Incoming winter storm prompts closures, cautionary warnings and snow prep across Tennessee

Courtesy National Weather Service

Life in Middle Tennessee is expected to grind to a halt Friday as a major snowfall sweeps through — the culmination of days of escalating warnings.

The latest forecast anticipates steady snowfall for all of Friday and an accumulation of 4 to 8 inches of snow. A winter storm warning runs into Saturday morning.

The impacts are already widespread, with K-12 schools and some universities closed, trash collection paused in Nashville, WeGo bus service preemptively scaled back, and many government offices closed or operating virtually. Nashville’s libraries and most of its courts and government offices won’t open Friday.

Officials are pleading with people to avoid driving — and to expect hazardous roads for several days. When could normalcy return? The National Weather Service says sufficient sun and warmth to melt the snow isn’t due until Sunday and Monday, with temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s.

The arrival of the storm has prompted all-hands-on-deck efforts from local and state road crews.

Special efforts have already been underway to deliver meals and supplies to vulnerable families, and to check on people who are unhoused or who have a disability.

Utilities, meanwhile, are warning of power outages and the threat of frozen pipes.

Cautionary messages

Officials have been emphasizing a pair of messages: Stay home if at all possible on Friday. And take precautions early, like charging essential electronics and circulating plumbing to avoid frozen pipes. 

If you have to drive, have salt or kitty litter in your car, so you can pour it on the road if you get stuck in the snow. Move outdoor pets inside, and cover up hoses or exposed outdoor pipes.

Metro Water is warning of the possibility of frozen pipes, and encouraging residents to open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to circulate plumbing, and, in the case of low temperatures, let water trickle from faucets.

The Nashville Electric Service is warning that, sometimes, heavy snow can lead to power outages. They urge residents to charge their phones and digital devices ahead of time, and obtain preparedness items like batteries and flashlights.

Metro has its winter preparedness tips online here.

Additional closure details

Closures include:

• • schools in Cheatham, Dickson, Nashville, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties
  • Vanderbilt, Tennessee State and Middle Tennessee State universities
  • all Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System outpatient clinics and administrative offices
  • Metro trash and recycling collection services will be paused Friday. Metro has plans to resume trash collection — not recycling — on Monday. The pick-up will include residents whose collection was impacted by the Friday cancellation.
  • WeGo is reducing much of its bus service on Friday, opting to mostly run its Saturday offerings. And regional buses will not run. WeGo weather alerts are posted here.
  • most Nashville courts
  • Davidson County Election Commission
  • Metro Clerk’s Office
  • Metro Parks facilities (and programs cancelled)
  • Metro Public Health Department and Metro Animal Control and Care
  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

This is a developing story last updated at 8:40 p.m. Thursday.