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Weather Update: Thursday – March 28, 2024

Weather Update: Thursday – March 28, 2024

Overnight: Clear, dry, cold. Lows: near 40. Winds: N @ 5 MPH.

Friday: Sunshine, dry, mild. Highs: low 70’s. Winds: S @ 5-10 MPH.

Overnight: More clouds. Dry. Lows: mid/high 40’s. Winds: S @ 5 MPH.

Saturday: Sunshine, warm, windy. Winds: SSW @ 5-15 MPH, gusts 20. Highs: mid 70’s.

Overnight: Mostly clear. Cool. Dry. Winds: SW @ 5-10 MPH. Lows: mid 50’s.

Sunday: Much warmer, dry, mostly sunny. Highs: near 80. Winds: SW @ 5-15, gusts 20.

Overnight: Increasing clouds. Lows: low 60’s. Winds: S @ 5-10 MPH.

The weather pattern for Easter Week will be mostly dry with just one day where wet conditions will be the dominant weather feature. That day will be on Tuesday, but we still have another day of dry weather today as a ridge of high pressure holds off an advancing Plains storm system. Both mid and high level clouds will keep continue to stream rapidly east ahead of that system keeping skies mostly cloudy throughout the day. However, the low level southeast flow will keep our afternoon high temperatures relatively close to the long term average maximum for late March as the mercury tops out in the middle 60’s. Those southeasterly winds will be quite strong today due to the strengthening gradient of pressure between our fair weather high pressure system and the deepening area of low pressure over the central Plains. Lows will be a few degrees warmer tonight and will end up in the middle 50’s by daybreak Tuesday as increasing moisture ahead of the strong storm system to the west and the healthy southeast flow limits cooling of the low level air mass.

Our weather will become quite active during the early morning hours on Tuesday, when the strong low pressure system shifts northeast toward the Upper Mississippi Valley. The pressure system will drag a cold front southeast toward the Mississippi River, but the main area of atmospheric lifting will occur out ahead of this front, along a boundary that we call a pre-frontal trough of low pressure, or squall line. An area of strong to severe thunderstorms will develop along this squall line during the day Monday and continue east across the Lower Mississippi Valley Monday night. Current model depictions indicate that the line of showers and thunderstorms will build east into the Chattanooga area between 4 am and 8 am EDT with departure around 11 am to 3 pm EDT. This line of thunderstorms will likely weaken to some degree as it moves into the Chattanooga area. However, there is so much wind energy that will be accompanying this squall line passage, it is possible that some of these storms could still be quite strong; perhaps generating convective gusts around 30 to 40 mph. Stay tuned to Chip Chapman and Austen Onek’s forecast today to see how this system is progressing. While we welcome the rainfall with this frontal system, the late night arrival of thunderstorms can be especially dangerous as most of us are fast asleep and therefore, we are less aware of the relative strength of the advancing line of storms

While there may be a break in the precipitation following the departure of the morning squall line, the actual low pressure system cold front will still be west of the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachian region, and this front could generate a few showers in our area Tuesday night. Because the frontal boundary will not arrive until Tuesday night, our Tuesday afternoon high temperatures could still be near typical, late March maximums, in the mid to upper 60’s.

An oddity with this week’s weather is that one would think that our high temperatures would be a few degrees cooler during the day Wednesday, behind our “cold front”. However, we may actually be several degrees warmer despite a northwesterly flow behind the front. Afternoon highs may top out in the lower 70’s on Wednesday with help from our ever strengthening early Spring sunshine. Eventually, a little cooler air will filter into the Chattanooga area on Thursday as a large surface high pressure system builds south out of the northern Plains into the southeastern United States. Thursday will still be a very pleasant day, with mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid 60’s which is just about normal for the last week of March.

