After a band of widespread rain and a few thunderstorms pushed through overnight into early this morning, most of Middle Tennessee is getting a break! This was round number #1 of several rounds to go!
You’ve heard us talking about Harvey impacting the Gulf coast with catastrophic flooding and devastation as early as last weekend up through this entire week. Well now, Middle Tennessee gets a share of what is left over. Harvey has weakened to a Tropical Depression, currently stationed over northeastern Louisiana, headed northeast at about 10 mph with max sustained winds at 30 mph. The center of Harvey is expected to push through overnight tonight into the first half of Friday. 
Here’s what you need to know to stay prepared. We are expected numerous rounds of heavy rain, a potential for strong to severe storms and a likely chance of flash flooding, especially across western Middle Tennessee.
Latest forecast models push Harvey a bit further east, bringing more rain a bit further east than initially anticipated. Though widespread rainfall accumulations are expected to be around the 2-4″ range, local amounts could clock in at 8″ for areas under the bright shade of orange.
The National Weather Service has expanded the Flash Flood Watch east, including the entire KY/TN border and most of our counties west of I-65 — in effect through 7 PM on Friday. These are the spots where flash flooding is most likely to occur.
As far as severe weather is concerned, the Storm Prediction Center includes areas south of the I-40 corridor to remain under a ‘Slight Risk’ for any storm to reach severe criteria. A few tornadoes later today is not out of question.
Once we roll into tomorrow, the severe weather threat diminishes to a ‘Marginal Risk’ for areas east of I-65 (level 1 of 5). 
Here’s a general timing for the rain and storms today through late tomorrow night…
Though widespread rain is still expected on Friday, the intensity of the storms weaken considerably with the center of Harvey pushing north of Tennessee.
Lingering moisture keeps some showers around early Saturday. After that, significantly drier and refreshing air works its way in and just in time for our holiday Labor Day weekend fun! Hang tight for that!
Meteorologist Paul Heggen will have an update on News 4 at noon today. Be sure to catch Chief Meteorologist Lisa Spencer for updates at 4, 5 ,6 and 10 tonight! I’ll be back with you dark and early tomorrow morning!
-Meteorologist Daphne DeLoren
