The Nashville Office of Emergency Management is urging everyone to make preparation for severe winter weather including snow before conditions deteriorate.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Watch for Metro Nashville Davidson County beginning on Friday, January 10, 2025.
The NWS issues a Winter Storm Watch when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours. It does not mean that significant and hazardous winter weather will occur. It only means it is possible.
NWS forecast the following conditions; however, the forecast is likely to change in the coming hours and days.
Forecast Details
- High confidence for travel impacts from snow starting mid-morning Friday.
- 4 to 7 inches of snow will be common with localized 8-inch amounts possible.
- Most of the snow will fall late Friday morning through Friday evening.
- Snow event expected with little or no rain, sleet, or freezing rain.
- Snow tapering off Friday evening, but significant travel impacts will continue into Saturday morning.
- Continued cold weather will result in slow melting. Partial thawing and refreezing could keep travel conditions hazardous for several days, especially in rural areas.
It is important you take precautions during this weather event both at home and when traveling along roadways.
For important safety information and weather updates sign up for the Metro Emergency Alert and Notification System (MEANS). It is free to download.
OEM’s Emergency Support Unit (OEM ESU) plans to conduct cold patrols due to the forecasted temperatures on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. OEM will continue to monitor the ongoing weather to determine if personnel will conduct more cold patrols.
During the cold patrols, OEM ESU Members will provide blankets, gloves, hand warmers and other care items to those who would like them, should they choose not to go to one of the available shelters.
For the latest information on extreme cold weather shelter operations several options are provided so that you will be alerted:
For information and updates about operations of the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) follow @NashvilleDOT on X / Twitter or go to Snow Removal webpage.
Preparing for Winter Weather
- Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
- Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.
- Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person's specific needs, including medication.
- Remember the needs of your pets.
- Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.
- If you are unable to afford your heating costs, weatherization, or energy-related home repairs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help.
Heating Safety
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a three-foot "kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer's instructions.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
- Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
Portable Generator Safety
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust by operating your generator outside for proper ventilation.
- Never refuel your generator when it is running. Let it cool down first.
- Do not store fuel in a garage, basement or inside your home. Vapors can be released that can cause illness and are a potential fire hazard.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector inside your home to warn you in case of a gas leak.
- Never hook up a generator directly to your home's electrical service or wiring. This can cause back feeding and poses a serious risk to NES line workers.
- Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
Driving Safety
- You should be careful when traveling on roadways. Freezing rain, sleet, black ice, and fog are all hazards to be aware of when driving.
- You can check current road conditions online on the TDOT SmartWay Map.
- If weather reports indicate icy conditions, consider staying off the roads until they are clear.
- Black ice is highly transparent, so it is hard to see while driving.
- Tips that may help if you get caught in areas of black ice:
- Keep your steering wheel straight. If you turn the wheel, you have a better chance of sliding and losing control of your vehicle.
- Do not brake. Braking causes the vehicle to slide, especially if you brake too hard.
- Take your foot off the accelerator to reduce speed. It is best to let the car stop on its own if you have enough room in front of you.
Protect Your Pets
- Bring your furry friends inside when temperatures take a dip! More pet prep tips from Ready.gov
- Wipe dog's paws after each trip outside. Ice-melting chemicals or rock salt can cause irritation, sickness or be fatal.
- Your pet may think antifreeze is sweet, but it can be deadly. Learn how to protect your pets in winter from the American Human Society
Prepare Now For Lost Power
- #WinterStorms can cause power outages, prepare for outages now with tips from Ready.gov
- Plan to check on neighbors if extreme cold or winter weather knocks out your power.
- Power Outage tip: Dim the brightness in your cell phone settings to save battery life.
- NES Power Outage Center
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