Alert archive / Tennessee / Flash Flood Warnings in 2023

Flash Flood Warning 32, NWS Morristown, TN

August 12, 2023Anderson County, Morgan County, Scott County, Tennessee

NWS Morristown, TN issued this flash flood warning at Aug 12, 2023, 3:26 PM EDT for Anderson County, Morgan County, Scott County, Tennessee. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 12, 2023, 3:26 PM EDT (19:26 UTC)
Expired
Aug 12, 2023, 6:01 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Morristown, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Anderson County, TN, Morgan County, TN, Scott County, TN

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 94 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:30 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 7.4 hours before the alert went out and 193 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2023-08-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2540 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2023-08-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 120 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
2540 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-67 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
811 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
27 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
120 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
100 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
3.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Morristown, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 12, 1:38 PM EDT, 1 hour 48 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 12, 1:38 PM EDT, 1 hour 48 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Morristown TN
138 PM EDT Sat Aug 12 2023

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM...

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1059 AM EDT Sat Aug 12 2023

Current satellite and surface observations show an MCS with strong
to severe thunderstorms across northwestern TN through
west/central KY moving east-southeastward through the afternoon.
The 12z suite of CAMs have initialized poorly and do not
adequately show the near-storm environment across West TN and West
KY. These storms and outflow will move into a very unstable
environment across the Tennessee Valley and Southern Appalachians
this afternoon with MLCAPE near or above 3000 J/Kg resulting in
DCAPE of around 1200 J/Kg. Effective bulk shear of 30 to 35 kt is
sufficient for maintaining thunderstorm organization. This
thermodynamic environment will be very favorable for damaging wind
gusts with the strongest thunderstorms this afternoon. Current
timing of maximum thunderstorm coverage is expected to be between
around 18z and 23z this afternoon.

JB

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Sunday)
Issued at 114 PM EDT Sat Aug 12 2023

Key Messages:

1. Hot with strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon.

2. Hot again on Sunday with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms,
though expected less coverage than today.

Discussion:

The MCS moving eastward across the Tennessee Valley this afternoon
will impact us over the next several hours. As it encounters a
very moist, unstable boundary layer, this convection will continue
to be strong to severe. Current SPC/RAP mesoanalysis indicates
MLCAPE of 3000 J/Kg which should increase slightly over the next
couple of hours with DCAPE values of 900 to 1200 across the
region. Damaging winds will be the primary risk, but some severe
hail and a low risk of a brief, spin up tornado will be possible.
We have observed some bowing segments with potential QLCS
tornadoes that have been warned just east of Nashville, and with
0-1 km shear of about 20 kt, that risk will remain as the MCS
moves eastward into our area.

Convection should exit the area by around 23z this evening with
some lingering clouds and fog formation overnight. The shortwave
that produced today's convection will be east of the area with
some shortwave ridging working to limit convective coverage on
Sunday afternoon. Because of this ridging, we will have lower
instability with RAP forecast 2000 J/Kg MLCAPE and lower mid-level
lapse rates. However, some convective initiation will still be
possible along any lingering outflow boundaries and across the
higher elevations. Thunderstorm chances may increase into Sunday
night as another shortwave dives southeastward towards the region.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Sunday night through next Saturday)
Issued at 114 PM EDT Sat Aug 12 2023

Key Messages:

1. Additional showers and storms are possible at times Monday and
some storms may become strong to severe. Main threats will be
damaging winds and hail.

2. Heat indices could approach 100 degrees for central and southern
portions of the area at times Sunday and Monday.

3. Cooler and drier conditions expected Tuesday through Thursday.

Discussion:

The main focus for the extended period will be Monday and Monday
night as another anomalous shortwave tracks into the Ohio Valley and
eastward. The positively tilted shortwave will result in H5 flow
amplifying upwards of 50-60kts, with southwesterly H85 winds
increasing to roughly 30-40kts per the latest NAM model run. Some
initial convection may be possible across northern portions of the
area where upper level diffluence occurs ahead the shortwave Monday
morning/mid-day. Quite honestly there still remains a bit of
uncertainty with timing and confidence in severe weather chances for
this time period. Most recent model solutions from the NAM3K and
HRRR differ significantly on the placement of this early day
convection, with the HRRR being most bullish on a potential MCS
progressing near the TN/KY/VA border. Soundings ahead of the MCS
show an unusually unstable environment for morning hours with MLCAPE
nearing 2000J/kg. If a scenario as such pans out, some strong to
severe storms may be possible early morning mid-day across northern
portions of the area, damaging winds and hail being the primary
concerns.

Storms should clear out for the afternoon with muggy and hot
conditions expected. Heat indices could approach 100 degrees for
portions of the southern and central Tennessee Valley. A cold front
is anticipated to approach the area bringing additional storm
chances late Monday potentially into early Tuesday morning. Timing
will play an important role in the severe weather chances as slower
timing could lead to increasingly diminishing instability. NAM
soundings currently continue to show MUCAPE persisting between 1000-
2000 J/kg ahead of the convection. Again, winds and hail will be the
main threats. For this Monday timeframe, isolated flooding cannot be
ruled out for areas that see multiple rounds of showers and storms
as well.

