Snow arrives in Middle Tennessee, with hazardous road conditions expected Thursday and Friday

A cold front is arriving in Middle Tennessee, and it’s bringing snow and frigid temperatures.

Snow arrived by 8 a.m. in Nashville on Thursday. Areas further south, like Columbia and Tullahoma, will likely get sleet that will make roads icy, and snow will follow closely behind, with 1 to 3 inches expected south of Interstate 40. The closer you are to Kentucky, the more snow is likely to accumulate — up to 5 inches in some places.

Not all midstate school districts are back from the holiday break, but of those that are, most have cancelled classes today due to the weather. The governor has closed state offices. Many flights out of Nashville are cancelled, as well.

Nearly all of Middle Tennessee is now under a Winter Storm Warning today and this evening. Snow will spread from west to east across the mid state during the morning, and will end during the late afternoon and evening. Significant travel impacts are anticipated. pic.twitter.com/FfNYNVzsPr

— NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) January 6, 2022

Scott Unger with the National Weather Service says everything left over on the roads will then freeze overnight.

“That’s why we’re going to see quite a few travel issues come Friday morning,” Unger says, “with temperatures in the teens and a lot of single digits across the central portion of the state between Nashville and Knoxville.”

Tennessee Department of Transportation is pre-treating state routes and interstates in anticipation of the weather event, and crews have prepared snowplows and brine trucks. Salt supplies were replenished in every county across the state.

Tennessee’s Emergency Management Agency recommends that residents compile an emergency kit for winter weather, including rock salt, snow shovels, heating fuel, blankets, and a radio.

Heads up Tennessee! More winter weather is on the way for Thursday. Take precautions now:
❄️ Follow your local @NWS office & stay weather aware!
❄️ Prepare an emergency kit for your home & vehicle
❄️ Discuss your winter weather plan with family & coworkers pic.twitter.com/KHnFs2FJzy

— Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) (@TennesseeEMA) January 5, 2022

The National Weather Service says that warm weather to melt the ice and snow isn’t expected until Saturday.

Last updated Thursday at 8:45 a.m.