Nashville is waking up under cloudy skies Thursday, with temperatures already around 81 degrees and another brutally hot afternoon ahead. The high is expected to reach 95, while humidity could make Thursday feel hotter before showers and thunderstorms become more likely.
Storm Chances Rise Thursday Afternoon
Thursday starts mostly sunny before scattered showers and thunderstorms develop between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Storm chances remain through the evening, with the best window for storms running roughly from midafternoon into the early evening.
Some storms could bring brief heavy rain, and repeated downpours may create localized flooding in spots. Southwest winds will run around 5 to 10 mph, with temperatures easing only to about 72 degrees overnight.
How Thursday's Flood Risk Differs
Thursday's concern is localized flooding from repeated heavy downpours, rather than a river crest like the one during Nashville's May 2010 flood. Records from the National Weather Service show the Cumberland River at Nashville reached 52.55 feet on May 3, 2010; the record crest is 56.20 feet, set in 1927. For official updates, the Nashville Office of Emergency Management says residents can register for MEANS alerts by phone, text, email or TTY, while the city's NERVE mapping system provides information on road closures, evacuation areas and shelters during activated emergencies. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency advises drivers not to enter flooded roads or go around barricades because water can conceal washed-out surfaces, electrical wires and other hazards.
Official Heat and Flood Resources
According to Nashville's Office of Homeless Services, Hope U adds heat-relief supplies such as water, electrolyte drinks, sunscreen and insect repellent when temperatures reach 90°F or higher.
Metro Water Services notes that being outside FEMA's Special Flood Hazard Areas does not guarantee a property will avoid flooding. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood-hazard information used by the National Flood Insurance Program.
Friday Stays Hot And Muggy
Friday brings patchy fog early, followed by partly sunny skies and another high near 94 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms remain possible throughout the day, with rain chances increasing again Friday night and a low near 72.
The weekend looks wetter, especially Saturday, when showers and thunderstorms are likely and the chance of rain rises to about 80%. Saturday's high should reach 91 before Sunday turns sunnier, though areas of fog may linger during the morning.
Heat Returns Next Week
Sunday and Monday will stay hot, with highs near 93 and 95 degrees, respectively. Tuesday and Wednesday could bring more afternoon storm chances, but the larger pattern remains one of above-normal temperatures, with highs in the mid-90s.
No watches, warnings or advisories are in effect for Nashville at this time. Anyone heading outside Thursday should plan around the afternoon heat, drink water regularly and keep an eye on the sky as storms move in.
