Nashville, Tennessee – Tennessee is facing an extended period of winter weather risk as lingering cold air keeps the threat for additional snow and ice events elevated through mid-February, following one of the most expansive winter storms to cross the country this season.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across Tennessee are expected to remain below normal for an extended stretch. With cold air firmly in place, any storm system moving through the Mid-South or Ohio Valley could bring snow, sleet, or freezing rain, particularly during overnight and early morning hours.
The concern follows Winter Storm Fern, a massive system that swept from Texas to Maine and impacted more than two dozen states. Fern brought disruptive snowfall and ice to parts of Tennessee, especially across Middle and East Tennessee, where slick roads and reduced visibility caused widespread travel issues. Interstates 40, 24, and 75 saw dangerous conditions, while school closures and delays were reported across multiple districts.
As cold conditions persist, communities from Nashville and Clarksville to Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Cumberland Plateau could face renewed impacts if similarly strong systems develop. Tennessee Department of Transportation officials warn that repeated winter weather events can quickly lead to icy roadways, particularly on elevated surfaces such as bridges, overpasses, and mountain roads.
Emergency management officials are urging residents to prepare now by checking heating systems, charging mobile devices, and keeping winter emergency kits stocked with food, water, and medications. Drivers are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel during wintry weather and to monitor TDOT traffic updates closely.
While the exact timing of future storms remains uncertain, forecasters say the broader pattern supports continued winter threats across the region. Additional advisories and alerts may be issued as confidence increases, with cold air and the potential for snow and ice likely remaining ongoing concerns across Tennessee through mid-February.
