5 days ago
Amid CMA Fest, Nashville area could see three days of severe weather. What to know about timing, impacts
Those attending CMA Fest this weekend in Nashville will need to bring an umbrella or a poncho along with their cowboy boots — the National Weather Service has issued a severe weather risk for Middle Tennessee for three consecutive days beginning June 5.
The weather service is warning of increasing chances for rain and storms beginning June 5, with a low threat during the afternoon hours. This will be followed by medium to high chances of storms on June 6 and June 7, with a 2 out of 5 risk level for severe thunderstorms.
Damaging winds and heavy rainfall are the main threats, added the weather service. Here's what to know about timing and risks.
June 5: Conditions on June 5 will feel noticeably more humid due to a surface front moving south, said the weather service, which will bring more moisture into the area, increasing the chances of rain.
The Storm Prediction Center issued a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) for severe weather on June 5, specifically for areas west of Interstate 65.
The main concern June 5 — and through the weekend — is damaging wind. There will be a brief break during the overnight hours on June 5, but after that the severe threat ramps up.
June 6: Thunderstorms could then bring heavy rainfall on June 6. According to the weather service, storms will have enough energy to intensify quickly.
"SPC has us in an areawide slight risk (2/5) for severe weather Friday, so make sure you have a severe weather plan if you plan to be outside or away from home," said the weather service.
June 7-8: Weekend weather will remain unsettled, with the potential for severe storms on June 7, especially south of Interstate 40, said the weather service. The same surface front that triggered earlier storms will linger, fueling more thunderstorms in the region.
"Once again, damaging winds will be the main hazard out of these storms if they turn severe," said the weather service.
The rain isn't expected to completely go away by June 8. A large upper-level trough will settle over the eastern U.S., keeping the weather pattern active with almost daily chances for showers and thunderstorms through mid-week. Despite the rainy conditions, temperatures will stay relatively mild, hovering in the low to mid-80s through mid-week.
Rain on June 5 will be more of the "pop-up" variety during the afternoon hours, said National Weather Service Meteorologist Paige Baggett.
On June 6, the rain is expected to arrive in Nashville between noon and 8 p.m. Additional storms may possibly develop behind the main storm line during the overnight hours, although confidence remains low.
The exact timing for storms on June 7 is uncertain, however, there's a chance for severe weather from the afternoon into the evening hours, said Baggett.
Nashville is expected to receive up to three inches of rain throughout the next seven days beginning on June 5, while some surrounding areas could receive up to four inches.
Thursday: Mostly sunny with a high near 90 and a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m.
Then partly cloudy, with a low of around 71 at night and a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 a.m., followed by a slight chance of rain between 3 and 4 a.m., with another round of possible thunderstorms after 4 a.m.
Friday: A high near 88 and a 100% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon.
Then mostly cloudy, with a low of around 71 at night and a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, likely before 10 p.m. Expect more showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., with a chance of more rain and storms after 1 a.m.
Saturday: A high near 85 and an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorm after 1 p.m.
Then mostly cloudy, with a low of around 69 at night and a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, likely before 10 p.m. Expect showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., followed by a chance of more rain and storms after 1 a.m.
Sunday: Mostly sunny with a high near 85 and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 p.m. Then mostly clear with a low of around 67 at night.
Monday: Mostly sunny with a high near 86 and a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Then mostly cloudy with a low of around 67 at night and a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Tuesday: Partly sunny with a high near 84 and a 40 chance of showers and thunderstorms. Then partly cloudy with a low of around 64 at night.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86 and a 20% chance of showers.
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville severe weather: Will storms impact CMA Fest this weekend?
