Topic: National Weather Service

Keeping a watchful eye on bridges in the State of Tennessee

October 16, 2009 |

Tennessee in Motion is a monthly column by Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely

TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely

As heavy rains fall on Tennessee, TDOT’s bridge inspectors await notifications from an automated program called “Bridge Watch.” Flooding can undermine the structural integrity of certain bridges in the state, so TDOT utilizes this program to alert the department of any potential problems with bridges due to heavy rains.

The most common cause of bridge failure is the undermining of a bridge structure because of scour. Scour is the erosion of a stream or river bed due to excessive stream flow. TDOT has classified 897 bridges in Tennessee as scour-critical, which means bridges could experience a catastrophic failure or become structurally unstable as a result of a destructive flood event.

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Cumberland and Red Rivers are flooding

By Bill Larson | May 10, 2009 |

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) the Cumberland and Red rivers have exceeded their flood stages. Low level areas are already experiencing flooding. The high water is not expected to last long, however be sure to exercise caution.

The NWS offers these tips for dealing with high water. Avoid flooded areas along the river…and move personal belongings to higher ground. Never drive through flooded roads as the depth of water may be too great to pass…even in trucks or sport utility vehicles. If you come across a flooded road…turn around don`t drown.

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Late season snow delights youngsters, slows travel

By Christine Anne Piesyk | March 12, 2009 |

The dark purple of a pansy against the snow.

What a difference a day makes! On Tuesday the region basked in 80 degrees of summer-like warmth and sunshine. Barbecue grills were dragged out and fired up, just as area residents hustled to find “cool” clothing to don for this brief taste of seasons yet to come.

Adhering to the adages of the weatherwise, if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.

So it is that northern Middle Tennessee saw temperature drop by 50 degrees, viewed a sky of thickening  clouds, and watched in awe as winter took what may be its last punch of the 2008-09 season.

Snow. Sleet. Freezing rain. Salt brine and sanding trucks, even a snow plow on Fort Campbell Boulevard.  The snow line moved south over the course of the day, arriving in lower Clarksville in mid-afternoon, some time after north Clarksville was already eyeing light accumulation.

In New England, this kind of snowfall is “sugar snow,” a late season wet snowfall that comes even as the springtime rush of sap is surging through the sugar maples, sap that is gathered in buckets, pouring into wood-fired arches to boil — 40 gallons of sap makes a gallon of syrup in a 24/7 marathon that only works in late winter on the cusp of spring, when days are warm and nights are cold. Light golden Grade A syrup is considered the finest, with the dark amber B (or less) syrup as the “end of season fare (I actually like the darker richer taste of the Grade B). Today’s snow was a light coating of “sugar snow.”

I miss New England, and this snowfall was a gift of sorts. Being out in it was, for me, a treat.

Snow-covered bridge at Billy Dunlop Park

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NWS: Severe weather headed for Middle Tennessee

By Christine Anne Piesyk | February 17, 2009 |

A cold front is  expected take aim at Tennessee’s  mid-state region tonight and is expected to trigger back-to-back bouts of severe weather including thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds as the primary threats.

According to the National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Statement for the region, including Clarksville. «Read the rest of this article»

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Wicked winds, torrential rain batter Clarksville; downed trees, structural damage, power outages reported

By Christine Anne Piesyk | February 11, 2009 |

A line of severe weather  slammed into Clarksville Wednesday with a mix of brief but torrential rain and winds in excess of 60 mph, causing widely scattered power outages, downed tree limbs and some structural damage.

Street Department crew works to clear debris from College Street

In downtown Clarksville, Street Department crews in wet weather gear worked to clear a fallen tree from College Street even as winds continued to howl and rip roofing shingles off the “Biscuit Company” building. Throughout the downtown area smaller branches were riding the winds, and traffic lights and street signs were battered and bent. In some areas, roofing shingles were fluttering like flags and being ripped from rooftops. Several globes on some of the city’s ornate street lamps off College Street were shattered. A stockade fence was partially blown down.  At the Goble Law Firm,  awnings on both sides of the building were shredded. «Read the rest of this article»

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Flood warning issued for Red River, Port Royal

By Christine Anne Piesyk | January 28, 2009 |

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Red River near Port Royal, affecting Montgomery and Robertson counties.

Heavy rains have caused the Red River to rise even though the rain has ended. River readings exceed flood stage.

Residents of the affected areas along the river are advised to seek higher ground and move personal belongings to safe locations. «Read the rest of this article»

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Winter storm targets Middle Tennessee

By Christine Anne Piesyk | January 26, 2009 |

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.  FLOOD ADVISORY.

National Weather Service: Severe winter weather conditions through noon …significant icing in some areas, especially near the Kentucky border…poor road conditions… travel discouraged … falling trees limbs and power lines… some power outages are occurring.

School Closings (Wednesday, January 28) : Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools; St Mary’s/Clarksville; Clarksville Christian; Clarksville Academy; Austin Peay State University. All CMCSS school activities are cancelled for Wednesday, January 28, 2009. This includes games, practices, weightlifting, and open facilities.

UPDATE: Snow is falling in Clarksville, with 1-2 inches expected before the storm winds down around noon. Ice accumulations in some parts of the city have triggered power outages. Many side roads are snow covered and driving is difficult.

Accumulating ice is expected to take down a number of trees and branches

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Ice storm bearing down on region; storm may impact travel, business

By Christine Anne Piesyk | January 26, 2009 |

The National Weather Service has issued an ice storm warning and hazardous weather statement for northwest and north central Tennessee counties from 12 p.m. tonight through Tuesday. Significant accumulations are possible, particularly close to the Kentucky border.

The forecast calls for rain to develop this evening, turning to freezing rain around midnight with a low temperature of 30. The freezing rain is expected to change back to all rain Tuesday afternoon. high on Tuesday reach 37. Rain and sleet will continue into Tuesday night, with a chance of rain and snow Wednesday morning. «Read the rest of this article»

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Bone-chilling cold, sub-zero wind chill heading for Middle Tennessee

By Christine Anne Piesyk | January 13, 2009 |

If you think it’s cold outside today, this is just the tip of the polar air mass headed south toward Tennessee.

Exceptionally cold air from the Arctic Circle is sweeping south, bringing with it “shockingly cold” temperatures, according to the National Weather Service hazardous weather warning issued today.

The NWS predicts that by Thursday, the daytime high temperature will remain in the twenties, with northwest winds  of 10-20 mph: that translates to a wind chill temperature a high temperature hovering around zero. By Thursday night, the low will range from -0- to -5- degrees with a wind chill coming in at minus 10 degrees.  «Read the rest of this article»

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Welcome winter: Frigid cold, sub-zero windchill on tap for Middle Tennessee

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 21, 2008 |

Winter is officially here, whipping in at 6:04 a.m., and while today may be cold, tomorrow (December 22) will be brutally cold.

According to the National Weather Service, which issued a special weather statement this morning,  a cold arctic air mass is about to sweep into the mid-state region bringing with it the coldest temperatures in six years by Monday morning. That statement includes a forecast for dangerous wind chill levels. While northern folks are used to such frigid weather and ready for it, Tennesseans are going to have bundle up in a way that they are not used to.

A predicted northwest wind gusting to near 30 mph this afternoon  and temperatures will be hard-pressed to hit the 30 degree mark. Wind child readings (the “feels like” temperature) will dip into the teens, falling into single digits across much of the region.  Wind chill readings could hit -5 — yes, five below zero. A wind chill advisory could be issued later today. «Read the rest of this article»

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