Nashville, Tennessee – Wet roads could slow drivers along I-40 and I-65 before 8 a.m. Thursday as a passing system brings scattered showers and a brief rain-snow mix to the higher elevations of East Tennessee, but temperatures climbing 15 to 20 degrees above normal will keep most of the state firmly in a milder pattern by midday.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, Tennessee falls within a 40 to 50 percent above-normal precipitation zone through Tuesday. That enhanced corridor stretches from the Gulf Coast into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, increasing the likelihood of multiple rounds of rain as February winds down.
In Nashville, where average highs this time of year sit in the upper 40s, afternoon temperatures next week may surge into the low to mid-60s. Memphis could push the mid-60s with periodic showers along the I-55 corridor. Knoxville and the Cumberland Plateau may see a brief pre-dawn mix before temperatures rise quickly above freezing, eliminating slick conditions by late morning.
The broader outlook favors above-normal warmth across much of the eastern United States, while cooler air lingers across parts of the West Coast. That contrast keeps the jet stream active over the Southeast, supporting additional rainfall chances.
Drivers should allow extra travel time during heavier showers, clear storm drains to prevent localized flooding and monitor TDOT updates for changing road conditions. The milder stretch continues into early next week, though additional systems could still prompt advisories. Winter is fading across Tennessee, but higher elevations could still see brief reminders before spring fully takes hold.
