Meteorologist Mark

Storms are moving through Monterey and will be moving into Cumberland and Fentress Counties shortly. There are currently no warnings on our segment of the line, though any of these could go severe with little or no warning.

Look for frequent lightning, heavy rainfall, and very gusty winds.

I’ll let you know when the threat has passed or if there’s anything you need to know before then.

Storms are moving into western Putnam County and are quickly approaching Cookeville. These storms are not currently severe but that could change. Gusty winds, lightning, and very heavy rainfall are occurring with this line of storms.

Storms have been losing intensity and we’ll hope they continue to do so as they get closer over the next half hour.

The line of severe storms has definitely sped up. It’s moving east at about 50-55 mph. That would put it approaching the plateau in the midnight to 1:00 a.m. timeframe, assuming it maintains this speed. I’ll keep an eye on that.

The Storm Prediction Center just issued a statement saying that they expect this line to weaken as it approaches us and they do not currently intend to issue additional watches for us. That is good news.

Nevertheless, we will track this line closely and be mindful that some of these storms could still be producing damaging wind gusts when they cross the plateau.

Severe t-storm warnings now extend to Carthage until 11:45 p.m.

I continue to monitor things closely and will until the threat has passed. I have my oreos, coffee, and peanut M&Ms, so I’m good to go. Some have asked if I have the cheeseballs with me. Those are for snow events. Let’s keep this real. lol

A tornado watch has been issued for much of Middle TN, but it stops just short of Cumberland and Fentress counties. Nevertheless, this is too close for comfort, and we’ll be weather-aware as a line of strong to severe storms threaten our area later tonight.

The 8:00 update from the Storm Prediction Center left our threats the same as their previous update. We remain in the slight risk, with the greatest threat being damaging winds gusts from this line of storms. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Damaging wind gusts to 70 mph are possible in the strongest storms.

The line of storms coming through West TN at this hour is packing a punch. I do notice that their air is more humid than ours. Our drier air (though it’s still humid) will contribute to storms weakening a bit as they arrive.

However, the storm system responsible for all of this is still strengthening in Arkansas. That will likely allow storms to pack a punch right on into our neck of the woods. As I stated earlier, the low level jet is cranking and those winds could be brought to the surface in stronger storms.

It continues to look like the line will cross the plateau around 2:00 a.m. The latest run of the HRRR model (short-term radar model) shows this well. The line is expected to be weakening as it crosses our area, though it may still pack a punch, with damaging wind gusts being the main threat.

The model below begins at midnight and ends at 5:00 a.m.

My concern for damaging wind gusts is unchanged from the last update, but my concern for tornadoes has dropped a bit, owing to some of the latest observations and data coming in. Please continue to take this seriously, even in light of this bit of good news.

I’m not sure what the Storm Prediction Center will do about this tornado watch. If the line continues to pack a punch, they may extend the watch eastward. Or, they may issue a severe t-storm watch that starts with us and covers East TN. I’ll keep a close eye on that.

Our hearts go out to those in Mississippi who have been so heavily impacted by tornados. I lived in Starkville, Mississippi (Mississippi State) for several years and those folks are close to my heart. They’re good people that you’d love to have for neighbors. If you don’t mind, send a prayer up for them tonight.