Nashville, Tennessee – Tennessee is facing an extended stretch of unusually harsh winter weather as Arctic air settles across the region and shows little sign of retreat through early to mid-February. Temperatures are set to plunge this weekend, with overnight lows dropping sharply statewide and daytime highs struggling to rebound, increasing the risk of icy roads and dangerous cold exposure.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, long-range outlooks from late January through mid-February favor much below normal temperatures across the Tennessee Valley. This Arctic pattern is part of a larger national setup driving extreme cold across the Midwest and Northeast, while forcing freezing air deep into the Southeast and even parts of the Deep South.
For Tennessee, the most immediate concern is wintry precipitation this weekend. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain are possible, especially across Middle and East Tennessee, creating slick conditions along I-40, I-65, I-75, I-24, and secondary roadways. Rapid temperature drops also raise concerns about frozen pipes, power strain, and hazardous early-morning travel, particularly in higher elevations.
Looking ahead, only brief and limited temperature moderation is expected, with no sustained warm-up likely before mid-February. Officials urge residents to limit outdoor exposure, protect exposed plumbing, prepare vehicles for extreme cold, and monitor updates closely as additional winter weather advisories and cold alerts may be issued while this prolonged Arctic outbreak remains firmly in place.
