The Chattanooga area is expected to see severe weather Wednesday evening with thunderstorms producing high winds, hail and isolated tornadoes as all possible threats, according to the National Weather Service.
A tornado watch has been issued for Hamilton County and some surrounding counties from 6-10 p.m.
Hamilton County is one of several Tennessee counties that have been included in a hazardous weather outlook due to a cold front moving across the state. A few scattered storms and showers are expected during Wednesday afternoon, but the period of concern is from around 4-11 p.m. The storms are expected to be short but potentially damaging, according to our news partner Local 3 News.
As a precaution, Hamilton County Schools dismissed students two hours early on Wednesday and canceled all after-school activities. Buses will still run accordingly.
Tennessee counties in tornado watch until 10 p.m. Wednesday
Anderson Bledsoe Blount Bradley Campbell Claiborne Grainger Hamblen Hamilton Hancock Hawkins Jefferson Knox Loudon Marion McMinn Meigs Monroe Morgan Polk Rhea Roane Scott Sequatchie Sevier Union
In Bradley County, the following designated storm shelters were activated for Wednesday evening and will be open beginning at 4 p.m.:
– Minnis Road Fire Station 11 at 365 Minnis Road, Cleveland, TN 37323
– Dalton Pike Fire Station 12 at 2015 New St., Cleveland, TN 37323
– Georgetown Road Fire Station 13 at 5345 Georgetown Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312
– Walker Valley High School at 750 Lauderdale Memorial Highway, Cleveland, TN 37312
The shelters will remain open until the storm threat passes, according to a county news release.
The weather is expected to quiet down into the overnight hours with cooler temperatures remaining through the weekend.
– Compiled by Kim Sebring