The dry, north to northeasterly low level flow may continue into the first half of Easter weekend, keeping the News12 viewing area dry with a most pleasant warming trend that should end up with high temperatures in the lower 70’s on Friday, and middle 70’s on Saturday. While we certainly hope for a nice forecast on Easter Sunday, medium range computer models are indicating the approach of a cold front through the Ohio Valley. At this time, model solutions do not bring the front as far south as Chattanooga which would mean that we could see an increase in cloud cover, but we may be able to stay dry on Easter. This period of the forecast is still several days away, so there may be some changes, but at this time, it appears that precipitation with this frontal boundary may stay north of our area, and that would certainly be great news. If the front remains north of our area, high temperatures will be most pleasant on Easter. Current, numerical forecast guidance products indicate that we may warm into the upper 70’s on Sunday afternoon.

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The Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Outlook for Tuesday, April 2nd – Monday, April 8th, features near normal temperatures and above normal precipitation during this period.

Screenshot 2024 03 15 222701

National Drought Summary for March 22, 2024

Summary

Moderate to heavy rain amounts fell across parts of the Southeast and Northeast this week, leading to localized improvements to ongoing drought and abnormal dryness in the Southeast, and mostly unchanged conditions in the Northeast, aside from western New York, which missed out on the heavier precipitation and saw minor degradations. The central third of the contiguous U.S. saw a mix of improvements and degradations, based on where heavier precipitation did or did not fall and where dry and windy conditions continued. Parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, the Michigan Lower Peninsula, southern Missouri and southeast Kansas saw improving conditions after heavier rains fell there. Meanwhile, moderate drought expanded in northwest Missouri and portions of west-central Wisconsin, Minnesota, northwest Iowa, the far southern Michigan Upper Peninsula and far northeast Wisconsin. Much of Texas remained the same, with a few degradations in the southeast corner and several degradations in central and southern Texas where long-term drought conditions are still causing impacts. Recent dryness and warm and windy weather in northwest Oklahoma and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles led to abnormal dryness developing there. Short-term dryness and high evaporative demand led to large areas of degrading conditions in northeast Wyoming, while west-central Wyoming, north-central Colorado, northeast Utah, western Montana, and the northern Idaho Panhandle all saw areas of improvement due to lower evaporative demand and improving snowpack recently. In Hawaii, an active trade wind pattern continued, leading to some improvements on the windward (northeast) slopes of the Big Island and Kauai, while a small area of moderate drought developed on the leeward (southwest) portion of Kauai. In Puerto Rico, a few improvements were made where recent rainfall has improved streamflows and crop stress, and lessened rainfall deficits and raised reservoir levels. No changes were made to the Drought Monitor this week in Alaska.

– NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu


Screenshot 2024 01 02 182324

Got #weatherpix to share for our @WestShoreHome #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay? E-mail them to [email protected].

Make sure you & your family stay in touch with us. Remember the Storm Team 12 app can always bring you the latest weather alerts for your location as well as Titan Radar. Download it for free from your app store – just search WDEF Weather”.

Screenshot 2023 12 13 234441

The best time to prepare for severe weather is when nothing weather-wise is going on.  Learn more about programming your weather alert radio with WDEF-TV News 12.


Screenshot 2024 03 06 191217

We’re looking for weather observers! Plus, signing up for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) during the month of March goes towards a good cause! Each March, CoCoRaHS has a competition to see which state can recruit the most new observers. This year, the competition is known as Precipitation Absurdity. But you know what’s really absurd? TN has NEVER won! Let’s change that. ” – NWS Morristown

https://cocorahs.org/?fbclid=IwAR3c7d4L1DGyCog-sOySVEda_624_55EYE51amJtv-_qqNzOvGrF_ZiLxGc


Screenshot 2024 01 26 213410

IF YOU’D LIKE A WDEF NEWS 12 METEOROLOGIST TO VISIT WITH YOUR SCHOOL, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW.


