Middle TN weather: Hail, severe storms sweep the region; snow possible Friday

Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

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A severe thunderstorm warning for Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson and Wilson counties has now lifted. The latest round of storms dropped hail across the area, adding to previous reports of hail throughout the day across Middle Tennessee.

A cold front clashing with warmer air will drive an ongoing risk for severe storms across all of Middle Tennessee on Thursday, followed by a cold snap and a chance of snow Friday, the forecast showed.

NWS Nashville said the storms are ultimately expected to move out of the Nashville area by 4 p.m. and clear Middle Tennessee by 6 p.m.

A risk for severe storms across Middle Tennessee stretches through early Thursday evening, the forecast showed.
A risk for severe storms across Middle Tennessee stretches through early Thursday evening, the forecast showed.

Nearly the entire region is under a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for isolated severe storms, according to NWS Nashville. The risk of tornadoes and flooding remain both low. Remaining rounds of storms could bring damaging winds topping 60 mph, gusty winds and more hail.

Large hail falls in Southeast Nashville

John O'Connor said nearly golf-ball sized hail fell in his yard in Southeast Nashville during Thursday afternoon's severe thunderstorm warning. He said the stones melted a little before he was able to safely gather them to take a photo.
John O'Connor said nearly golf-ball sized hail fell in his yard in Southeast Nashville during Thursday afternoon's severe thunderstorm warning. He said the stones melted a little before he was able to safely gather them to take a photo.

John O'Connor, who lives near the Nipper's Corner neighborhood in Southeast Nashville, said nearly golf-ball sized hail fell in his backyard around 1:30 p.m. as a severe thunderstorm swept through. He said the yard was still covered with hailstones nearly 30 minutes later, despite the ongoing rain and 65-degree weather.

A video he shared to Twitter showed the hail bouncing high off the ground as it pelted his yard. A few cars parked nearby could be seen in the video.

"Fortunately I have a garage and park indoors," O'Connor told The Tennessean.

Spotters made multiple reports of anywhere from pea-sized hail up to half-dollar sized hail scattered across the region throughout the day Thursday.

Cloud hover over downtown Nashville in between storms on Thursday.
Cloud hover over downtown Nashville in between storms on Thursday.

Snow chances for Middle Tennessee

Much colder air will move in Thursday night into Friday, which means there's a good chance for snow showers across Middle Tennessee on Friday. Forecasts for cities like Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin and Columbia all show chances for snow showers starting early Friday morning.

However, accumulations are only expected along and near the Cumberland Plateau, NWS said.

"Accumulations are likely to reach 1 to 2 inches for the highest elevations from Jamestown to Monterey," the forecast said.

Snow on Friday?Here's how much may stick in Middle Tennessee

Nashville weather radar

Nashville forecast

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m. followed by a chance of showers through the rest of the day and night. Chance of precipitation 90%. High: 66; Low: 34

Friday: 20% chance of snow showers before 9 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High: 38; Low: 27

Saturday: Sunny. High : 46; Low: 28

Sunday: Mostly sunny. High: 55; Low: 41

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville weather: Severe storms, hail Thursday; snow Friday