THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR ALL OF MIDDLE
TENNESSEE TODAY...AND INTO THE EVENING ON THE PLATEAU. THE MAIN
THREAT WILL BE A SQUALL LINE PRODUCING DAMAGING WIND AND LARGE
HAIL...BUT ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO VERY POSSIBLE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FRIDAY AND FRIDAY
NIGHT. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS WILL BE THE BULK BUT ISOLATED TORNADOES
ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

READY TN MOBILE APPLICATION PROMOTES INDIVIDUAL PREPAREDNESS

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and National Weather Service (NWS) are promoting preparedness for families, individuals and businesses during Tennessee Severe Weather Awareness Week, Feb. 19, to Feb. 25, 2012.

“Tennessee has experienced two years of unprecedented natural disasters and individual preparedness is more important than ever, said TEMA Director James Bassham.  “Emergencies and disasters can happen anywhere and anytime so we hope Tennessee citizens will take an active role in the preparedness of their families, their neighborhoods and their communities.”

Throughout the week, NWS, TEMA and other support­ing groups will conduct educational activities and drills to help people prevent injuries and deaths from tornadoes, damaging winds, flash floods, lightning, and hail.

TEMA is announcing the release of a new mobile, smartphone application, Ready TN.

Ready TN is a tool to help citizens know the hazards in their community and the preparations they should take to be ready for any emergency.  The application provides location-based information on severe weather, road conditions, open shelters and local government contacts.   Preparedness tips for specific hazards and checklists for emergency kit items are also provided in the application’s content.

The Ready TN smartphone application is currently available in the Android Market by searching for Ready TN.  The application is under development for use on the Apple iPhone.

The NWS will use the week to focus on severe weather preparedness, safety and warnings.  Specific weather threats such as tornadoes or lightning, along with NOAA Weather Radio and Skywarn storm spotters, will be highlighted on individual days.

This year's statewide tornado drill will be initiated with a special NOAA Weather Radio test around 9:30 a.m., CST, on Wed., Feb. 22, 2012.

"Tennessee is vulnerable to virtually every type of weather hazard imaginable", said NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Tom Johnstone.  "It is critical that our residents understand the threats, have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings, and have a plan to quickly get to a safe place when a warning is issued."

Jointly, NWS and TEMA plan to distribute the 2012 Severe Weather Awareness brochure to schools, businesses and individuals.

The brochure is available at www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/?n=swaw201

Campaign Highlights Tornado, Flood, Thunderstorm and Lightning Threats

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and National Weather Service (NWS) are promoting preparedness for families, individuals and businesses during Tennessee Severe Weather Awareness Week, Feb. 19, to Feb. 25, 2012.

“Tennessee has experienced two years of unprecedented natural disasters and individual preparedness is more important than ever, said TEMA Director James Bassham.  “Emergencies and disasters can happen anywhere and anytime so we hope Tennessee citizens will take an active role in the preparedness of their families, their neighborhoods and their communities.”

Throughout the week, NWS, TEMA and other support­ing groups will conduct educational activities and drills to help people prevent injuries and deaths from tornadoes, damaging winds, flash floods, lightning, and hail.

TEMA is announcing the release of a new mobile, smartphone application, Ready TN.

Ready TN is a tool to help citizens know the hazards in their community and the preparations they should take to be ready for any emergency.  The application provides location-based information on severe weather, road conditions, open shelters and local government contacts.   Preparedness tips for specific hazards and checklists for emergency kit items are also provided in the application’s content.

The Ready TN smartphone application is currently available in the Android Market by searching for Ready TN.  The application is under development for use on the Apple iPhone.

The NWS will use the week to focus on severe weather preparedness, safety and warnings.  Specific weather threats such as tornadoes or lightning, along with NOAA Weather Radio and Skywarn storm spotters, will be highlighted on individual days.

This year's statewide tornado drill will be initiated with a special NOAA Weather Radio test around 9:30 a.m., CST, on Wed., Feb. 22, 2012.

"Tennessee is vulnerable to virtually every type of weather hazard imaginable", said NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Tom Johnstone.  "It is critical that our residents understand the threats, have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings, and have a plan to quickly get to a safe place when a warning is issued."

Jointly, NWS and TEMA plan to distribute the 2012 Severe Weather Awareness brochure to schools, businesses and individuals.

The brochure is available at www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/?n=swaw2012.

A strong cold front will bring much colder air into Middle Tennessee this afternoon with snow showers likely. Accumulation of one half inch of snow is possible for Davidson County and black ice could be possible this evening, advises the Nashville office of the National Weather Service. All Metro/Nashville Schools' after-school programs & activities have been canceled for tonight, Thursday, Jan. 12, as a precautionary measure. This includes all athletic events, practices, tutoring, & Winter Graduation. For questions about after school care, contact your school or provider. Temperatures will fall into the 30s this afternoon and into the 20s tonight. Light snow accumulations are possible in northern Middle Tennessee counties with up to three inches on the Upper Cumberland Plateau. Travel problems are expected tonight with sub-freezing temperatures, especially with black ice which proved a serious threat at the start of the New year. The Weather Service notes it doesn't take a lot of snow to cause significant travel problems when it melts and re-freezes as black ice.

A hazardous weather advisory has been issued for today by the Nashville office of the National Weather Service for the Middle Tennessee area around Nashville with rain turning to snow, likely by late morning.

