Saturday kicks off in Nashville on the sticky side, with low clouds, muggy air, and the thermometer hovering near 64°F at Nashville International Airport. A south-southwest breeze is hauling in warmth and humidity, and most spots are still on track to jump into the upper 70s to around 80°F before rain moves in. The twist comes later: scattered showers in the late morning are expected to blossom into more widespread storms by afternoon and evening. Keep the umbrella close and be ready for temperatures to drop quickly once the front slides through.
Afternoon Storm Window
According to the National Weather Service Nashville (NWS Nashville), a cold front will bring a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between about 10 a.m. and noon, with more widespread showers and storms taking over through the afternoon and evening. Forecasters say the risk of severe weather is very low. Highs should top out near 80°F before readings fall back into the mid 60s, with west-southwest winds around 5 to 15 mph and gusts that could reach 25 mph. Localized rainfall totals in heavier cells are expected to land around a quarter to a half inch.
What This Means For Your Commute
Heavy downpours could briefly knock down visibility and leave roads slick during the afternoon and evening rush, so it is worth budgeting some extra travel time if you are crossing downtown or hopping on I-65. Outdoor events should think about shifting inside or at least having a solid plan B, since pockets of steady rain can bubble up quickly along the front. Before the peak afternoon winds arrive, it is a good idea to secure loose patio furniture, tents and anything else that might try to relocate itself.
Cool Finish, Warmer Week Ahead
Showers should ease off overnight, with noticeably cooler air settling in behind the front and lows dropping into the low to mid 40s Saturday night. Sunday looks much drier and sunnier, with a high near 68°F as northwest flow builds in, roughly a 20-degree dip from Saturday afternoon's peak. For more on the warm spell that led into this setup, see how the stormy Saturday showdown was setting up earlier.
Next Week Outlook
A surface high should keep most of next week on the dry side, with highs rebounding into the 70s on Monday and then into the low 80s by midweek. Without much additional rain in the forecast, the drought signal may hang on a bit longer. If you have outdoor plans later in the week, keep an eye on updated forecasts, since the next best shot at showers currently looks to arrive by next weekend.
