NWS warns of slick roads after light glaze of ice, snow in Middle Tennessee
A light layer of ice and snow covered most of Middle Tennessee overnight, with most areas recording less than half an inch of accumulation.
The snowfall marked Middle Tennessee's fourth snow this month. NWS warned of slick roads and black ice throughout the day Thursday.
"With temperatures expected to drop across entire mid state region into the 20s as early morning hours progress, patchy black ice formation will be likely on elevated surfaces, bridges, overpasses, and secondary shaded roadways through morning hours," NWS said. "Exercise caution on area roadways through morning hours today.
Some schools announced closures or delays due to poor road conditions, along with a few who cited staffing issues due to COVID-19 and other illnesses.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS, DELAYS: Here's a look at major school closings Thursday in Middle Tennessee
Good morning, weather peeps. It's going to be a cold and blustery day across Middle Tennessee with some lingering cloudiness. We may see some sunshine this afternoon, but it will do little to assuage the winter chill. pic.twitter.com/r6O6lwgicj
— NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) January 20, 2022
Winds around 10-20 mph throughout the day with gusts up to 30 mph should help to dry out roads, but slick spots could remain. Highs will hover around freezing Thursday and Friday and dip into the teens overnight.
"It's going to be a cold and blustery day across Middle Tennessee with some lingering cloudiness," NWS Nashville tweeted Thursday morning. "We may see some sunshine this afternoon, but it will do little to assuage the winter chill."
Road conditions, where to find Nashville traffic cameras
Road conditions may be slick Thursday.
"If you must travel, keep extra warm clothing, flashlight, non perishable food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency," NWS said. "Please keep up to date with latest forecasts and road conditions information across Middle Tennessee and surrounding regions."
People in need of roadway assistance can contact the Tennessee Highway Patrol by dialing *847 (THP) to have a trooper dispatched to them.
Find winter weather tips, travel information and more at tn.gov/tdot/inclement-weather. You can also follow @myTDOT on Facebook and Twitter for urgent traffic information. Call 511 for the road conditions in your areas.
You can also use the Tennessee Department of Transportation's SmartWay map to view real-time traffic conditions by clicking on "traffic cameras" from the drop down feature menu at the top right.
Major wrecks, delays and closures
Nashville announced its two main drive-thru COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites would be Thursday and Friday due to the cold weather.
Schools across the region also announced closings due to slick roads, including Metro Nashville Public Schools and Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. Rutherford County Schools said it would operate on a 2-hour delay and monitor conditions closely through the morning.
Several schools also announced closures for Thursday and Friday due to COVID-19 and staffing issues. Find the latest list of school closings and delays here.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS, DELAYS: Here's a look at major school closings Thursday in Middle Tennessee
NWS: January has been Nashville's snowiest month since 1985
As of Wednesday, Nashville has seen 9.3 inches of snow this month, according to NWS. That makes it the snowiest January since 1985 and ninth snowiest overall. January 1985 also marked Nashville's record low at -17 degrees.
But Nashville still has a long way to go to break its January snow record — 18.8 inches set in 1948.
With 9.3" of snow already having been measured in Nashville this month, this has become the snowiest January since 1985 and the 9th snowiest January overall. The record for January is 18.8" set in 1948. (January, 1985 was also the month we set our all-time record low of -17°.)
— NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) January 19, 2022
Nashville three day weather forecast
Thursday: Partly sunny. High: 32; Low; 19
Friday: Sunny. High: 32; Low: 16
Saturday: Sunny. High: 39; Low: 22
Nashville-area weather radar
Find reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville weather: Light ice, snow create slick road conditions
