Nashville, Tennessee – A mild and relatively quiet weather pattern is expected to dominate Tennessee as the New Year approaches, with warmer-than-normal temperatures and below-average precipitation favored from Dec 27 through Jan 9.
Large-scale atmospheric signals point to persistent ridging across the Southeast and Lower Ohio Valley, limiting the frequency and strength of storm systems moving through the region. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures across much of Tennessee are expected to run above seasonal averages, particularly during daytime hours. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are likely to experience extended stretches of mild winter afternoons, with overnight lows remaining well above freezing for late December and early January.
Precipitation chances appear limited overall, with long dry intervals expected between weak frontal passages. Any rain that does occur is expected to be light and brief, with no widespread flooding or winter weather concerns currently indicated. Even across eastern Tennessee and higher elevations of the Cumberland Plateau and Smoky Mountains, snowfall chances remain low due to limited moisture and marginal temperature profiles.
The warmer and drier setup should support favorable travel conditions along major corridors such as I-40, I-24, I-65, I-75, and I-81 during the busy New Year holiday period. Outdoor activities, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and post-holiday travel across the state are less likely to face weather-related disruptions compared to colder regions farther north.
While brief temperature fluctuations remain possible, no sustained cold outbreaks are currently signaled. Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware, but no significant hazards are anticipated. Overall, the outlook supports a calm, mild, and dry start to 2026 across Nashville and much of Tennessee.
