Winter Is Coming: Will Snow Follow Midstate's Big Temp Drop?

NASHVILLE, TN -- Near-record high temperatures herald the start of the work week, but by the end of the weekend, winter will arrive, according to the National Weather Service.

Middle Tennessee enjoyed clear skies and highs in the 60s through the weekend and strong south winds bumped Monday's temperatures even higher: into the low 70s, near the record of 77 set in 1998.

But those south winds were simply a precursor to a strong cold front, expected to bring gusty winds, rain and lightning to the area Tuesday with temperatures dropping throughout the day as the front pushes through.

By Wednesday, the daytime highs will be much Decembery - in the low to mid-40s - and those highs will continue to slide as the week progresses, possibly reaching only the upper 30s by the weekend, with lows down into the teens and 20s.

But, perhaps, the biggest news is a pair of small clipper systems that are expected to track across the area Friday and Saturday.

"Weak upper level disturbances moving across the mid state region will result in the potential of a couple wintry mix precipitation events. On of these will be on Friday morning and another one will be during the Friday night into Saturday time frame. Light accumulating snowfall amounts may be possible across Middle Tennessee Friday night into Saturday, with the greatest potential for accumulation across the Cumberland Plateau Region," the National Weather Service office in Old Hickory said.

Generally, the forecasters expect less than an inch of accumulation with up to an inch expected on the plateau, but any impacts will be minimal as highs will get above freezing.

Check with Patch all week for updates on the weather.

Image via NWS