If you're planning to visit Nashville this weekend, you need to know about a serious winter storm heading our way. Fox Nashville meteorologists are calling this a “code red weather alert,” and they're not messing around.
When Will the Storm Hit?
Thursday is going to be calm and quiet. That's your window to get anything you need — groceries, supplies, whatever. Friday stays dry for most of the day too.
But late Friday evening? That's when things start to change. The storm kicks in early Saturday morning around 3 a.m. near the Tennessee River and spreads across Middle Tennessee by 7 a.m.
What Kind of Weather Are We Talking About?
This isn't just a little snow flurry. We're looking at a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain depending on where you are in the area.
If you're staying north of Interstate 40, you could see 6 inches or more of snow. South of I-40? You've got a higher chance of dealing with ice — the sleet and freezing rain kind that makes everything slippery and dangerous.
Saturday is the big day for this mess. The snow falls throughout the morning and into the afternoon. By Saturday evening and night, areas closer to I-40 could see more of that ice mixing in with the snow.
Sunday brings another round of cold air that should switch most of the precipitation back to snow across the board.
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Read more →How Cold Will It Get?
Really, really cold. We're talking dangerously cold.
Saturday's high will only hit 25 degrees. Sunday? 26 degrees.
But Monday night is where it gets scary. Temperatures in Nashville could drop to just 1 degree. Some areas of Middle Tennessee might see temps as low as -10 degrees. That's not a typo.
We might not get above freezing until Tuesday or Wednesday, which means whatever snow and ice falls this weekend could stick around for days.
What Does This Mean for Your Nashville Trip?
According to Fox Nashville, this storm has the potential to cause “pretty big travel issues” starting late Friday and getting worse Saturday through Monday — maybe even into Tuesday.
If you're flying in or out of Nashville International Airport this weekend, check your flight status obsessively. If you're driving into town, you might want to reconsider your timing.
Already here? Think hard about whether you really need to be out on the roads Saturday through Monday. Broadway will still be there when the ice melts.
Thursday Is Your Prep Day
The meteorologists are being very clear about this: Thursday is your day to get ready. Stock up on anything you need because once this storm hits Saturday morning, you're not going to want to be out driving around.
The Ice Factor
Here's the thing that makes this storm trickier than just snow: the ice.
The latest weather models shifted the ice line further north, meaning more areas closer to I-40 could see sleet and freezing rain instead of just snow. Ice is worse than snow because it makes roads completely impassable and can knock out power lines.
Southern counties near the Tennessee-Alabama line have the highest risk for ice accumulation, which could mean lower snow totals but more dangerous conditions overall.
Monday and Tuesday Could Be Rough Too
Even after the snow and ice stop falling Sunday, we're not out of the woods. Those extreme cold temperatures Monday and Tuesday mean nothing is going to melt.
Schools might be closed. Roads might still be icy. Your outdoor Broadway plans? Probably not happening.
What Should Visitors Do?
Be flexible. If you can change your travel dates, seriously think about it. If you're already here or can't change plans, prepare to spend more time indoors than you planned.
Check with your hotel about their plans for the storm. Make sure your phone is charged. Download offline maps of Nashville in case cell service gets spotty.
And if local authorities say don't travel, don't travel. No honky-tonk is worth getting stuck on an icy highway at -10 degrees.
The Bottom Line
This is shaping up to be a real winter storm, not just a Nashville snow day where everything melts by noon. Plan accordingly, stay safe, and remember — Music City will still be here when the weather clears up.
Weather information credit: Fox Nashville