Screenshot 2024 03 04 190710

NWS Nashville debuting the latest topics for their #Weather101 #weathereducation program in March 2024. “Weather101 is a series of FREE interactive online classes to help the public learn about meteorology, forecasting and the National Weather Service in general. These classes will explore the concepts formally found in what was our Advanced SKYWARN spotter classes, plus MORE!”

https://www.weather.gov/ohx/weather101
Categories: Featured, Local News, Weather Update
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Chattanooga firefighters rescue woman, dog from house fire

Chattanooga firefighters rescue woman, dog from house fire

N Moore Road fire damage. Chattanooga Fire Dept. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga firefighters rescued a woman who was trapped in a house fire on North Moore Road on Thursday. The fire department said the woman received life-threatening injuries. Hamilton County 911 received a call about the fire just after noon. Someone was cutting grass… ... Continue Reading
Man arrested for motorcycle pursuit after posting video to Instagram

Man arrested for motorcycle pursuit after posting video to Instagram

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man for fleeing from police on a motorcycle on Sunday.

The HCSO said a deputy was trying to make a lawful stop of the motorcyclist on Highway 27, but the man fled.

Carter Costo

The sheriff’s office said they identified the suspect because he posted a video of him evading the deputy on his Instagram. He posted numerous videos of him driving reckless, “including lane splitting at speeds of over 170 mph through parts of Hamilton County,” HCSO said.

Deputies located and arrested the suspect On March 27 at 6 p.m.

HCSO identified the suspect as 21-year-old Carter H. Costo. Deputies took him into custody at a business on Signal Mountain Road.

Costo faces the following charges.

  • Reckless driving (x4)
  • Drag racing
  • Evading arrest
  • Registration violation
Categories: Hamilton County, Local News
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Chattanooga man sentenced to prison for fentanyl-related overdose

Chattanooga man sentenced to prison for fentanyl-related overdose

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Wednesday for his involvement in a fentanyl-related death.

Jonathan Bash

U.S. District Court Judge Curtis L. Collier sentenced 25-year-old Jonathan Bash to 252 months in prison. After his sentence has ended, Bash will be on supervised release for five years.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Bash distributed para-fluorofentanyl to Charlotte Gallant, resulting in her overdose death. Para-fluorofentanyl is a fentanyl analog, meaning it has a similar chemical structure to fentanyl. It is, however, more potent than fentanyl.

Gallant was only 19 at the time of her death.

The DOJ said Bash pled guilty in court to distributing the substance to a young man. That young man then shared the substance with his girlfriend, Charlotte Gallant.

Court documents indicate that Bash told the couple that the drug was ketamine. Both Gallant and her boyfriend overdosed on the para-fluorofentanyl, the DOJ said.

However, the young man survived the overdose. He did suffer from serious bodily injuries, though.

“This is a tragic case. Using any kind of narcotic acquired on the streets or even from a friend, regardless of how the drug appears to be marketed, can unknowingly lead to the use of fentanyl, and the effects can be lethal,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton, III. “Our office will continue to prosecute these cases to bring justice to the community and the families of the victims, including Ms. Gallant and her family.”

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and the Chattanooga Polic Department aided in the investigation.

 

Categories: Chattanooga, Crime, Local News
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Nightfall lineup, several new features announced

Nightfall lineup, several new features announced

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Nightfall organizers have released their lineup for the 2024 summer festival. Plus, there are a lot of new features coming to the event this year. On its 37th season, Nightfall says it is the longest-running outdoor summer concert series in Chattanooga. Nightfall takes place every Friday during the series. It will… ... Continue Reading
We now have dates for beer and motorcar festivals

We now have dates for beer and motorcar festivals

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Organizers have announced dates for two returning festivals to the Chattanooga area in 2024. The Chattanooga Beer Festival will be on Saturday, May 25th at the First Horizon Pavilion. Craft beer makers will offer samples to the public. The festival will highlight local breweries, but also some from around the region. This… ... Continue Reading

Police investigate deadly Vine Street shooting

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police are investigating a deadly shooting downtown on Tuesday morning.

It happened just before 6 a.m. at a house on Vine Street.

Investigators say that a 56-year-old man was shot inside the residence and the suspect fled.

The victim died later at the hospital.

If you have any information on the shooting, please call the Homicide Tip Line at 423-643-5100.

