Middle TN weather: Severe storm threat heightens Friday, high wind warning issued

Kirsten Fiscus and Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean
·4 min read
A rare high wind warning will take effect from 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. Friday across all of Middle Tennessee, with up to 60 mph wind gusts possible.
A rare high wind warning will take effect from 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. Friday across all of Middle Tennessee, with up to 60 mph wind gusts possible.

Looking for Friday weather updates? Find them here.

A high wind warning will take effect at 6 a.m. Friday as another round of potentially severe storms move through Middle Tennessee, bringing the risk of torrential rain, flooding and possible tornadoes, the forecast showed.

"Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines," the National Weather Service Nashville said. "Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles."

Friday weather updates:Tornado watch issued; threat of severe storms, high winds in Middle TN

Winds between 25-40 mph with gusts up to 55-60 mph are expected. The already-saturated ground will make it easier for the wind to down trees and power lines, NWS warned.

"People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows," NWS said. "Use caution if you must drive."

High wind warnings are relatively rare for Middle Tennessee. The last one was issued on May 4, 2020, one day after a derecho brought widespread wind damage to the region.

Risk for damaging winds, heavy rain, tornadoes Friday in Middle Tennessee

All of Middle Tennessee is under risk for severe weather on Friday, the forecast showed.
All of Middle Tennessee is under risk for severe weather on Friday, the forecast showed.

Alongside the high wind warning, the main risk for severe weather is from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday across the region, NWS said. Part of the region, including Clarksville, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Columbia and Williamson County, are under an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5) for severe weather Friday. The rest of the region is under a slight risk (level 2 of 5).

Damaging straight-line winds are the main threat.

"A few tornadoes are also possible, along with heavy rain," NWS Nashville said.

The western part of the region, including Clarksville, has the greatest severe weather potential from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The central part of the region, including Nashville, Rutherford County, Williamson County and Maury County, are at the highest risk from 9 a.m. to noon. Finally, the eastern part of the region will see its highest risk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A risk of severe storms will ramp up in Middle Tennessee from 7 a.m. Friday through the afternoon, the forecast showed.
A risk of severe storms will ramp up in Middle Tennessee from 7 a.m. Friday through the afternoon, the forecast showed.

Localized and flash flooding are also a risk with Friday's rain. A portion of Middle Tennessee's southern counties, including the areas around Murfreesboro, Tullahoma and Columbia, are under a flood watch until 6 p.m. Friday.

Friday's storms follow an previous round that hit Middle Tennessee around 6 p.m. Wednesday before ultimately moving out early Thursday morning. Wednesday's storms triggered tornado watches for part of the region, dropped heavy rain and packed high winds and lightning.

Some areas received more than 2 inches of rain Wednesday night, with 1-2 more inches possible Friday.

National Weather Service urges weather awareness

The National Weather Service recommends having multiple ways to get weather updates.
The National Weather Service recommends having multiple ways to get weather updates.

As always, it's important to remain weather aware, NWS said. There are multiple ways to get weather alerts, including cell phone push alerts from local media and weather apps; social media updates; local news coverage; and NOAA weather radios.

NWS recommends having an emergency kit you can quickly grab in case of an emergency. It should include essential supplies like food, water, flashlights, batteries, medicine, extra clothing and shoes, toiletries and solar-powered chargers for electronic devices.

Learn more about how to prepare for severe weather and make an emergency plan at ready.gov/plan.

Watches and warnings

A flood watch is in effect through 6 p.m. Friday for the following counties: Cannon; De Kalb; Rutherford; Van Buren; Warren; White.

A high wind warning will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday for the following counties: Bedford; Cannon; Cheatham; Clay; Coffee; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Dickson; Fentress; Giles; Grundy; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Lawrence; Lewis; Macon; Marshall; Maury; Montgomery; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Putnam; Robertson; Rutherford; Smith; Stewart; Sumner; Trousdale; Van Buren; Warren; Wayne; White; Williamson; Wilson.

Nashville-area weather radar

Nashville forecast

Thursday: A 30% chance of showers, mainly after 5 p.m. with chances of showers and thunderstorms ramping up to 90% overnight into Friday morning. High: 66; Low: 59

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely throughout the day into the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. High: 72; Low: 41

Saturday: Sunny. High: 61; Low: 39

Sunday: Sunny. High: 68; Low: 49

Craig Shoup contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville weather: Severe storm threat, high winds Friday in Middle TN