Nearly 100% chance of Nashville area rain, thunderstorms into Monday – Tennessean

Weeks of unusually dry, hot conditions are finally easing in the greater Nashville area. 

Showers and thunderstorms will drop up to three inches of rain across the region Sunday night into Monday morning, according to National Weather Service. All of Middle Tennessee is expected to receive at least an inch. 

The rainfall comes after a “flash drought” hit Tennessee and 13 other Southern states in September and lingered into this month.  

This storm front won’t bring an end to the drought but it will help, said National Weather Service meteorologist Faith Borden.

“What we need is several days of gentle rain,” Borden said, adding that October is typically the driest month of the year in Tennessee. “But any rain will be helpful.”

There is a 70% chance of precipitation Sunday afternoon and a nearly 100% chance of rain and thunderstorms Sunday night, according to the weather service officials.

Highs will be in the lower 80s, dropping into the 50s on Sunday night. 

Showers are likely to continue into Monday morning, when highs will reach the upper 60s. 

Conditions will dry off again Tuesday through Thursday, when temperatures gradually increase from the mid 70s to the lower 80s. 

On Friday and Saturday, there is a 30% chance of rain. Temperatures will range in the upper 60s to the 70s, according to weather officials. 

The flash drought across the Southern states moved in quickly because of unusually high temperatures and dry weather.

It set off alerts of high fire danger across Tennessee, with the state Division of Forestry asking residents to seek permits earlier than usual for all open outdoor fires. 

Fire permits were temporarily suspended in Brentwood, Nolensville, Spring Hill and Dickson. 

Published 2:20 PM EDT Oct 6, 2019