14-02-2025
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?
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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.
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