Tennessee Valley and Southeast Brace for Severe Storms

A surge of winter-like temperatures is headed to the Ohio and Tennessee valleys and into the Southeast. But first, the region is going to see the threat of severe storms. Here is a closer look at the details of this ever-changing weather landscape.

Unexpected Storms on Deck for the Tennessee Valley to Close Out the Week

Nashville is going to be in the bullseye for a severe weather threat on Friday, as storms are forecast to ignite across the Tennessee Valley and beyond. The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a level 2/5 severe storm threat for the Music City on Friday. Large hail, gusty conditions, and heavy rain are all potential impacts.

Over 20 million Americans will be under the gun for stormy conditions in a zone from Lexington, Kentucky, to the southeast into Mobile, Alabama.  An influx of warm and moisture-rich air coming up from the Gulf will clash with the arrival of a cold front to support the development of the storm cells. While this may seem like an odd time of the year for severe weather, it is not unusual for the southern U.S. to experience what meteorologists refer to as the "second severe weather season" in November and December. Competing air masses play a game of tug of war to fuel these stormy conditions.