Nashville is waking up to a gray, gusty Monday, with clouds hanging low and temperatures hovering around 37°F at Nashville International Airport (BNA). West winds are already cranking in the 20 to 30 mph range after a pre-dawn round of strong to severe thunderstorms rolled through, dropping pockets of damaging wind and hail across parts of Middle Tennessee. A Wind Advisory remains in effect through 7:00 AM CDT Monday, March 16, so expect a bumpy ride on exposed roads during the morning commute.
Morning Commute: Snow Showers And Slick Spots
Scattered snow showers are on the table between about 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday, occasionally mixing with rain. For most of Nashville, that means brief, light flakes flying by without sticking, while higher elevations on the Cumberland Plateau could see a light dusting on grassy surfaces. The forecast high tops out around 40°F, with total new precipitation generally under a tenth of an inch.
Roads should stay mostly just wet, but it is still a good idea to ease off the gas on untreated bridges and tree-lined streets. A quick burst of flurries in the right spot can make things slick in a hurry.
Wind Advisory And Safety
The Wind Advisory calls for west winds of 15 to 20 mph and gusts up to 35 mph through 7:00 AM CDT Monday. “Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles,” the advisory notes, according to NWS Nashville. That means box trucks, semis and taller SUVs will really feel the push on interstates and overpasses.
Secure loose outdoor items, trash cans and lawn furniture so they do not go rolling down the block. A few tree limbs and some power outages are possible where gusts have been strongest. If you run across downed power lines or debris blocking the road, keep your distance and report outages or damage to your utility provider.
Monday Night Freeze, Then Rapid Warm-Up
Skies clear out Monday night, which will let temperatures tank to around 24°F by early Tuesday. That is cold enough to threaten sensitive outdoor plants and exposed pipes, so cover vegetation and take basic precautions with sprinkler systems and plumbing.
The cold shot will not last long. By midweek, highs rebound to near 60°F on Wednesday and then jump into the 70s Thursday and Friday, a fast warm-up on the heels of the wintry start.
Earlier Coverage
We flagged this volatile stretch in an earlier forecast; see our March 7 update for background. Our March 7 update connected that early-week storm track to the fast warm-up later in the week.
Quick Tips
Plan a little extra time for the morning drive, especially if your route includes bridges or higher overpasses where gusts can hit harder. Watch for sudden wind bursts, keep pets and outdoor furniture secured until conditions ease, and stay tuned to local forecasts and official alerts for any updates to watches and warnings.
