ forget to look up this week! Tuesday night should be the best night of all for stargazing!

New episodes of Weather & War coming this week!

Thank You, Sponsors!

Other important weather information will be shared when needed. This includes additional severe weather information, model data, drought info, hurricane info, and more. Some of these can be found as tabs to this page at any time.

Disclaimer: This website/app should never be considered your primary source of severe weather warnings. 

Today is Sunday, August 16, 2026

Tonight I’ll have the weekly “Look at the Week Ahead” where I’ll talk more in-depth about the severe storm threat for Monday, as well as what we can expect for the rest of the week ahead!

MM’s Hourly Forecast

5-Day Forecast

6-10 Day Temp & Precip Outlook

MM’s Weather Worries

MM’s Wx Analysis

Active weather is once again expected from Illinois to the Mid-Atlantic. Some of those storms could slip closer to areas near the Kentucky border. Tomorrow, that active weather moves south into our area.

On This Day

MM’s Aches-n-Pains Forecast

MM’s Pollen Forecast

Farmer’s Almanac Gardening

Yesterday’s Local Weather Stats

The Crossville Airport is the official reporting station for the plateau.

Yesterday’s Storm Reports

Radar-Estimated Precip from Yesterday

Night Sky

Drought Conditions

Thank You, Sponsors!

Help me welcome my newest sponsor, Risher Roofing! I first met them when they did work for us at Creative Compassion. They helped us put a roof on the home of a widow and their compassion, professionalism, and workmanship was so impressive. I’m so honored to have them as a sponsor!

Other important weather information will be shared when needed. This includes additional severe weather information, model data, drought info, hurricane info, and more. Some of these can be found as tabs to this page at any time.

Disclaimer: This website/app should never be considered your primary source of severe weather warnings.