by NASHVILLE, TN – As the nation braces for the second severe weather season, meteorologists are warning that more than 20 million Americans are at risk of strong to severe storms on Friday across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. The developing system could disrupt weekend plans and mark the beginning of a sharp winter chill expected to sweep across much of the Southeast by next week.
Cold Front and Gulf Moisture to Collide
Forecasters say a cold front trailing an area of low pressure forming in the central U.S. will extend south into the southern Tennessee Valley. This front will collide with moist, warm air drawn north from the Gulf of Mexico, creating the perfect environment for severe thunderstorms to form.
“Cold, dense air moving in from the north and the influx of Gulf moisture will create a volatile setup for storms,” said a meteorologist. “This kind of clash of air masses often results in damaging weather conditions.”
As the system develops, the level of atmospheric instability will determine how intense the storms become. Scattered severe storms are likely by Friday afternoon and evening, particularly in areas where temperatures rise and humidity levels remain high ahead of the front.
Nashville and Surrounding Areas Under Threat
The Tennessee Valley faces a Level 2 out of 5 severe storm risk, with the greatest danger stretching from Nashville, Tennessee to Lexington, Kentucky. In Nashville, where the sound of thunder is no stranger to residents, forecasters warn that Friday could bring a little extra percussion in the form of hail and strong winds.
“The main threat appears to be large hail and damaging gusts,” forecasters said. “Areas in south-central Kentucky and Middle Tennessee are most likely to experience the strongest impacts.”
Meteorologists emphasize that while tornadoes are not the primary threat, isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out, especially where warm and cold air collide most aggressively.
Weekend Brings Shifting Threats to the Southeast
As the front continues moving south, the severe weather threat will shift toward the Southeast on Saturday. The FOX Forecast Center predicts that by Saturday morning, most storms will taper off across the Mid-South, but the cold front is expected to stall and weaken, leaving behind unstable boundaries that could reignite scattered storms later in the weekend.
A Level 1 out of 5 risk for severe weather is now in place from Shreveport, Louisiana to Columbia, South Carolina. Although the storms are not expected to be as strong as Friday’s, localized flash flooding, strong winds, and hail remain possible.
Arctic Air to Follow the Storm System
Behind the storm system, an arctic air mass is set to move in, bringing a dramatic drop in temperatures. By early next week, many cities across the South could see record-breaking cold.
“By Monday, low temperatures could dip into the 30s across Atlanta and even as far south as Jackson, Mississippi,” according to forecasts. “This marks one of the earliest cold outbreaks of the season.”
Residents are advised to prepare for a quick temperature swing—from severe storms and muggy air to frigid, winter-like conditions in just a matter of days.
Authorities recommend staying alert for weather alerts and possible power outages, as well as securing outdoor items ahead of the incoming storms.
“Now is the time to have multiple ways to receive weather warnings,” the National Weather Service advised. “Storms may develop rapidly and could intensify overnight.”
How is your area preparing for the coming storms and cold blast? Share your experience or join the discussion at mikeandjonpodcast.com.
