Strong Wind — Knox, Tennessee

2024-12-29 · Knox, Tennessee

Event narrative

For a several hour period, Knoxville McGhee Tyson ASOS recorded wind gusts above 40 mph. The peak wind gust was recorded at 51 mph at 12:49 PM. These winds, combined with saturated soils, led to multiple reports of tree damage across both Blount and Knox counties, with trees falling on powerlines, blocking roads, and a couple onto cars. Neighboring counties also reported strong gusts, with several 40 to 45 mph gusts recorded in Knox County, and a pair of 40 to 45 mph gusts in neighboring Sevier County. Additionally, the AWOS in Oneida recorded a 51 mph gust at 12:15 PM and the TRI ASOS recorded a 51 mph gust at 4:10 PM.

Wider weather episode

A negatively tilted upper trough combined with a low pressure system undergoing an occlusion resulted in very strong winds crossing the East Tennessee mountains and producing high winds in the mountains and foothills and strong gusty winds across portions of the Tennessee Valley.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1227815. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.