Editor’s note: For the most up-to-date coverage of this winter weather in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, check out News 2’s latest weather article.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Snow has been ongoing across Middle Tennessee and south Kentucky with wind gusts running 35-40 mph (a gust to 44 mph earlier in Nashville). Wind chills will be dropping as low as -20 to -25 overnight.

A Winter Storm Warning has been extended into much of Middle TN from south KY from 6pm this evening to 6am Friday morning.

A Wind Chill Warning will go into effect Thursday evening through Friday afternoon for wind chills as lows as -20° to -25° Friday morning. The dangerously cold wind chills could result in hypothermia or frostbite if precautions are not taken. Wind chills will stay below zero overnight Friday night through Saturday morning.

The snow will be tapering off from west to east overnight.

Many areas will receive 1/2″ to 1″ of snow, but 1-2″ with pockets of 3″ is possible in our northern counties and eastern Middle TN. Parts of the Plateau could see 3-4″

By Friday morning we should see the actual temperatures running from around -2° to 5° for lows with wind chills -20 to -25. This is dangerous cold for anyone caught outdoors unprepared.

This significant change in the jet stream will send temperatures to the coldest we’ve seen since February 2021. Records will be in the ballpark, especially Friday.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

On Saturday, Dec. 24, some clouds linger but still very cold. Morning lows in the single digits (possibly colder if there is a snowpack on the ground), and highs in the teens and 20s. On Sunday, Dec. 25, expect single-digit to low teens for morning temperatures, reaching upper 20s near 30.

As mentioned above, we may not make it above freezing until Monday, Dec. 26, which would put us below freezing for almost 84 hours!

As far as preparation, you must have plenty of items to keep warm and to stay inside during this bitter cold. This includes keeping stocked on ready-to-eat food items (limited to no prep needed), layers of clothing in the event of a power loss, blankets, flashlights, etc. Click here for more information about what you can have in an emergency kit.