Nashville, Tennessee – Tennessee is now included in a growing winter storm risk for the upcoming weekend, as forecasters monitor a developing system that could bring snow and hazardous travel conditions across parts of the state, according to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center.
The outlook spans 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Monday, when a strengthening storm system may impact Middle and East Tennessee, particularly along the Interstate 40 and Interstate 24 corridors, including Nashville, Cookeville, Crossville, and surrounding communities.
As of Monday evening, Tennessee is included in a 20% probability area for at least moderate winter storm impacts, with forecasters noting that probabilities are trending upward as confidence in the large-scale pattern improves. Officials caution that specific snowfall amounts and timing remain uncertain.
What forecasters know:
- Very cold Arctic air will blanket much of the eastern half of the U.S. into next week, ensuring any precipitation falls as snow, especially across interior Tennessee.
- A high-altitude disturbance is expected to dive out of Canada late Thursday, then deepen across the eastern U.S. by Saturday.
- This setup is likely to generate a surface low-pressure system, spreading widespread precipitation into the Tennessee Valley.
- Elevated terrain on the Cumberland Plateau and eastern Tennessee could see locally higher snowfall totals if the system tracks favorably.
What remains uncertain:
- The exact track of the surface low
- Whether the heaviest snow favors Middle Tennessee, the Plateau, or shifts east
- The duration and intensity of snowfall during the Friday–Monday window
Because Tennessee roadways are highly sensitive to snow and ice, even moderate accumulations could result in major travel disruptions, including hazardous conditions on I-40, I-24, I-65, and I-75, as well as impacts to freight movement and weekend travel.
Residents are urged to monitor forecast updates closely through midweek, particularly those planning long-distance travel, as probabilities may continue to rise with improving forecast confidence.
