Wintry weather will continue in Tennessee and Georgia into late March, but now also is the time area residents should plan for upcoming severe weather, meteorologists say.
Below-average temperatures and above-average wet weather mean spots of snow and slush will dot the Chattanooga area, National Weather Service meteorologists in both states say.
“We do have a chance across North Georgia for at least a little bit of mixture of winter precipitation (this morning),” said Matt Sena, a meteorologist out of Peachtree City, Ga.
Cold temperatures should remain through the weekend and again Monday night, he said, with highs in the 50s and lows in the low 30s or upper 20s.
Looking to next month, forecasters expect low temperatures to linger through March.
“Mid to late March wraps up winter weather in the Tennessee Valley,” said Tim Troutman, warning coordination meteorologist in Morristown, Tenn. “But this area is definitely not out of the woods.”
UPCOMING WEATHERForecasters predict winter precipitation for this morning and high temperatures in the 50s and lows in the low 30s or high 20s today through Monday night. Into March, the Tennessee Valley is expected to see temperatures lower than normal with continued winter weather into the end of the month.DEALING WITH LIGHTNING* Seek shelter inside a building or an all-metal vehicle with windows rolled up.* When boating, head for shore and get inside a shelter. If caught in a boat, lie down with cushions between you and the boat’s side and bottom.* Avoid large trees and high places such as hilltops, chain-link fences, metal surfaces of any kind, motorcycles, scooters, golf carts, tractors or any other motorized equipment that does not have an enclosed metal cab.* If indoors, stay away from windows.* Unplug computers.* If a person is struck by lightning, there is no residual charge and they should receive CPR immediately.Source: National Weather Service
Mr. Troutman is traveling across the state to share safety tips for Tennessee Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs through Friday.
“Chattanooga is not 100 percent safe from ever being hit by a tornado,” he said, pointing to tornadoes that touched down in Hamilton County in 1997, 1974 and 1952, all of which hit between February and April.
The awareness week is held this time of year before the three-month period of March, April and May, which is intense thunderstorm and tornado season, Mr. Troutman said.
He advises residents to put a plan in place for both home and travel routes during severe-weather season.
Such weather can strike any time of day or night in any part of the year, he said, but in the Tennessee Valley tornadoes hit most often between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. — when most residents are heading home from work.
“It’s important to have at least three to five sturdy buildings in your path so you can get off the road,” Mr. Troutman said.
He also encouraged residents to buy weather radios for their homes that can alert listeners directly within 13 seconds of a tornado watch or warning.
Inside a home, residents need to stay in the interior of the structure, away from glass and exterior walls, he said.
ON THE WEB
Resources for emergency plans and weather — www.fema.gov, www.redcross.org, www.weather.gov