Clear skies and a mild 50°F at Nashville International Airport this morning are the opening act for an unusually warm February day, with afternoon highs expected to top out near 61°F. Southwest winds will crank up through the day, and scattered rain showers are expected to pop up after about 5 p.m., becoming more steady as the night goes on. The timing lines up for a soggy evening commute, with periods of reduced visibility as showers spread across the area.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Southerly to southwesterly winds should run about 5 to 15 mph this afternoon, with gusts climbing into the mid-20s. That is enough to shove around unsecured patio furniture and make a bike ride home feel like a workout upgrade. The strongest gusts are expected from late afternoon into early evening, so plan outdoor errands with that in mind. Once the front moves through late tonight into Thursday morning, winds should ease up.
Tonight: Showers And A Few Thunderstorms
Rain showers are expected to develop this evening and grow more widespread overnight. Forecasters are putting the chance of rain tonight near 90%, with most spots picking up around a quarter to a half-inch. Some areas east of the city could see heavier pockets topping an inch, according to the National Weather Service. The discussion notes enough instability aloft for a few rumbles of thunder, but a broad severe-weather outbreak is not expected. If you have evening plans, grab a waterproof layer and leave a little extra time to get where you are going.
Travel And Flight Impacts
Overnight, low-level wind shear and lowering cloud ceilings could slow flight operations and briefly reduce visibility at local airports, so it is worth checking airline alerts if you are traveling late. On the roads, heavier showers may leave standing water and slick spots on bridges and overpasses. Drivers should ease off the gas, give themselves more following distance, and watch for ponding. If you usually bike home, tonight might be the night to opt for transit instead.
Weekend Outlook
The front is expected to move east with rain tapering off by Thursday evening, setting up a mild stretch to close out the week. Highs should reach the mid-60s on Friday and push into the low 70s by Saturday in many neighborhoods. Saturday looks sunny, with only spotty rain chances returning late Sunday into early next week as another weak system approaches.
