Oak Ridge Today

TVA asks customers to conserve power during high demand

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Photo courtesy Tennessee Valley Authority

The Tennessee Valley Authority said heavy snow and bitter cold temperatures are creating record-high demand for electricity across the Southeast.

“As a result, the Tennessee Valley Authority is asking customers to be aware of their power consumption, specifically between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. (Central Time) on Wednesday,” a press release said.

“TVA is actively monitoring weather conditions, and our power system remains stable,” the press release said. “Conservation requests are often used in the power industry to help lower demand during a specific time and does not indicate TVA is experiencing emergency conditions. If you are experiencing an outage, please check with your local electric provider for more information.”

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Schools, state offices closed Friday

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Oak Ridge Schools and Tennessee government offices will be closed Friday because of weather and road conditions, and Oak Ridge city offices will open late.

Anderson County government offices could be closed Friday as well, although a decision hadn’t been announced as of 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Winter weather that started Thursday included freezing rain, ice, snow, and cold temperatures, and state offices and schools were closed Thursday also while some city offices closed early.

The cold weather is forecast to continue Friday, although no snow is forecast after midnight Thursday in Oak Ridge.

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Snow, cold likely, NWS says

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Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

Snow and cold temperatures are likely in Oak Ridge on Thursday, the National Weather Service in Morristown said, and many schools in the area, including in Oak Ridge, are closed.

Here is the NWS forecast for the Oak Ridge area on Thursday, when the high is expected to be 36 degrees Fahrenheit, with a mostly cloudy sky and a wintry mix of precipitation:

  • Rain, snow, and sleet before 4 p.m. Thursday.
  • Rain between 4 and 5 p.m.
  • Rain and snow after 5 p.m.

The chance of precipitation is 100%, but the Weather Service does not expect much snow or sleet to accumulate. The NWS said it has “moderate confidence in the start time for snow since minor changes in temperature can affect when rain turns to snow.”

But this evening, there could be one to two inches of snow that accumulate, the NWS said. Snow is likely mainly before 8 p.m., the forecast said. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

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Hazardous driving conditions remain in Anderson County

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A view of snow-covered Dutch Valley from Waldens Ridge in Anderson County on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by Anderson County Sheriff's Department)

A view of snow-covered Dutch Valley from Waldens Ridge in Anderson County on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

 

Note: This story was updated at 11:05 p.m.

Update: State routes were mostly clear Wednesday afternoon, but secondary roads still had snow and ice in spots, especially where they are shaded. Some roads remained entirely snow-covered. Areas that melted in the sun Wednesday were expected to refreeze overnight as the temperatures will once again be in the single digits. Motorists should continue to use caution.

Three traffic crashes had been reported as of 4 p.m., and deputies planned to continue patrolling and answering calls in four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Hazardous driving conditions remained in Anderson County on Wednesday morning, with some state routes still having snow and ice.

Secondary roads are mostly snow-covered, with ice in places, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

“Bitter cold temperatures overnight resulted in many roads freezing over and becoming dangerous,” Lucas said. “Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is necessary.”

Three traffic crashes were reported Tuesday, but none have been reported so far Wednesday morning, Lucas said. [Read more…]

Dangerous wind chills expected tonight, this week

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Wind chill advisories are in effect tonight (Monday, Jan. 1, 2018), mainly across the higher elevations. Dress appropriately for the very cold temperatures. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

Wind chill advisories are in effect tonight (Monday, Jan. 1, 2018), mainly across the higher elevations. Dress appropriately for the very cold temperatures. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

 

The low in Oak Ridge tonight (Monday, January 1) is forecast at 3 degrees Fahrenheit, and temperatures this week are expected to remain very low, mostly below freezing and dropping back down to 9 on Friday night, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

A wind chill advisory is in effect from midnight to 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, including in Oak Ridge and Clinton.

“An Arctic air mass remains across the region with very cold temperatures expected to occur tonight,” the National Weather Service said. “The combination of the cold air and wind will result in dangerously cold wind chills between 5 below zero to 15 below zero.”

The very cold wind chills will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin, the Weather Service said. Wind chills could range from 0 degrees to 10 below zero in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. [Read more…]

Updated: More closures, delays Wednesday as snow falls, temperatures drop

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Winter Weather Advisory

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:56 p.m.

Many offices and schools will remain closed on Wednesday because of the weather and road conditions, and some will open late. The National Weather Service in Morristown has issued a winter weather advisory for snow on Wednesday and a wind chill watch for Wednesday night.

Schools in Oak Ridge and Clinton and Anderson and Roane counties will be closed again Wednesday. So will Roane State Community College campuses. Pellissippi State Community College will also be closed.

Anderson County Schools will be closed the rest of the week, officials said Wednesday, and the Central Office is closed as well.

Anderson County government offices and all courts will be closed Wednesday.

City of Oak Ridge offices will open at 9 a.m. City Hall in Rocky Top will close at noon Wednesday for deteriorating weather conditions. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge, Red Cross, others prepare to provide shelter for those without power

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City of Oak Ridge Seal

The snow may be over for this week, but the coldest days are yet to come. The Oak Ridge Fire Department will coordinate with the local Red Cross office and other organizations to provide shelter for those who lose power.

The National Weather Service has forecast temperatures in the teens to possibly as much as 10 below zero over the next 48 to 72 hours.

“Residents are encouraged to use extreme caution if you must go outside,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. “Dress in layers and minimize your exposure to the cold temperatures. Also, bring your pets inside.”

The Oak Ridge Fire Department reminded citizens to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you are using portable heaters to heat your home or apartment. [Read more…]

Updated: Winter storm warning in effect; snow, sleet, freezing rain possible

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Ice Accumulation

Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown

 

Note: This story was updated at 8:32 a.m. Feb. 16.

A winter storm warning is in effect in parts of East Tennessee—including Anderson, Knox, Loudon, and Roane counties—and there could be some snow this morning, possibly mixed with sleet, forecasters said. The precipitation could change to a mix of mostly freezing rain and sleet during the day, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown. It could change back to sleet or snow before tapering off.

The NWS said snow and sleet accumulations of one to four inches are possible, and total ice accumulations of a quarter to a half inch are possible.

The winter storm warning area includes Clinton and Oak Ridge, as well as Kingston and Knoxville. It also includes Jefferson, Grainger, and Union counties, and northwest Blount and north Sevier counties. The storm warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday. [Read more…]

Anderson County Schools closed Wednesday because of low temps, wind chill

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Anderson County Schools will be closed Wednesday because of extremely low temperatures and a predicted wind chill factor of zero or below, officials said.

Central Office employees will follow inclement weather procedures, a press release said.