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Tennessee Prepares for Heavy Snow and Extreme Cold

Snow-covered landscape in Tennessee during winter

News Summary

Tennessee braces for a severe winter storm with snow and bitter cold expected across the state. TDOT crews are pre-treating roads while Knoxville has a strategic snow removal plan in place. Residents are advised to prepare for challenging travel conditions and dress warmly as temperatures drop significantly. Stay tuned for updates on the snowfall, which is anticipated to begin late Tuesday night, particularly in East Tennessee.

Tennessee Braces for a Winter Wonderland: Snow and Bitter Cold are on the Way!

Winter is making its icy presence felt in Tennessee, with a winter storm warning issued as residents prepare for some serious snow and bitterly cold temperatures. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is rolling up its sleeves and getting ready for the big chill, with crews already out pretreating interstates and state routes in anticipation of snowfall expected to hit on Wednesday.

Get Ready, Tennessee – Snow is Coming!

As we gear up for this snow-filled event, Mark Nagi from TDOT has a friendly reminder for all you drivers out there. It’s super important to give those hardworking crews plenty of room to work safely and get the roads prepped. Snow is expected to start moving into East Tennessee late Tuesday night, and by Wednesday morning, we could be looking at some significant accumulation. Get those boots ready!

Roads Dusted with Salt – But Not for Long!

In Knox County, crews have been busy treating roads in recent days due to the cold temperatures and heavy rain. Their salt supplies have been replenished, but funny enough, they won’t be applying brine ahead of the coming snow. Why, you ask? Because the expected rain is likely to wash it all away. Talk about timing!

A Two-Stage Snowstorm Strategy

The city of Knoxville has a strategic plan in place just for instances like this. It’s a two-stage operation: the first stage kicks off 24 to 48 hours before snowfall with an application of salt brine. When the snow actually hits, crews spring into action for ice and snow removal in the second stage.

Prioritizing Our Roads

Knoxville is also prioritizing which roads they focus on first when snow hits. They’ve designated their Level I routes for heavy traffic and hospitals, Level II for connecting streets, and Level III for those cozy neighborhood access roads. Smart planning, right?

Winter Weather Warnings in Effect

With a winter storm warning now in effect, certain areas, especially along the Interstate 40 corridor and northward, better brace for the snow. Forecasts predict that Nashville could see 2 to 4 inches, while Clarksville and parts of southern Kentucky prepare for about 4 to 6 inches. Southern counties might get off a bit easier, but still, a coating to 2 inches is no joke!

Travel with Caution

Travel conditions may start to deteriorate late Tuesday night. Temperatures are hovering below freezing through Saturday, which could lead to some slippery situations as the snow stays stuck on our roads.

Watch Out for the Chill!

Don’t forget about the cold! A cold weather advisory is lined up for Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky late Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Wind chill values could drop below zero, so dress warmly if you have to venture out!

Snowstorm Tip-Off!

For those in East Tennessee, snowflakes could begin to dance around as early as 5 a.m. on February 19. Keep an eye on weather updates, especially if you live in places like Knoxville, Morristown, and Kingsport. Higher elevations may see an earlier start to the snowy fun!

Be Cautious Out There, Tennessee!

Bottom line: this winter storm is shaping up to be one of the most significant we’ve seen this month, and it’s combining with that fresh blast of Arctic air. So, grab your hot cocoa, stay tuned for updates, and be prepared to navigate this snowy adventure with caution. Stay warm, and let’s embrace this winter weather together!