Thunderstorms Bring 40 MPH Wind Gusts to Chattanooga Area
Strong thunderstorms with 40 mph wind gusts swept through the Chattanooga region Friday, threatening multiple communities with falling tree limbs and flying debris.
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE — Strong thunderstorms moved across the greater Chattanooga region Friday afternoon, prompting the National Weather Service to issue special weather statements warning of wind gusts up to 40 mph capable of downing tree limbs and scattering unsecured objects.
The first storm system passed through Dunlap at 12:52 p.m. EDT, traveling east at 25 mph, according to Doppler radar data from the National Weather Service office in Morristown. A second cluster of storms was detected over Soddy-Daisy at 1:32 p.m. EDT, located approximately 13 miles north of Chattanooga and moving east at 30 mph.
Multiple Communities in Storm Path
The weather service identified several communities in the path of the storm systems. The earlier thunderstorm near Dunlap affected Chattanooga, Soddy-Daisy, Signal Mountain, Walden, Fairmount, Red Bank, Cartwright, Flat Top Mountain, and North Chickamauga Creek Gorge.
The later storm cluster over Soddy-Daisy threatened Chattanooga, Cleveland, Benton, Soddy-Daisy, Walden, Lakesite, Charleston, South Cleveland, Harrison, and East Cleveland as it continued its eastward movement.
Wind Hazards and Safety Concerns
Meteorologists warned that the radar-indicated wind gusts could reach 40 mph in both storm systems. The National Weather Service cautioned that these gusty winds posed risks to tree limbs and any unsecured outdoor objects.
Both special weather statements highlighted the potential for property damage from falling branches and debris blown by the strong winds accompanying the thunderstorms.
Storm Tracking and Timing
The storm activity developed during the early afternoon hours on Friday, with the weather service tracking the systems using Doppler radar technology. The first statement was issued at 12:52 p.m. EDT for the Dunlap area storm, followed by a second alert at 1:32 p.m. EDT for the Soddy-Daisy cluster.
The eastward movement of both systems at speeds between 25 and 30 mph allowed forecasters to predict which communities would experience the severe weather conditions as the storms progressed through the region.
Residents in the affected areas were advised to secure loose outdoor items and remain aware of the potential for falling tree limbs during the passage of the storm systems.
