Up to this point in 2025, the weather in Middle Tennessee has been chilly and snowy. There has been a snowstorm that has dropped approximately four inches of snow across the region, and temperatures in Nashville have been colder than normal for eleven of the first thirteen days of the year.
Due to this, schools have been closed for a number of consecutive days, and there is a possibility that additional cancellations will occur as a result of the forecast calling for extremely low temperatures.
It is anticipated that temperatures will be in the single digits during the mornings and afternoons, with highs remaining far below freezing throughout the beginning of the following week. There will be even more chills caused by the wind.
Bart Barker, the Public Information Officer for Wilson County Schools, stated that they are keeping a close eye on the weather; however, in the years that he has worked with the school, he is unable to recall a single instance in which they canceled classes due to the cold alone.
“I’ve been here for five years, I don’t recall a closing due to the cold. We have had a number of closures due to winter weather, severe weather, high wind, and other things, but at least since 2019 when I arrived, I don’t recall a closure due to the cold,” Barker stated.
Since schools are already set to be closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Barker said they are keeping a careful eye on the weather forecast for Tuesday, January 21. Extremely low temperatures are predicted for Tuesday, January 21’s morning, raising questions about whether cold weather alerts may be necessary.
The forecast is only preliminary at this time, and as the day draws nearer, the expected temperatures will probably change.
But according to current forecasts, temperatures might drop to the point that the National Weather Service might have to issue cold weather alerts for the impacted areas.
National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Husted went into further detail about the requirements for these advisories. He clarified that temperatures must rise to a certain point that presents a serious risk to public health and safety in order for cold weather alerts to be issued.
The purpose of these alerts is to inform locals of dangerously low temperatures and to motivate them to take the appropriate safety measures to shield their property, pets, and people from the damaging effects of extreme cold.
As the situation continues to change, authorities are warning locals to keep abreast of the most recent weather predictions and to be ready for possibly dangerous cold weather.
As events unfold, further information on the forecast and any advisories that have been issued will be shared.
Cold Weather Alert: Arctic Front Heading Toward North Texas This Week
“Here in Middle Tennessee if temperatures or wind chills get cold enough we will issue either a Cold Weather Advisory which is for temperatures or wind chills 5 degrees or lower, or an Extreme Cold Warning which is for temperatures or wind chills lower than 5 degrees below zero,” Husted stated.
Not much of a breeze is required to make it seem below zero, since temperatures are predicted to be in the single digits.
This means that early next week, cold weather advisories may be issued for a large number of people in Southern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.
