Winter storm expected to bring significant snow to Middle TN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The next snowstorm will bring significant totals to parts of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. This, combined with the bitter cold air that follows, will make for dangerous conditions through Friday.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect Tuesday night through Wednesday morning for counties generally along the Interstate 40 corridor and northward. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for our counties below I-40. Accumulating snow is expected for all, with heaviest totals north and northwest, and lower totals south toward the Tennessee and Alabama state line.

The best way to get a large accumulating snow in the mid-south is from a Gulf Low mixing with cold air. That is exactly what we are looking at Tuesday night through Wednesday morning when a low-pressure center is forecast to skirt the Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama coastline, with subfreezing air in place in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. The impacts from this storm will be limited to moderate from south to north across our area.

A closer view of Future Tracker shows the snow starting Tuesday late afternoon and evening from west to east. Initially, there may be some rain mixed in with the snow. But, as the colder temperatures push south into the evening and overnight, all snow will occur and totals will add up! Snow exits by midday Wednesday.

As far as snow amounts go, 2 to 4 inches of snow are expected across Nashville and much of the north half of Middle Tennessee. 4 to 6 inches are likely for most of Southern KY. Our southern counties will see a coating to 2 inches of snow. The least amount will fall along the Tennessee/Alabama state line.

This snowfall will likely affect travel starting Tuesday night. This snow will mostly be dry and fluffy, therefore making snowmen or snowballs will be extremely difficult (the exception in southern counties where the snow will be wetter, but also remember the snow amount is lower there). Also, temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing through Saturday morning, so the snow will stick around for several days and continue to impact the roads.

Time to prepare for another significant snow and Arctic cold event. Remember the 4 P’s: people, pets, plants, and pipes. We could be near record lows on both Thursday and Friday morning. Also, Thursday’s wind chills could be 5 to 10 degrees below zero! Bundle up and take breaks in the heat.