Nashville is waking up to a warm, soupy start Friday, with mostly cloudy skies, muggy air and temperatures hovering around 70°F at Nashville International. A steady push of southerly wind will crank those readings into the mid-80s this afternoon, so anyone with outdoor plans should bank on a warm, breezy day before the weather script flips over the weekend.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Afternoon highs are expected to top out near 86°F, with south winds around 5 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Those higher gusts will add a little extra sting to the heat and can easily send lightweight patio furniture or decorations skittering across the yard, so it is a good idea to secure anything that is not tied down. Tonight stays on the mild side, with lows only slipping into the upper 60s, which is warmer than normal for this time of year.
Saturday Storm Chances
A stronger disturbance rolls in Saturday afternoon and evening, bringing a solid shot at showers and thunderstorms along with areas of steady rain. According to the National Weather Service Nashville, rainfall totals from this system are expected to stay under about 1.25 inches. That keeps widespread flooding off the table, but a few stronger storms could still pack small hail or damaging wind gusts. If you are headed to outdoor events Saturday afternoon or evening, plan on keeping an umbrella within reach and checking radar as things develop.
Weekend Cool Down And What To Pack
Once the front pushes through, temperatures take a clear step down. Highs drop into the mid-60s on Sunday, with lows dipping into the low 40s Sunday night, and more typical, sunnier conditions returning early next week. There are no watches or warnings in effect at the moment, but the weekend timing means event planners and evening commuters should build in a backup plan in case storms arrive during peak activities.
For background on the recent warmth and how the incoming rain fits into the longer-term dry pattern, see our earlier forecast on the steamy stretch.
