Nashville picked up 0.5″ of rain this morning, and it looks like we’ll catch a break from the rain for the rest of the afternoon.

It’s cloudy and chilly as we approach noon, but sunshine is expected to break through the clouds in the next hour or so, which will boost our temperature into the 50s.

Rain, heavy at times, will continue for areas near the Cumberland Plateau through early afternoon.

There were several reports of small hail across the mid-state this morning, and hail even covered the ground in Carthage and other parts of Smith County. I’ll try to have some pictures to show on News 2 this afternoon at 4, 4:30, 5 & 6.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for East Tennessee, but Middle Tennessee shouldn’t have to worry about any strong storms for the rest of the day.

Friday starts with big rains and storms moving up from the south. This sets the theme for the day- wet weather. Cloudy and cooler as well with highs only in the mid-50’s most of the day. The heavy rain will fall the first half of the day, mostly just passing showers in the afternoon. Winds turn to the northwest later today ushering in cooler weather for the weekend as well.

WEEKEND FORECAST

For Saturday more rain and clouds, highs mostly in the 40’s all day, we’ll barely get to 50 by afternoon. Sunday less rain will fall, we might actually get to see a glimpse of sunshine. Highs on Sunday in the low 50’s.

Below you see how Predictor times the heavy rain today:

As expected, storms moving into our southern counties. Though severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect earlier in Alabama with these storms, they’ve moved into Tennessee just packing frequent lightning and very heavy rain. Strong storm is in Giles county moving into Marshall county.  Heavy rain in Hickman County racing into Williamson and Davidson county from the southwest.

Thanks to sunshine and a south breeze, temperatures hit 70 degrees this Thursday afternoon across much of the mid-state.

We expect dry weather this evening through late tonight, but storms are expected by early Friday morning as low pressure approaches from the southwest.

Heavy rain, lightning and the possibility of hail may prompt some severe thunderstorm warnings as early as 4:00 a.m. in the southwest corner of Middle Tennessee. In Nashville and most other places, it looks like another wet morning commute. We’ll monitor StormTracker closely and keep you posted if any warnings are issued.

Storms move in by Friday morning.

The storms should thin out by Friday afternoon, although temperatures will only rebound to near 60 degrees.

Cool weather sets in for the weekend, with clouds and occasional rain on Saturday keeping highs in the lower 50s.

Sunday will bring highs near 50 degrees with more clouds than sunshine.

Morning round of storms with more in the forecast by mid-day on. We are expecting the current line to get through Nashville and bordering cities by 7am. A cold front to the west helps fire up more storms by mid-day.  The risk of severe weather exists with these storms in the form of damaging winds and hail. The storm risk continues to the end of the day. Highs today in the mid-60’s and breezy.

Tonight a low in the low 50’s under mostly cloudy skies. Tomorrow cloudy and mid-day showers, highs around 60. By Saturday cloudy with light rain on occasion with highs only in the low to mid-50’s.

Below you see how Predictor times out the morning line of storms and reforms a line by mid-day:

Line of storms moving east at 40mph currently between Hwy 64 just west of Waynesboro and extending north into Houston County at Erin.  Delay your morning commute and stay inside until storms pass. Expect frequent lightning and damaging winds. Not expecting tornadoes.

Waverly to Linden line east to a Charlotte to Centerville line under T-Storm Warning.  Damaging winds and frequent lightning along with heavy rain can be expected.

No storm warning for Henry County but an intense lightning display from Paris north into Todd County Ky.

First Severe Thunderstom Warning for our area with an approaching line of thunderstorms from the west. Expect strong winds and frequent lightning. A Tornado Watch is in effect for our western edge until 9am.

Tornado activity is anticpated today to our west. Notice the slight risk (2%) in middle Tennessee. That is a risk for the early morning hours tomorrow.

Temperatures today will be determined by where the rain is or isn’t. We’ll have the sun break out around Nashville/Clarksville and get a strong south breeze this afternoon, temperature will get into the 70’s for only the second time this year. Meanwhille from Columbia to Murfreesboro to the south clouds will hang most of the day with rain chances increasing as the day continues. Highs in these areas only in the 60’s.

STORMS/BIG RAINS EARLY THURSDAY

A line of storms should form to our west/southwest and move across middle Tennessee tomorrow morning. Heavy rain with embedded storms possible with a slight risk of severe weather. Hail and damaging winds might be around with this line so we’ll keep a close watch with Storm Tracker. The skies should clear out tomorrow afternoon with another breezy day in store for us. Given that is March and the storm season we’ll have to watch any storm redevelopment in that heating. We’ll likely be in the 70’s again tomorrow.

WET AND COOLER AHEAD

Friday and Saturday won’t provide much in sunshine, highs only in the 50’s by Saturday. Look for some wet weather with isolated storms. The rain chances taper off by Sunday but highs again only in the 50’s. Not hint of freezing temperatures next week for those who have started the growing season early.