Hail and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, May 6, 2022

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
National Weather Service Morristown TN
113 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

.UPDATE...
FOR 18Z AVIATION.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

An active severe weather day is expected. The main driver of this
event will be a negatively-tilted trough with a strong vort max
that will be rotating around a closed upper low, and the
associated jet streak at the base of that trough. Over the next
few hours, we expect that convection will develop along and west
of I-75, where the RAP and HRRR show an axis of higher CAPE
values. We are already starting to see this development in NE AL
at the moment. This instability axis shifts east into the central
Valley during the early afternoon, and into NE TN/SW VA in the
late afternoon. Aloft, we will have a surge of dry and cooler air
aloft that will aid in destabilization by steepening midlevel
lapse rates. In the 12Z OHX sounding, we are seeing values of 7.5
C/km, which will be advecting east. Deep shear will be adequate
for supercells, and 0-1 km shear values and LCL heights suggest a
tornado threat, mainly for areas south of I-40 and east of I-75.
However, it is notable that the HREF shows some updraft helicity
tracks north of I-40 this afternoon, so a tornado threat can't be
ruled out anywhere.

This initial round of storms between 11-4 am are expected to
mainly pose a damaging wind threat with a lower threat of
tornadoes, then a second round is expected to develop in the mid
to late afternoon near the Plateau, which may be primarily a hail
threat as WBZ heights quickly drop as the closed upper low
approaches. The HRRR shows this second round crossing our area
between 4-8 pm.

The forecast update will not need to make major changes to the
grids. Just a few tweaks will be made to PoP/Wx/QPF grids based on
current radar trends.

DGS

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAF DISCUSSION.

Thunderstorms will be affecting the area through the rest of the
afternoon, tracking from SW to NE. Gusty winds are expected at the
TAF sites with the storms, along with IFR vis in heavy rainfall.
Most of this activity should exit the area by 00Z. Tonight, an
upper low pressure system will track overhead, which will lead to
low clouds developing at all sites. MVFR cigs are expected to
prevail, although IFR may be possible at TYS and moreso at TRI. A
few scattered showers will also linger into tomorrow morning at
TRI.

DGS

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION...
/ISSUED 315 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022/
SHORT TERM (Today through Saturday)...

Key Messages:

1. Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected
through this evening.

2. Some severe storms will be likely mainly in the late morning
and early afternoon hours.

3. Friday night and Saturday, showers will continue off and on
with a low chance for thunder.

Discussion:

Shower and thunderstorm activity is already increasing ahead of
a low pressure system. A low will move through the Ohio Valley
today with a cold front moving through the region this evening.
This system has strong upper level support with a negatively
tilted trough moving through Middle and East Tennessee tomorrow
afternoon. Deep layer shear will be high around 40 to 50 knots.
Instability will be favorable with dew points in the mid 60s and
CAPE around 1000 to 2000 J/Kg. With 0-1 km shear around 20 to 30
knots a few isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out. The main
threat will be damaging straight line winds. Large hail will be
possible in the strongest storms. SPC has upgraded most of the
region to an Enhanced risk for severe storms. The strong upper
level support with this system makes for a high confidence that
there will be severe storms today. It is just a matter of how
widespread severe storms will be and if rotation will be strong
enough to produce a few isolated tornadoes. Non-convective
southwesterly winds will be gusty up to 30 mph at times.

Storm activity will decrease in the evening with frontal passage
but shower activity will linger overnight and Saturday as wrap
around moisture continues to produce light rain. The best chance
for rain on Saturday will be in the higher elevations of the
mountains as deep layer northwesterly flow perpendicular to the
mountains is forced to rise. Temps will be cooler Friday night
with lows in the low to mid 50s. Saturday will be cool with mostly
cloudy skies highs will be in the low to mid 60s in the Tennessee
Valley.

McD

LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Thursday)...

Key Messages:

1. A few showers lingering Saturday night.

2. Mostly dry Sunday through Thursday and becoming very warm.

Discussion:

We will start the period with an upper low centered to our northeast
and an upper ridge to our west.  The ridge will amplify and edge to
the east as the upper low drifts further the northeast and east, but
later in the period the upper low is forecast to retrograde to the
southwest as the upper ridge builds into the northeastern US. Model
consistency with the track of the retrograding upper low is not
great, but right now it appears it will drift into the southeastern
US keeping the better moisture to our south and east through the end
of the period.

