The threat of severe weather has prompted school closings across the Middle Tennessee area.
A Storm 5 Alert was issued ahead of Monday's weather. A strong system is expected to bring the threat of severe storms, including damaging wind, large hail, and isolated tornadoes.
In anticipation of the storms, Nashville's Office of Emergency Management partially activated the Emergency Operations Center at noon.
Full List: Middle Tennessee School Closings
The Storm Prediction Center plans to upgrade the risk for severe weather to moderate for Southern Middle TN, N. Alabama and part of NW Georgia. That's a level 4 out of 5. The latest at 11am @NC5_talktown#tnwx#Storm5Alertpic.twitter.com/o9EEEsHeyh
— Lelan Statom (@NC5_LelanStatom) March 19, 2018
The rain began overnight Sunday with a few thunderstorms Monday morning. However, the most significant chance for severe weather will begin as early as 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. across our viewing area.
Early in the afternoon the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch for most of the mid-state.
Nashville may see the biggest risk from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Timing estimates:
3:30 p.m. Clarksville
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nashville
Sheblyville 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Exiting plateau between 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bedford and Coffee County officials announced they were opening storm shelters at 5 p.m.
Coffee County:
- Lakewood Baptist Church (4:00pm) 619 Ferrells Loop Rd., Beechgrove 37018
- St. Bedes Episcopal (4:45pm) 93 St. Bedes Dr., Manchester 37355
- Hillsboro First United Methodist (4:45pm) 305 Winchester Hwy., Hillsboro 37342
- Summitville Baptist (4:45pm) 488 Summitville Rd., Manchester 37355
- D.W Wilson Community Center 3232, 501 N Collins St, Tullahoma 37388
- C.D. Stamps Community Center 2007 W Lincoln St, Tullahoma 3738
- *please no pets
Bedford County
The main threat will be along and south of Interstate 40 during the early afternoon and evening hours. Be sure to keep up with the latest forecast here.