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Patten Towers murder suspect makes brief court appearance

Patten Towers murder suspect makes brief court appearance

Wrightpic 004

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The suspect charged with the murder of a Baylor alum was back in court Thursday morning. 

Darryl Roberts has been indicted on first-degree murder among other charges in the September shooting death of Christopher Wright.

The incident occurred outside of Patten Towers after an argument that was shown on surveillance cameras in Roberts’ preliminary hearing.

The hearing was brief, as the case was adjudicated until May with no other actions taken.

Roberts has pleaded not guilty and is still in custody at the Hamilton County Jail on a $5 million bond. 

Categories: Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News
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Multi-Vehicle crash results in I-24 slow down

Multi-Vehicle crash results in I-24 slow down

Courtesy: X @ChattFireDept CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tuesday night, a multi-vehicle crash on I-24 Westbound resulted in all lanes being blocked. According to the Chattanooga Fire Department on X, two cars crashed into each other at 9:23 p.m., with two people entrapped. The Chattanooga Fire Department was able to free the people and they were… ... Continue Reading

Sheriff Lawson released from hospital after his weekend wreck

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson has moved his recovery to his home following a weekend wreck.

The sheriff was released from the hospital on Wednesday.

He stopped by the sheriff’s office for a visit on his way home to reassure employees that he was still on the job.

Sheriff Lawson will split time between the office and his home during his recovery.

The sheriff and his wife were hit from behind after leaving church on Sunday.

 

Categories: Bradley County, Local News
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Chattanooga Police renovates RTIC surveillance center

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Police RTIC division unveils their updated and remodeled surveillance center. “What we do is we assist the entire department in reduction of violence, crime, violent crime. That is our overall focus,” said Sergeant Billy Atwell, RTIC Supervisor. “We also assist the entire department on anything and everything that is happening,… ... Continue Reading

Teen takes on ‘Rock the Riverfront’ Wednesday with her fiddle

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Rock the Riverfront is still going on at the Chattanooga Riverfront, featuring different performers each week. On Wednesday, March 27, Abigail Snell took on the Riverfront with her fiddle. She performed from 4 to 6 p.m. on the Chattanooga Green. River City Company said Snell is “one of the youngest SoundCorps Sidewalk… ... Continue Reading
Frequent user of Heritage Park concerned about increased flooding

Frequent user of Heritage Park concerned about increased flooding

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Frequent flooding is disrupting life in one Chattanooga park.

One citizen, Henri Tenthorey, says that the flooding at Jack Benson Heritage Park in East Brainerd is completely preventable.

Tenthorey said, “Everybody wants to be able to come to the park and enjoy it.”

Img 0774

Henri Tenthorey and his dog Jacks have made the park a part of their daily routine for over five years.

However, they’ve noticed an increasing flooding problem.

Tenthorey said, “Sometimes, half of the small dog park is completely flooded, and people can’t even use the park because of that, and the trail that wraps around the backside of the dog park is also flooded can’t walk through there, or use the soccer field.”

Tenthorey says that the issue starts here at a nearby holding pond, adjacent to some new construction.

He says the water gets sucked up out of hhe pond and then as it gets released, it causes flooding down here in lower elevations of the park.

Tenthorey said, “One of the biggest problems is that people don’t want their dog drinking water that’s come from an unknown source.”

He also cites concerns to a meadow of native vegetation that according to signs posted inside the park, are in the process of being restored.

Tenthorey said, “I spoke with one of the personnel that works for the city, and she’s in charge of some of the water resources, and she came out and was upset that this native species field is being induated with flood water.”

We did reach out to the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors, who tell News 12 they are aware of the flooding, and they agree it is being caused by the nearby construction.

The neighborhood next door is Heritage Walk, which is designed to be integrated into the park according to developer Green Tech Homes.

According to their plans, they are currently constructing phase two of that neighborhood.

Tenthorey hopes there is a solution to the flooding soon.

He said, “Since the city approved the holding pond in the first place, they should know where that water goes.”

Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors says they have informed the city’s Code Enforcement of the situation.

We have not heard back from them on the status of the investigation nor the company undertaking the construction at Heritage Walk.

Categories: Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News
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Suspect in Brainerd T-Mobile shooting makes first court appearance

Suspect in Brainerd T-Mobile shooting makes first court appearance

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The suspect in a shooting outside of a T-Mobile store in Brainerd last week made his initial appearance in court Wednesday morning. 

Corterius Bowling

Corterius Bowling is charged with attempted first-degree murder among other charges in the shooting of a 17-year-old in broad daylight on March 19.

Bowling has met a $250,000 bond, which confused Hamilton County Judge Lila Statom on his need for a public defender.

Statom asked, “Why does he have the public defender, and he made a $250,000 bond?”

An attorney said, “I can’t speak to that.”

Statom responded, “He needs to fill out paperwork in order to qualify. Obviously, somebody made a chunk of money and that would seem he is not indigent.”

 Bowling was put on a non-contact order with the victim and required to find a new attorney before his next hearing in June.

Categories: Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News
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Police arrest two suspects for drive by shooting in Dalton

Police arrest two suspects for drive by shooting in Dalton

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) – Police have charged two men with a drive by shooting two months ago in Dalton.

Joshua Edwards

36-year-old Joshua Lee Edwards faces charges of aggravated assault, while 40-year-old Gordon Ray Austin was charged with being party to a crime and a probation violation.

The charges date back to a shooting on a Sunday afternoon on January 28 at the intersection of Hamilton and Tyler Streets.

Two men said they were walking on the sidewalk, when shots were fired from a passing pickup truck.

Gordon Austin

One of the men was hit by a ricochet, but not seriously injured.

Police investigators determined the truck was driven by Edwards and he yelled something at the victims.

The pickup then returned with Austin driving and Edwards on the passenger side.

They say Edwards fired at least five shots.

But the investigators believe the shooting was random and they didn’t know the victims beforehand.

 

 

Categories: Dalton, Featured, Local News
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TDOT: Highway 27 landscaping project to begin this spring

TDOT: Highway 27 landscaping project to begin this spring

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced an upcoming landscaping project along U.S. Highway 27 in Hamilton County.

TDOT awarded the project to Stansell Electric Company, Inc. of Knoxville for more than $3 million.

This project will extend from 6th Street to Riverfront Parkway on Highway 27.

The contractor will plant trees, shrubs, prairie grasses, wildflowers and other ground cover crops.

Additionally, they will install an irrigation system.

Us27 Landscaping Project V2 01

Construction will begin in the spring of 2024. TDOT expects construction to be completed in December 2025.

“This landscaping project is the first of its kind, and we’re delighted it’s been let to construction,” Assistant Chief Engineer/Region 2 Director Daniel Oliver said. “Our partnership with the Tennessee Interstate Conservancy has played a critical role in the advancement of this project,” he continued. “Upon completion, the project will beautify an important corridor in the Chattanooga area and enhance the natural scenic beauty of the Tennessee landscape.”

TDOT said construction crews will make every effort to minimize an impact on drivers.

Categories: Environment, Featured, Local News
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Volkswagen of America announces electric sedan for U.S. market

Volkswagen of America announces electric sedan for U.S. market

RESTON, Va. (WDEF) – Volkswagen of America announces the two trim lines they will be selling later this year of their new electric sedan. The ID.7 is a near-luxury vehicle, aiming to compete with Tesla. But you can also think of it as the new, electric Passat (the company discontinued the line of family cars… ... Continue Reading
Weather Update: Wednesday – March 27, 2024

Weather Update: Wednesday – March 27, 2024

Overnight: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Cool. Lows: upper 40’s. Winds: SE 5-10 mph, becoming NW around 5 mph toward daybreak.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny and warmer. Highs: lower 70’s. Winds: NW 10-15 mph.