Some light lingering activity may persist early/mid-Tuesday with
wrap around moisture but the general trend for the remainder of the
week will be drier with temperatures slightly below normal. An
additional trough will dig south from the Great Lakes region late
week but plenty of model discrepancies lead to uncertainty on the
potential of returning PoP chances at the end of the extended.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 103 PM EDT Sat Aug 12 2023

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms will impact terminals
this afternoon with these storms expected to exit the area by
around 23z. Fog potential will exist overnight with a very moist
boundary layer environment and evening rainfall accumulation.
Additional thunderstorm potential again on Sunday afternoon late
in the period where we've included a prob30 for tsra.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Chattanooga Airport, TN             93  73  93  75 /  50  30  40  10
Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN  90  73  89  74 /  60  30  40  20
Oak Ridge, TN                       89  72  89  73 /  50  40  50  20
Tri Cities Airport, TN              87  70  85  70 /  50  40  40  20

&&

.MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...NONE.
TN...NONE.
VA...NONE.
&&

SHORT TERM...JB
LONG TERM....KRS
AVIATION...JB
Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 12, 2:01 PM EDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Morristown TN
201 PM EDT Sat Aug 12 2023

NCZ060-061-TNZ012>018-035>047-067>074-081>087-098>102-VAZ001-002-
005-006-008-131815-
Cherokee-Clay-Scott TN-Campbell-Claiborne-Hancock-Hawkins-
Sullivan-Johnson-Morgan-Anderson-Union-Grainger-Hamblen-
Northwest Cocke-Cocke Smoky Mountains-Northwest Greene-
Southeast Greene-Washington TN-Unicoi-Northwest Carter-
Southeast Carter-Roane-Loudon-Knox-Jefferson-Northwest Blount-
Blount Smoky Mountains-North Sevier-Sevier Smoky Mountains-
Sequatchie-Bledsoe-Rhea-Meigs-McMinn-Northwest Monroe-
Southeast Monroe-Marion-Hamilton-Bradley-West Polk-East Polk-Lee-
Wise-Scott VA-Russell-Washington VA-
201 PM EDT Sat Aug 12 2023 /101 PM CDT Sat Aug 12 2023/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest North
Carolina...east Tennessee and southwest Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon. Damaging winds
will be the main risk with a low risk of hail, and a very low risk
of a brief spin-up tornado.

Heat index values are expected to be around 100 to 105 degrees in
the southern Tennessee Valley today near Chattanooga. Practice
heat safety this afternoon.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

An active period continues into Sunday and Monday with multiple
rounds of storms possible.

Strong to severe storms are possible each of these days. Also,
hot conditions are expected with many central and southern
Tennessee Valley locations seeing heat indices close to 100 to 105
degrees near Chattanooga.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter reports may be needed this afternoon through Monday for
severe thunderstorms.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 12, 2:52 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 12, 2:54 PM EDT, 32 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 12, 3:00 PM EDT, 26 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 12, 3:03 PM EDT, 23 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 12, 3:04 PM EDT, 22 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 12, 3:15 PM EDT, 11 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Morristown, TN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 12, 1:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMRXMarion46 min
Aug 12, 1:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXHamilton, Marion42 min
Aug 12, 1:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMRXAnderson, Campbell39 min
Aug 12, 1:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMRXSequatchie36 min
Aug 12, 1:54 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXCampbell, Claiborne, Union51 min
Aug 12, 1:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXHamilton, Sequatchie46 min
Aug 12, 2:01 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMRXBledsoe, Meigs, Rhea44 min
Aug 12, 2:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBledsoe, Hamilton, Meigs, Rhea39 min
Aug 12, 2:12 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMRXMorgan, Scott48 min
Aug 12, 2:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMRXHamilton47 min
Aug 12, 2:17 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Campbell, Morgan, Scott43 min
Aug 12, 2:24 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMRXLoudon, Roane51 min
Aug 12, 2:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatMRXBledsoe, Bradley, Hamilton, McMinn, Marion, Meigs and 3 more49 min
Aug 12, 2:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXLoudon, Morgan, Rhea, Roane46 min
Aug 12, 2:35 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatMRXBradley, Hamilton, Marion, Sequatchie40 min
Aug 12, 2:39 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXClaiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Union51 min
Aug 12, 2:41 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Blount, Knox, Sevier64 min
Aug 12, 2:48 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBradley, Hamilton, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe and 3 more42 min
Aug 12, 2:51 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatMRXAnderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Knox, Morgan, Scott and 1 more39 min
Aug 12, 2:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMRXBradley23 min
Aug 12, 2:58 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatMRXAnderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane47 min
Aug 12, 3:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBradley, Polk45 min
Aug 12, 3:07 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMRXAnderson, Campbell, Morgan, Scott, Union113 min
Aug 12, 3:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Sevier, Union67 min
Aug 12, 3:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBledsoe, Bradley, Hamilton, Loudon, McMinn, Marion and 5 more41 min
Aug 12, 3:11 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Campbell, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, Scott39 min
Aug 12, 3:20 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXClaiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins39 min
Aug 12, 3:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Bradley, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe, Polk and 1 more49 min
Aug 12, 3:29 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox and 1 more26 min
Aug 12, 3:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBradley, Hamilton, Polk41 min
Aug 12, 3:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXAnderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon and 1 more62 min
Aug 12, 3:46 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXCocke, Jefferson, Sevier59 min
Aug 12, 3:57 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXMonroe, Polk48 min
Aug 12, 3:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Monroe, Sevier31 min
Aug 12, 4:01 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMRXBlount, Knox, Sevier25 min
Aug 12, 4:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXBlount, Cocke, Jefferson, Sevier38 min
Aug 12, 4:23 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningMRXBlount, Jefferson, Knox, Sevier2 hr
Aug 12, 4:27 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXCocke, Greene48 min
Aug 12, 5:01 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXGreene, Unicoi, Washington44 min
Aug 12, 5:33 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMRXCarter, Johnson42 min
Aug 12, 4:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMRXCherokee, Clay35 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Tennessee, 2023Every flash flood warning in 2023

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.