NWS: Wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour possible with incoming weather patterns

A string of school systems canceled classes for Friday as the National Weather Service issued warnings about potentially hazardous weather for the next 36 hours.

A report issued by the agency Thursday afternoon said high winds would precede a storm system that could contain heavy rains on Friday morning.

Widespread damaging wind gusts will impact the area Friday ahead of a line of showers and storms. 50-60 mph gusts are probable across the valley. with higher gusts of 70-80 across the higher elevations. Due to the recent rainfall, many down trees and powerlines are expected. pic.twitter.com/KtWCGbIHta

— NWS Morristown (@NWSMorristown) March 2, 2023

“Due to the recent rainfall, many down trees and powerlines are expected,” the statement said.

A high wind warning blanketed most Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia counties with an expiration set for 1 a.m. Saturday morning.

NWS forecast models also said an isolated tornado could not be ruled out on Friday.

(GRAPHIC: Courtesy of Ujulala and Pixabay)