Latest news with #AndrewJoyner
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
ETSU preps for start of hurricane season while reflecting on Helene
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — With the start of hurricane season only days away, East Tennessee State University is warning the Tri-Cities region to be prepared in case of another storm's arrival. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused widespread devastation to the area despite the distance from the coast. ETSU to play Louisville in first round of NCAA tournament Tennessee State Climatologist Andrew Joyner, a faculty member of the ETSU Department of Geosciences, urged the people of the Tri-Cities to stay on top of hurricane forecasts this season. 'We may not get direct hits from hurricanes like coastal areas do,' Joyner said in a news release. 'But the remnants of those storms can still bring serious impacts, especially when the season is active.' The 2025 hurricane season is expected to be active, the release states. Hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. According to the forecasters at Colorado State University, a higher-than-average number of storms have been predicted for the 2025 hurricane season. Joyner said the main threat to the Appalachian region is not the winds of the hurricanes, but the water. 'Flash flooding is our biggest concern,' Joyner said. 'With these systems, it's not uncommon to see significant rainfall spread hundreds of miles inland, and the narrow valleys and steep terrain of our region make us especially vulnerable.' During Helene, streamflow at Embreeville reached more than 80,000 cubic feet. ETSU noted that streamflow is more than 130 times the average. Helene triggered flooding that left numerous dead and historic destruction that several communities are still recovering from. 'It's a generational event, and one we'll be studying for years,' Joyner said of Helene. 'These types of storms have impacted Appalachia before, but may become more frequent and more intense, and we need to plan accordingly.' The Tennessee Climate Office, which is housed at ETSU, is working to develop emergency mitigation strategies and public policy in preparation for future storms. Joyner urged people in the area to pay close attention to forecasts and create their own plan in the event of another disaster like Helene. 'Remember that even if we're not in a coastal zone, hurricanes can still hit home in ways that matter,' Joyner said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Record rainfall has eliminated drought across Middle Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — For the first time in almost a year, none of Middle Tennessee is under any level of drought. In fact, nearly the entire state of Tennessee and all of Kentucky is completely drought-free. According to the latest Drought Monitor, there's no drought in Middle Tennessee and only a small part of East Tennessee is under moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions. Considering the amount of rain the region has seen lately, this is likely not a surprise. In fact, some spots in Middle Tennessee have seen the wettest start to a year on record. Clarksville has recorded more than 30 inches of rain from Jan. 1 to April 20, marking the city's wettest start to a year and 8 inches higher than the second wettest start to a year on record. Montgomery County approves $500K in emergency funding for flood-damaged homes Records show the average rainfall from Jan. 1 to April 20 in Clarksville was approximately 14.31 inches. Meanwhile, Nashville is currently experiencing the 25th wettest start to a year. Music City has recorded more than 21 inches of rain so far his year — the average is 15.98 inches. Residents along Tennessee, Kentucky border still struggle with fallout from heavy rains However, not all of the region is seeing above-average rainfall. For example, Crossville recorded 16.76 inches of rain since the beginning of the year, and the average is 19.3 inches. Despite the below-average rainfall, there are no drought conditions in the area. ⏩ According to Tennessee State Climatologist Andrew Joyner, this time of year is when drought is least likely. Joyner said March, April, and May are the months when drought is rare, while October and November are when drought is most common in Tennessee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rainfall should bring considerable drought relief
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Since the beginning of summer 2024, News 2 meteorologists have been tracking drought conditions across parts of Middle Tennessee. With the recent rains, and more to come this weekend, the question is: will areas see improvement? Want the forecast delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for the News 2 Forecast Newsletter Thursday's data from the U.S. Drought Monitor does not show much of a change from last week. That's because it only took accounted for rainfall through 6 a.m. Tuesday when showers were just beginning. However, next week's Drought Monitor will include Tuesday's and Wednesday's rain, as well as the large amount of rain expected this weekend, when parts of the area could receive anywhere from two to five inches of rainfall. State Climatologist Dr. Andrew Joyner shared some thoughts about how he thinks the total rainfall might help out drought conditions. 'We've already received several inches of rain, especially south and east of Nashville,' Joyner said. 'Based on the QPF [Quantitative Precipitation Forecast], it looks like another maybe three-plus inches of rain to the north and west of Nashville. And then south and east, still looking at the one to two-inch range…I think we're looking at a much-improved drought situation.' Significant rainfall could help clear out drought conditions in Middle TN 'I'm thinking that many areas, especially to the south and east of Nashville, are going to see at least one category improvements next week, with a few that have seen probably three to four inches or more of rain maybe seeing two categories of improvement,' Joyner said. 'So, maybe going from Extreme Drought, D-3 to maybe D-1, Moderate Drought. So, we'll see if that happens.' The flip side is the potential for flooding of creeks and streams this weekend. A Flood Watch goes into effect at midnight Friday night and lasts through Sunday morning. Joyner has cautioned drivers about crossing roadways this weekend. Turn around, don't drown. Don't forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
