NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Earlier this year parts of Tennessee saw rain and wind from Hurricane Beryl and now Francine is forecasted to move directly over the Volunteer State. Is it normal for Tennessee to see multiple tropical systems in one season?
Nashville Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Husted said Tennessee typically sees one tropical system a year. He said they usually make landfall as a hurricane or tropical storm along the Gulf Coast then weaken into a tropical depression before moving over Tennessee.
The remnants of eight tropical systems have impacted Tennessee over the last 10 years, not including Francine. Husted said the strongest of those storms was Harvey in 2017.
"Then of course with Harvey we also had tornadoes. I think I saw we had four tornadoes. Harvey was very impactful for Middle Tennessee. There are plenty of systems that don't have much of an impact," said Husted.
Since Hurricane Harvey, a few more storms have brought similar impacts to Middle Tennessee.
"Ida in 2021 produced no tornadoes, but we did have some isolated heavy rain and flash flooding. Laura in 2020 we had two EF-0 tornadoes and some wind damage from storms that formed in association with the system but no flash flooding," he said.
Husted said it is too early to determine if Francine will bring a similar tornado threat as Harvey or Laura, but it is something he is keeping a close eye on.
"We're not terribly concerned with flooding at this time, but we are monitoring that. In terms of tornadoes, it's a little too early but we have a marginal risk for severe weather south of Interstate 40," said Husted.
He said the rain will be heavy and could lead to minor flooding, but he thinks the rain will be a good thing for the drought.
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