Thursday is acting more like late April than February in Nashville. It starts off mild and partly cloudy, with temperatures around 59°F at Nashville International Airport and sticky dew points making it feel a bit muggy for early morning. According to the National Weather Service in Nashville, temperatures will climb quickly, with a forecast high near 76°F and a chance of showers and a few thunderstorms before and just after sunrise. A south-southwest breeze will kick up later this afternoon ahead of a cold front that brings cooler air Thursday night into Friday.
Afternoon Heat Flirts With Record As Winds Ramp Up
That high near 76°F could match Nashville’s daily record for February 19, set in 2018, putting the city squarely in near-record territory. Forecasters are calling for south-southwest winds of 5–15 mph, with gusts this afternoon around 30–35 mph. A few spots, especially where tree limbs were weakened by recent ice, could see stronger gusts. These details come from the National Weather Service in Nashville.
Showers, Thunder And What To Expect
Scattered showers and a line of thunderstorms are most likely from Thursday evening into the overnight hours, with rain chances running about 30–60%. Most areas are expected to pick up less than a quarter-inch of new rainfall. If a stronger storm develops, it would be more likely to produce damaging wind gusts than a widespread tornado threat. Friday looks drier and cooler before another system brings rain chances back into the picture late Saturday into the weekend.
Old Ice Storm Damage Could Mean New Headaches
Forecasters are still flagging lingering tree damage from last month’s ice storm, and today’s gusty winds could be enough to shake down weakened limbs. That could lead to localized power outages or blocked streets. Nashville saw widespread outages during the January event, and crews spent weeks on large-scale repairs. For background on the January outage and ongoing recovery, see Axios.
How To Get Ready For The Wind And Rain
Before the afternoon breeze revs up, secure loose outdoor furniture and trash cans so they do not take flight down the block. Try not to park under trees with obviously broken or hanging limbs. Keep an umbrella handy if you have evening plans, and monitor local updates if you are traveling later tonight, when showers and storms are most likely.
