Wednesday in Nashville starts thick and muggy, with temperatures hovering near 75°F and a dew point around 72°F that has wrung out patchy fog in low-lying spots before the morning commute. That fog is expected to lift by midmorning, and afternoon highs should climb into the upper 80s with a heat index pushing into the upper 90s. North-northwest winds stay on the light side, and any showers that do pop up today are forecast to be isolated and brief.
Foggy Morning, Sticky Commute
Drivers rolling through river valleys and shaded streets early may run into pockets of reduced visibility before about 7 a.m. Use low beams, slow down, and give yourself extra room to brake. Once the fog burns off, skies trend mostly sunny through the rest of the day, with new rainfall amounts generally under a tenth of an inch and winds around 0 to 10 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Afternoon Heat, Short Break Thursday
The afternoon will feel downright oppressive at times thanks to the humidity, so outdoor plans are best saved for the cooler morning hours if you have the option. A drier air mass slips in on Thursday, knocking highs back into the mid 80s for a brief, more comfortable stretch. If you have to be out in the heat this afternoon, build in plenty of water breaks and avoid long stretches of heavy activity during peak heating.
Weekend Rain Chances And Travel
More widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to move in from Friday night into Saturday, with the best odds for organized rain across parts of Middle Tennessee. Forecasters do not expect widespread severe weather at this point. If your neighborhood has already dealt with flooding earlier this week, pay close attention to Friday night timing and steer clear of standing water on streets that you know tend to flood. For a recap of recent impacts, see this look at storms, street floods and sweltering heat.
Quick Tips
Never drive through standing water, check local alerts before hitting the road Friday night into Saturday, and keep water handy during today’s heat. Neighbors without reliable air conditioning should consider cooling centers or daytime shelters, and keep an eye out for updates if thunderstorms ramp up late in the week.
