Nashville is starting Wednesday, August 19, with clear skies and temperatures near 69 degrees, but the calm will not last all day. The city is headed for a hot afternoon, followed by a round of thunderstorms that could complicate late-night travel and early Thursday plans.
Fog Gives Way To A 96-Degree Afternoon
Patchy fog is possible between 7 and 8 a.m. Wednesday before skies turn mostly sunny. The high should reach 96 degrees, with heat-index values as high as 103 and a light southwest wind of 0 to 5 mph, according to the National Weather Service Nashville.
That combination of heat and humidity will make outdoor work, exercise and long stretches in the sun feel tougher than the thermometer suggests. No heat advisory is posted, but residents should take breaks, drink water and avoid leaving children or pets in parked vehicles.
Storms Arrive After Dark
Showers and thunderstorms could begin reaching the Nashville area after 10 p.m. Wednesday, with storms becoming more likely overnight and continuing into Thursday morning. The forecast calls for a 70% chance of rain Wednesday night, with roughly a quarter- to half-inch of rainfall possible.
Middle Tennessee faces at least a marginal risk for severe storms, while a higher level 2 risk is focused farther northwest around Clarksville, Waverly and Dover. Strong or damaging winds and heavy rain are the main concerns around Nashville, with a much lower threat of large hail or tornadoes.
Thursday Stays Hot Before A Drier Weekend
Thursday could bring lingering storms before 7 a.m., with the best chance for additional thunderstorms between 7 a.m. and noon. Skies may turn mostly sunny later, but temperatures will still climb near 91 degrees, and the heat index could reach 102…