Overnight: Mostly clear. Cool. Lows: mid 40’s. Winds: N 10-15 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, mild. Breezy. Highs: mid 60’s. Winds: N @ 10-15 MPH, gusts 20 MPH.

The weather pattern for Easter Week will be mostly dry with just one day where wet conditions will be the dominant weather feature. That day will be on Tuesday, but we still have another day of dry weather today as a ridge of high pressure holds off an advancing Plains storm system. Both mid and high level clouds will keep continue to stream rapidly east ahead of that system keeping skies mostly cloudy throughout the day. However, the low level southeast flow will keep our afternoon high temperatures relatively close to the long term average maximum for late March as the mercury tops out in the middle 60’s. Those southeasterly winds will be quite strong today due to the strengthening gradient of pressure between our fair weather high pressure system and the deepening area of low pressure over the central Plains. Lows will be a few degrees warmer tonight and will end up in the middle 50’s by daybreak Tuesday as increasing moisture ahead of the strong storm system to the west and the healthy southeast flow limits cooling of the low level air mass.

Our weather will become quite active during the early morning hours on Tuesday, when the strong low pressure system shifts northeast toward the Upper Mississippi Valley. The pressure system will drag a cold front southeast toward the Mississippi River, but the main area of atmospheric lifting will occur out ahead of this front, along a boundary that we call a pre-frontal trough of low pressure, or squall line. An area of strong to severe thunderstorms will develop along this squall line during the day Monday and continue east across the Lower Mississippi Valley Monday night. Current model depictions indicate that the line of showers and thunderstorms will build east into the Chattanooga area between 4 am and 8 am EDT with departure around 11 am to 3 pm EDT. This line of thunderstorms will likely weaken to some degree as it moves into the Chattanooga area. However, there is so much wind energy that will be accompanying this squall line passage, it is possible that some of these storms could still be quite strong; perhaps generating convective gusts around 30 to 40 mph. Stay tuned to Chip Chapman and Austen Onek’s forecast today to see how this system is progressing. While we welcome the rainfall with this frontal system, the late night arrival of thunderstorms can be especially dangerous as most of us are fast asleep and therefore, we are less aware of the relative strength of the advancing line of storms

While there may be a break in the precipitation following the departure of the morning squall line, the actual low pressure system cold front will still be west of the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachian region, and this front could generate a few showers in our area Tuesday night. Because the frontal boundary will not arrive until Tuesday night, our Tuesday afternoon high temperatures could still be near typical, late March maximums, in the mid to upper 60’s.

An oddity with this week’s weather is that one would think that our high temperatures would be a few degrees cooler during the day Wednesday, behind our “cold front”. However, we may actually be several degrees warmer despite a northwesterly flow behind the front. Afternoon highs may top out in the lower 70’s on Wednesday with help from our ever strengthening early Spring sunshine. Eventually, a little cooler air will filter into the Chattanooga area on Thursday as a large surface high pressure system builds south out of the northern Plains into the southeastern United States. Thursday will still be a very pleasant day, with mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid 60’s which is just about normal for the last week of March.

The dry, north to northeasterly low level flow may continue into the first half of Easter weekend, keeping the News12 viewing area dry with a most pleasant warming trend that should end up with high temperatures in the lower 70’s on Friday, and middle 70’s on Saturday. While we certainly hope for a nice forecast on Easter Sunday, medium range computer models are indicating the approach of a cold front through the Ohio Valley. At this time, model solutions do not bring the front as far south as Chattanooga which would mean that we could see an increase in cloud cover, but we may be able to stay dry on Easter. This period of the forecast is still several days away, so there may be some changes, but at this time, it appears that precipitation with this frontal boundary may stay north of our area, and that would certainly be great news. If the front remains north of our area, high temperatures will be most pleasant on Easter. Current, numerical forecast guidance products indicate that we may warm into the upper 70’s on Sunday afternoon.

Slot0
Slot1
The Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Outlook for Tuesday, April 2nd – Monday, April 8th, features near normal temperatures and above normal precipitation during this period.

