News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Drought conditions are spreading across the Upper Cumberland, with Van Buren, Warren and portions of White now classified as experiencing severe drought.
Nashville National Weather Service Meteorologist Ryan Husted said fall is the driest time of the year in the Upper Cumberland. Husted said it was unlucky that the Upper Cumberland did not receive much rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Francine.
“As we are moving into our driest time of year already in a drought that means the droughts are probably going to intensify,” Husted said. “We could have an active fire season, so that’s on our radar right now, as well as what we are talking about in the Upper Cumberland region.”
All of the region currently labeled as moderate drought. Rainfall amounts in the region are about 25 percent of normal levels. Husted said more places in the Upper Cumberland will likely experience a diminished water supply as the drought continues in the coming weeks.
“Water supply could be problematic depending on your community,” Husted said. “I know there are water restrictions out there around the Nashville area and across the state for watering your lawns. The streams and creeks are going to be lower than what you normally expect this time of year, it impacts your lake levels as well.”
Husted said rain depends on where low-pressure systems go. Husted said dry and hot weather is not a normal trend for the Upper Cumberland from June through August.
“Every year the storm systems lift north and come through here right,” Husted said. “Well, this year that really only happened in May.”
Husted said people should be very careful as the environment is very dry and a fire could escalate quickly if people are not careful.
