Spring Dreaming as Titan Roars Through Tennessee

March has roared into East Tennessee and residents across the State are feeling the force of a winter that simply won’t let go. As of Monday morning, March 3, 2014, Tennessee was under a State of Emergency, as the fifth winter storm of the 2013-2014 season barreled across the State. Governor Haslam closed State Government offices across Tennessee on Monday, in response to Winter Storm Titan. Essential employees and offices continued working but the majority of State employees were not in the office on Monday. Falling temperature and precipitation created a dicey situation for travelers, as Middle and West Tennessee saw multiple power outages and impassable road conditions. Jefferson County Schools joined a host of schools and systems that were out on Monday in anticipation of rapidly falling temperatures and their impact on wet streets, as well as forecasted ice and snow. As the noon hour approached in Jefferson County, local temperatures hovered in the low to mid thirties and a wintry mix was noted in the area. Meteorologist Sam Roberts of the National Weather Service in Morristown advised continued vigilance due to wrap around moisture that was expected to follow the cold front. Roberts stated that freezing rain is still a possibility and it is expected to change to sleet and then light snow. Precipitation will likely end in the early evening hours, leaving some areas with a dusting, according to the Meteorologist. Fortunately, in true East Tennessee fashion, temperatures in the region have been well above freezing for several days, slowing the freezing process on area roads. Temperatures are forecasted to rebound by mid week, as Titan moves out of the area, bring more ever changing weather conditions to East Tennessee.