Screenshot 2024 03 15 222701

National Drought Summary for March 22, 2024

Summary

Moderate to heavy rain amounts fell across parts of the Southeast and Northeast this week, leading to localized improvements to ongoing drought and abnormal dryness in the Southeast, and mostly unchanged conditions in the Northeast, aside from western New York, which missed out on the heavier precipitation and saw minor degradations. The central third of the contiguous U.S. saw a mix of improvements and degradations, based on where heavier precipitation did or did not fall and where dry and windy conditions continued. Parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, the Michigan Lower Peninsula, southern Missouri and southeast Kansas saw improving conditions after heavier rains fell there. Meanwhile, moderate drought expanded in northwest Missouri and portions of west-central Wisconsin, Minnesota, northwest Iowa, the far southern Michigan Upper Peninsula and far northeast Wisconsin. Much of Texas remained the same, with a few degradations in the southeast corner and several degradations in central and southern Texas where long-term drought conditions are still causing impacts. Recent dryness and warm and windy weather in northwest Oklahoma and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles led to abnormal dryness developing there. Short-term dryness and high evaporative demand led to large areas of degrading conditions in northeast Wyoming, while west-central Wyoming, north-central Colorado, northeast Utah, western Montana, and the northern Idaho Panhandle all saw areas of improvement due to lower evaporative demand and improving snowpack recently. In Hawaii, an active trade wind pattern continued, leading to some improvements on the windward (northeast) slopes of the Big Island and Kauai, while a small area of moderate drought developed on the leeward (southwest) portion of Kauai. In Puerto Rico, a few improvements were made where recent rainfall has improved streamflows and crop stress, and lessened rainfall deficits and raised reservoir levels. No changes were made to the Drought Monitor this week in Alaska.

– NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu


Screenshot 2024 01 02 182324

Got #weatherpix to share for our @WestShoreHome #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay? E-mail them to [email protected].

Make sure you & your family stay in touch with us. Remember the Storm Team 12 app can always bring you the latest weather alerts for your location as well as Titan Radar. Download it for free from your app store – just search WDEF Weather”.

Screenshot 2023 12 13 234441

The best time to prepare for severe weather is when nothing weather-wise is going on.  Learn more about programming your weather alert radio with WDEF-TV News 12.


Screenshot 2024 03 06 191217

We’re looking for weather observers! Plus, signing up for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) during the month of March goes towards a good cause! Each March, CoCoRaHS has a competition to see which state can recruit the most new observers. This year, the competition is known as Precipitation Absurdity. But you know what’s really absurd? TN has NEVER won! Let’s change that. ” – NWS Morristown

https://cocorahs.org/?fbclid=IwAR3c7d4L1DGyCog-sOySVEda_624_55EYE51amJtv-_qqNzOvGrF_ZiLxGc


Screenshot 2024 01 26 213410

IF YOU’D LIKE A WDEF NEWS 12 METEOROLOGIST TO VISIT WITH YOUR SCHOOL, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW.


Screenshot 2024 03 04 190710

NWS Nashville debuting the latest topics for their #Weather101 #weathereducation program in March 2024. “Weather101 is a series of FREE interactive online classes to help the public learn about meteorology, forecasting and the National Weather Service in general. These classes will explore the concepts formally found in what was our Advanced SKYWARN spotter classes, plus MORE!”

https://www.weather.gov/ohx/weather101
Categories: Featured, Local News, Weather Update
... Continue Reading
UTC students upset over lack of housing

UTC students upset over lack of housing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On-campus housing is a big part of the college experience. 

However, a large number of University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (UTC) students may not be able to do so next year.

4,700 of a likely student population over 11,000 have applied for student housing next year.

Img 6118

However, as UTC has acknowledged, there are only 3,600 beds on campus, leaving many wondering, where are they going to live, and are they going to be able to continue their education?

One student, Georgia Wolf, said, “I can really see the impact it has on my roommates. Like one of them was crying and in tears all week because she’s so stressed and has no clue what to do.”

