Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown.
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will move across the Cumberland Plateau and into East Tennessee and southwest Virginia this evening, forecasters said Tuesday.
The biggest risk from the storms is damaging straight-line winds of up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.
“Locally heavy rainfall and frequent lightning will also be possible with the strongest activity,” the NWS said.
The Weather Service issued a significant weather advisory at 7:09 p.m. for Anderson and Union counties and southern Campbell, central Morgan, and southeastern Scott counties until 8 p.m.
Weather radar was tracking a line of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from LaFollette to 11 miles southwest of Jacksboro to near Wartburg—and moving east at 55 mph, forecasters said.
“Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms,” the NWS said.
Cities affected include Oak Ridge, Clinton, LaFollette, Oliver Springs, Lake City, Norris, Wartburg, Caryville, Petros, Rosedale, and Maynardville, among other others.
“These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio and television stations, as well as local cable TV outlets, for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service,” the NWS said.
The forecast near Oak Ridge calls for a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4 a.m. Conditions are expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low around 70 and southwest wind around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening.
There is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Wednesday. Conditions are expected to be partly sunny and hot, with a high near 90 and a calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
