Forecasters have shifted their predictions for the southern end of the Tennessee Valley as uncertainty remains as to where conditions will be treacherous as a winter storm system looms over the coming weekend.
Chattanooga could experience mostly rain, although freezing surface temperatures may cause ice buildup on roads, trees and power lines, leading to travel problems and power outages, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee.
(READ MORE: Deep freeze looms for Monday. Ice remains a concern, especially for higher elevations)
“I definitely think that it’s kind of trending in a better direction for your area,” meteorologist Kyle Snowden said in a phone interview. “It looks like you should be seeing a general improvement at least for the worst conditions down in that Chattanooga area, so our latest snowfall totals are generally around an inch or less in that area. Then storm total ice is generally around a quarter of an inch or less. So, you know, we’re kind of seeing trends in warming up a little bit.”
A winter storm watch remains in effect for all of East Tennessee starting at 1 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday.
(READ MORE: How to sign up for county, state and federal emergency alerts ahead of winter weather)
(READ MORE: Chattanooga forecast trends from snow toward ice as winter storm nears)
“We eventually see a transition over to kind of more of a cold rain, but over the next 24 to 48 hours, we’re going to continue to have these higher resolution models coming in.”
East Tennessee is still where the most uncertainty in the weekend forecast lies, he said, and forecasters are awaiting more detailed data.
“There’s still a potential to have some impacts because even a quarter of an inch of ice — if that continues to hold true as we get closer to the event — that can still bring some hazardous road travel, but also you can get some tree limbs or trees or power lines that come down, even with some lesser amounts. Power outages and things like that would be more isolated, kind of scattered, but not too terrible.”
(READ MORE: Cold is coming, Chattanooga. Here’s how to prepare your pipes)
The question is how the cold blast coming in Sunday night, continuing into Tuesday morning, will impact what remains of the wintry mix, Snowden said.
“That’s definitely a big part of the reason why we want to keep an eye on this, too,” Snowden said, “because power outages could really impact the days ahead with the cold temperatures.”
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Also, early Thursday, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issued a Code Orange Health Advisory for the Chattanooga area, in effect until 12 a.m. Friday, according to a press release. A Code Orange alert for particulate matter means ground-level particulate matter concentrations in the region may approach or exceed unhealthy levels for some people.
“The general public is not likely to be affected,” the agency said in the release. “Active children and adults, and people with a respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.”
Meanwhile, salt supplies have been replenished in all 95 counties in preparation for the winter season, according to the state Department of Transportation. Snowplows and brine trucks are ready for the incoming winter storm and will pretreat heavily traveled roads in advance.
Contact Southeast Tennessee reporter Ben Benton at [email protected] or 423-757-6569.