She says the impact of the impending housing shortage is leaving many fellow students on edge.

Some have taken to social media to vent about the situation.

Wolf said, “Someone posted, “Like we should have a protest as a joke.” But then people were saying, “We need to pick a time, place, all that stuff.” They are willing to do it, they are angry about it.”

She is blaming a rapid increase in the number of students coming to campus, citing an above 80% acceptance rate and the policy of requiring incoming freshmen to live on campus.

UTC says that freshmen requirement, “underscores our commitment to fostering an immersive and supportive campus environment for our newest members.”

Wolf said, “I have one roommate that lives two hours away, and another that lives in Memphis, and they are really scared, freaked out, that they will not be able to find housing next year and one of them is supposed to graduate this upcoming fall and if she can’t go here, or live here, then she can’t graduate.”

UTC in their statement said quote, “We understand that this has left many of our students, and their families, managing feelings of uncertainty and dissatisfaction. Our goal is to support all of our students and provide the resources necessary to address their housing needs.”

Wolf wants to see more from the administration.

She said, “Put out some potential solutions to this issue like talking to the admissions office, making it harder to get in. Maybe having a set plan to build more dorms.”

UTC went on to say:

“The Department of Housing and Residence Life will assign students on the waitlist by application completion date as space becomes available beginning April 10, 2024 and will continue to confirm housing assignments as cancellations are received. Your patience during this process is greatly appreciated.

Please find information below regarding UTC’s support for students living off-campus:

UTC began the Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS) program in Summer 2023. This program is housed in the Office of Student Outreach and Support (SOS), providing resources and support for students interested in or currently living off-campus.

-OCSS will host its second Off-Campus Housing fair of the 2023-2024 academic year on April 3, 2024, from 11am-1pm in Heritage Plaza (between the University Center and Lupton Hall).

-OCSS has staff and resources available to assist students with their off-campus housing needs. For more information, visit https://www.utc.edu/offcampus or email [email protected].”

Categories: Chattanooga, College, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News
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Golden Apple Award: Battlefield Primary, Staci Wilson

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Staci Wilson is a second-grade teacher at Battlefield Primary School. She goes above and beyond, teaching her kids to love learning.

She cares, and the kids know it. That’s why she’s this week’s Golden Apple Award winner.

“Well, Mrs. Wilson is a fantastic teacher. When I think about Ms. Wilson, I think about her strengths with student relationships and how she put her kiddos first, always. She does great with parents,” said Battlefield Primary Principal Julie Robbins.

“All parents love Mrs. Wilson. She’s great at communicating. This is her first year actually teaching second grade. She was a first-grade teacher. She’s been a preschool teacher. She’s just been a great asset to Battlefield Primary School, and we’re super lucky to have her,” she continued.

“I’m Staci Wilson, and I teach second grade at Battlefield Primary. I’m married. I have two kids. Married to Luke, my husband. We live out on a farm,” said teacher Staci Wilson. “This is my third-year teaching. I stayed home and raised my kids, and I ran a preschool from my house… raised everybody else’s kids. And then I got my teaching degree about three years ago. I just love connecting with the kids, figuring out what they don’t know and filling in all those gaps. And just being able to build onto that with the things they need to know to go to the next grade. Kids thrive with structure, accountability, boundaries, all of those things.”

Students say Mrs. Wilson is really nice and makes the environment fun.

“I feel like teaching is so much more than just the academic part of it. Just life skills, how to get along with others, working things out, that kind of thing. The nurturing, loving part. Kids need hugs. They do. They have to feel like they’re loved before they can learn. And I love to love kids,” Wilson added.

When asked who inspired her to become a teacher, Wilson said her dad.

“He was a college professor when I was growing up, so definitely my dad,” Wilson explained. “Lots of educators in my family.”

She says she wants kids to remember this about her: “Miss Wilson loved me. She loved me when I was mean. She loved me when I was sweet. She loved me all the time.”

 

Categories: Golden Apple Award, Golden Apple Award 2023-2024, Local News
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