We should see a few lingering showers Saturday night as
moisture continues to wrap around the upper low, but these should
end late Saturday night allowing for a dry day on Sunday. The
remainder of the week will be mostly dry with a warming trend. High
temperatures Sunday will be mainly in the 70s but highs by mid week
will generally range from lower 80s north to upper 80s south.

LW

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Chattanooga Airport, TN             56  66  53  78  55 /  40  20   0   0   0
Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN  55  62  52  73  53 /  60  60  10   0   0
Oak Ridge, TN                       55  63  52  74  53 /  60  40  10   0   0
Tri Cities Airport, TN              53  61  49  70  49 /  80  90  40  10   0

&&

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

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Morristown TN
322 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022

NCZ060-061-TNZ012>018-035>047-067>074-081>087-098>102-VAZ001-002-
005-006-008-070730-
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-
322 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022 /222 AM CDT Fri May 6 2022/

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Severe storms are likely today mainly late this morning into the
afternoon hours. Damaging winds are the main threat. Isolated
tornadoes and large hail are also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter reports will likely be needed Friday.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
943 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022

TNZ036>038-069-061430-
Anderson TN-Union TN-Grainger TN-Knox TN-
943 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central
Anderson, northeastern Knox, west central Grainger and Union Counties
through 1030 AM EDT...

At 943 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Knoxville, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Knoxville, Clinton, Maynardville, Plainview, Halls, Blaine, Luttrell,
Rose Hill, Paulette and Big Ridge State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3643 8384 3642 8383 3642 8382 3638 8375
      3635 8374 3634 8373 3634 8371 3635 8371
      3625 8354 3592 8399 3602 8416 3643 8386
TIME...MOT...LOC 1343Z 218DEG 46KT 3602 8402

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Diegan

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
1241 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

TNZ067-068-085-086-061730-
Northwest Monroe TN-Roane TN-Loudon TN-McMinn TN-
1241 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Loudon, northeastern
McMinn, northwestern Monroe and southeastern Roane Counties through
130 PM EDT...

At 1240 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sweetwater, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Oak Ridge, Lenoir City, Sweetwater, Loudon, Philadelphia, Paint Rock,
Bradbury, Tellico Village and Murray Store.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3562 8464 3565 8462 3567 8463 3597 8432
      3594 8429 3590 8427 3581 8417 3578 8417
      3577 8418 3576 8415 3553 8454
TIME...MOT...LOC 1640Z 226DEG 30KT 3563 8455

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Diegan

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
1256 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

TNZ013-014-061745-
Claiborne TN-Campbell TN-
1256 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Claiborne and northeastern Campbell Counties through 145 PM EDT...

At 1256 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Pruden, or 13 miles southwest of Middlesboro, moving
northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Harrogate, Cumberland Gap, Arthur, Powell River Preserve and
Clairfield.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3660 8359 3656 8354 3643 8384 3643 8386
      3642 8389 3643 8389 3641 8391 3640 8391
      3639 8393 3640 8395 3640 8396 3648 8404
      3659 8390 3658 8369 3660 8367
TIME...MOT...LOC 1656Z 230DEG 27KT 3648 8390

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

SR

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
102 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

TNZ068-069-071-086-061745-
Northwest Monroe TN-Loudon TN-Knox TN-NW Blount TN-
102 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Loudon,
south central Knox, northern Blount and north central Monroe Counties
through 145 PM EDT...

At 102 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Madisonville, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Knoxville, Maryville, Alcoa, Madisonville, Louisville, Rockford,
Eagleton Village, Vonore, Greenback and Friendsville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3558 8438 3594 8393 3577 8373 3575 8373
      3549 8427
TIME...MOT...LOC 1702Z 230DEG 40KT 3557 8428

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Diegan

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
123 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

TNZ037-069-074-061815-
Sevier Smoky Mountains TN-Union TN-Knox TN-
123 PM EDT Fri May 6 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Knox, southeastern
Sevier and south central Union Counties through 215 PM EDT...

At 122 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Knoxville, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Farragut, Pigeon Forge, Plainview, Smoky
Mountains-Newfound Gap, Smoky Mountains-Fontana Area, Halls, Pittman
Center and Paulette.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3557 8366 3568 8366 3572 8355 3603 8374
      3585 8409 3595 8421 3603 8406 3606 8409
      3624 8389 3609 8367 3608 8367 3610 8371
      3606 8369 3573 8355 3573 8353 3581 8328
      3571 8325 3570 8325 3557 8349
TIME...MOT...LOC 1722Z 226DEG 38KT 3595 8408

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

SR