Middle Tennessee Storms: Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 1 AM

NASHVILLE, TN -- The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Middle Tennessee until 1 a.m. Wednesday.

A line of severe storms stretching from the Great Lakes into Texas is strengthening as it crosses the Mississippi River and pushes into West Tennessee.

The primary threat with the storms is damaging hail and straight-line winds, though the NWS cannot rule tornadoes. A wind advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. Heavy but brief downpours are also associated with the storm.

(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

Behind the front is a rapid and deep cool down, with forecasted temperatures sliding toward the freezing mark by Wednesday night into Thursday.

The storms are expected in the central band of Middle Tennessee - including Davidson, Williamson and Rutherford counties - between 8 and 10 p.m.

Stay with Patch for updates.

Image via National Weather Service