Less than an inch of snow is expected with some accumulation on grass. Chance of snow is 70 percent. Highs will be in the upper 30s Here's the NWS forecast: TODAY...SNOW SHOWERS LIKELY. SNOW ACCUMULATION LESS THAN 1 INCH.
HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF
SNOW 70 PERCENT. .TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH. .THURSDAY...PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S. LIGHT SOUTH WINDS. .THURSDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. LIGHT AND
VARIABLE WINDS.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL BE IN EFFECT EARLY TUESDAY FOR
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE TENNESSEE. SNOWFALL OF 1 TO 2 INCHES WILL
OCCUR...MAINLY ON GRASSY SURFACES.

ADDITIONAL LIGHT SNOWFALL IS POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...BUT
NO ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGED
TO REPORT HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS OR ANY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE.
NATIONAL WEATHER SEREVICE,NASHVILLE:

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL BE IN EFFECT EARLY TUESDAY FOR
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE TENNESSEE. SNOWFALL OF 1 TO 2 INCHES WILL
OCCUR...MAINLY ON GRASSY SURFACES.

ADDITIONAL LIGHT SNOWFALL IS POSSIBLE THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT...BUT
NO ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGED
TO REPORT HEAVY RAINFALL AMOUNTS OR ANY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE.

Fall's heavy-handed cool weather arrival this week will likely leave a prominent mark upon the landscape overnight as the Nashville office of the National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for early Friday morning. NWS warns that exposed vegetation may suffer harm from freezing conditions from 4-8 a.m. Friday due to cold, moist air circulating into our area from the north.

Potted plants may need to be taken inside or covered as temperatures drop into the lower 30s, espeically in low-lying areas.

Here's the Weather Service warning:

...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 8 AM CDT FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE HAS ISSUED A FREEZE
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 8 AM CDT FRIDAY.

* EVENT...FREEZE WARNING FOR ALL OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE

* TIMING...4 AM CDT TO 8 AM CDT FRIDAY

* IMPACT...TEMPERATURES WILL FALL INTO THE LOWER 30S IN LOW LYING
LOCATIONS ACROSS MIDDLE TENNESSEE. THIS WILL RESULT IN FREEZING
CONDITIONS AND POTENTIAL HARM TO EXPOSED VEGETATION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR
HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER
SENSITIVE VEGETATION.

Dangerous heat index values for Thursday and Friday are forecast by the Nashville office of the National Weather Service which has extended a heat advisory for most of Middle Tennessee through 7 p.m. Friday.

Heat index values for the area are predicted in the range of 105-110.

A hot high pressure system will cover the region with dangerous heat levels across the area. Here's the Weather Service alert: ...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT FRIDAY...

* TIMING...HEAT INDEX READINGS WILL PEAK IN THE LATE AFTERNOON
HOURS EACH DAY.

* IMPACT...THE FIRST TO SUFFER FROM THE HEAT WILL BE CHILDREN...
THE ELDERLY...AND PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC AILMENTS. HEAT
EXHAUSTION... HEAT CRAMPS...AND HEAT STROKE ARE POSSIBLE DUE
TO PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE HEAT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN
POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR
EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT
STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTED CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE
AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

TO REDUCE THE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST
BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME
BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT
STROKE IS A EMERGENCY - CALL 9 1 1.

A heat advisory has been issued for Middle Tennessee from noon today until 7 p.m. Thursday by the Nashville office of the National Weather Service.

A heat advisory means heat index values, temperature and humidity, will reach or exceed 105 degrees and overnight lows will be in the mids 70s.

Today's high is expected to hit 97 with Thursday seeing a reading of 98.

Anyone working or spending time outside is advised to take special precautions.

The forecast for the next few days is:

Today: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 102. West northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

The National Weather Service's Nashville office continues to warn of excessive heat across Middle Tennessee today through Tuesday evening.

Most of the area is under a heat advisory, meaning the heat index values are expected to reach or exceed 105 degrees during the day.

Here's are heat safety tips from the NWS:

Child Safety Tips

Check to make sure seating surfaces and equipment (child safety seat and safety belt buckles) aren't too hot when securing your child in a safety restraint system in a car that has been parked in the heat.

Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.

Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars.

Always lock car doors and trunks -- even at home -- and keep keys out of children's reach.

Always make sure all child passengers have left the car when you reach your destination. Don't overlook sleeping infants.

Heat Wave Safety Tips

Slow down - Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.

Dress for summer- Lightweight light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.

Put less fuel on your inner fires - Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.

Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids - Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, (2) are on fluid restrictive diets or (3) have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages.

Spend more time in air-conditioned places - Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.

Don't get too much sun - Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult

Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician

 

Know These Heat Disorder Symptoms

SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.

HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

HEAT STROKE (sunstroke): High body temperature (106° F or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. First Aid: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again, repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.

*For more information contact your local American Red Cross Chapter. Ask to enroll in a first aid course.

 

Community Guidance: Preparing for and Responding to Excessive Heat Events

The "Excessive Heat Events Guidebook" was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2006, in collaboration with NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This guidebook provides best practices that have been employed to save lives during heat waves in different urban areas, and provides a menu of options that communities can use in developing their own mitigation plans.

Produced as a cooperative effort of NOAA's National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross.