A Few Pockets of Sleet/Freezing Rain Near Sunrise
The previously mentioned system is now pushing shower activity through Arkansas, although not all of the radar echoes are reaching the ground. When it arrives here towards daybreak, it should be scattered in coverage. It looks like the temps that get below freezing will be in “pockets” around Middle Tennessee, with the most likely areas north of I-40, especially near the KY border. However, as of 8pm there were 20s in Tullahoma and McMinnville southeast of town. Dickson, Portland, Fayetteville, and Cookeville were at or below freezing at 8pm. Any precip that arrives before sunrise could be in the form of sleet and freezing rain. Amounts should be light, but there could be a few hours up to sunrise where some slick spots could develop on the roads. After the sun comes up, any problems will quickly disappear. By afternoon, highs should be in the mid to upper 40s.
Monitoring A Chance For Light Freezing Rain, Sleet For Sunday Morning
This is a tough one to call (but aren’t they all?):
The above radar picture (11:08am) shows a round of precipitation associated with an upper level disturbance (and developing weak surface low) moving eastward through Oklahoma and Kansas. CLICK HERE for most recent animation. It should arrive here between midnight and sunrise Sunday morning when temperatures will be near freezing in many areas of Middle Tennessee. Meanwhile, temps aloft should warm slightly. This could mean a round of “light” sleet and freezing rain. However, don’t let the word “light” fool you. It would only take a little drizzle on frozen streets to cause slick driving conditions. Travel to early church services might be affected if this pans out. The good news is that temps will warm to above freezing as the day wears on, alleviating the situation.
It is one of those “on the edge” situations we will just have to monitor. I’ll have more later.
Saturday Forecast: Cloudy and Cold, Flurry?
A few snow flurries are flying this morning under the clouds. They won’t amount to much, but some kids will be lucky enough to see a quick coating (this kid did). The clouds should stubbornly stay put, working with a north breeze to keep temperatures in the 30s most of the day. Highs will briefly approach 40 degrees this afternoon. Occasional mist or drizzle will continue to be a bit of a nuisance (as we call him around the station, Mr. Drizzle).
A weak upper disturbance will try to squeeze out a few wet snow showers or sprinkles late tonight into early Sunday. I don’t think it will amount to much. Temperatures will try to reach near 50 by Sunday afternoon, although we should stay mostly cloudy.
A south breeze on Monday will warm us up to the lower 60s. Showers should push in Monday night with a cold front. Behind that system, we get MUCH COLDER for Tuesday and Wednesday. Snow showers are a possibility on those days as frigid air spills in on gusty northwest winds. Winter’s not finished just yet!
Few Flurries Flying
I woke up to a dusting of snow on my deck this morning. A few additional flurries are flying this morning. Not enough to stick on the roads, but no complaints from this snow lover.
Ryan in Hickman County sent in these shots after midnight:
Cloudy, Misty, Foggy, Friday Night
And it looks like it may be tough for many of us to break out of the clouds on Saturday.
I’m a bit concerned about the dampness threatening a thin layer of black ice up in the northwest corner where temps will be right at or just below freezing. Be careful… especially on bridges and overpasses.
Nashville and areas south and east should stay just above freezing overnight so hopefully it will not be a concern here.
Saturday’s highs will range from the low 40s in northern counties to upper 40s in southern counties where you are likely to see more sunshine.
Midday Update
After some mid-morning breaks of sunshine, we’re solidly socked under the clouds and will stay that way the rest of the day. Light mist will continue to be a nuisance if you’re out and about.
I’m very impressed at the stark temperature contrast in place. The stationary front separating the 50s from the 30s has lived up to it’s name, barely budging since the early morning hours. The front is starting to make some slight eastward progress, so I still expect Nashville’s temperature to dip by the late afternoon.
Have a good weekend!
Some links to pass along:
Latest surface analysis (subtract 6 hours from the listed “Z” time to calculate the local time)
Friday Forecast: Wet Start
Rain will slow things down early this morning.
The rain will move east of I-65 after the morning commute, and should clear the Cumberland Plateau after lunchtime.
Aside from the rain, there’s a wild temperature variation this morning.
Most of us are in the 40s to near 50 degrees, but the northwest corner of Middle Tennessee is in the 30s with a northwest wind (Clarksville, Dover, Paris, Camden, Huntingdon). The models are doing a crummy job handling the stark temperature contrast, but I believe the cold air will spill in this afternoon.
The weekend ahead looks chilly with highs in the lower 40s. Mostly cloudy both days, with the chance of a sprinkle or flurry Saturday night into Sunday morning.
40 Degrees in Nashville; Roads Still A Mess In Kentucky
The above times must be Eastern time.
Although our temps in Nashville have warmed to 40 degrees, the ice is still a problem on the roads in Kentucky. To see updates of the above map and text information CLICK HERE. You can position your mouse over an icon and get a text box with the information.
Our photojournalist Jerry Barlar said that the salt trucks had helped improve I-24 around Hopkinsville. Hopefully, the same will be true for I-65 soon.
We sent news crews as well as a helicopter, and are communicating with our sister station WBKO in Bowling Green. Join News 2 at 4, 5, 6, & 10pm for the latest.
Temps Above Freezing In Nashville; Still A Few More Hours Subfreezing Temps Near KY Border
As of 11am Nashville and all points southward are above freezing and will stay that way. Temps were still a little below freezing in the northern counties as of 11am with some patchy freezing drizzle in those areas. Phone calls to Montgomery County and Clarksville have revealed that there have been no additional problems so far from this patchy drizzle. It might be 2-3pm before those areas rise above freezing, so motorists should watch bridges and overpasses there. Of course, this morning the worst problems were in Kentucky along I-24 and I-65 where numerous accidents took place. News 2’s Jerry Barlar has been on the ground in Kentucky, and Beau Fleenor was in the air in a helicopter, so join News 2 at 4, 5, and 6pm for the latest.
For most of Middle Tennessee, expect rain to move in tonight through Friday, but no freezing temperatures, no lower than upper 30s tonight.
Cold Forecast. Any Ice?
Temperatures this morning are below freezing. Light moisture is moving across the northwest corner of Middle Tennessee.
That combination could yield some icy spots for the morning commute for areas northwest of Nashville (like Stewart County, Montgomery County, Houston County, Henry County, Trigg County KY, Christian County KY).
I do not expect enough moisture to cause any problems for the Nashville morning commute.
Latest StormTracker image.
We do have some SnowTracker school closings.
A northeast breeze will limit afternoon highs to the upper 30s.
As the main batch of rain pulls in this afternoon, temperatures will be above freezing. Still, wet weather is expected for the drive home.
