Nashville area weather updates: Flash flood warning in effect for parts of Middle Tennessee

Nashville and the Middle Tennessee region are facing multiple rounds of potentially severe thunderstorms on Wednesday through early Thursday morning. Damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding, and tornadoes are all possible, according to the National Weather Service.

The threat of flash flooding is higher for areas that have already experienced or will experience periods of heavy rain, mainly along and north of Interstate 40.

"There is still a lot of uncertainty as with any forecast," the weather service said in a news release. "Things will not be bad for every single person in Middle TN, but some people could have a bad day/night if the right storm ingredients come together."

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Some Middle Tennessee schools cancel after school activities due to severe weather

Cheatham County schools announced on social media that all after school activities will be canceled on Wednesday, May 8. Daycares will close at 5 p.m.

Houston County Schools announced early dismissal at 2 p.m. while Stewart County Schools announced closure at 1:30 p.m.

Robertson County schools also canceled after school activities. The school system announced on social media that after school daycares will close at 4 p.m.

Sumner County Schools also canceled after school activities.

Flash flood warning issued for Middle Tennessee counties

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Smith County and northern Wilson County until 1:15 p.m.

The area in the warning has already received between 1 and 3 inches of rain, the weather service said.

"Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly," according to the advisory. "Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."

National Weather Service: Storms will come in waves

Do not be deceived, just because that first wave of rain is over more is on the way, the weather service said.

"We've already seen severe storms across Middle Tennessee this morning," the weather service said on social media. "Although storms will decrease into midday, they will increase again this afternoon/evening when the main threat of damaging winds, large hail, flooding and a few tornadoes is expected."

The weather service signed off on their note with a simple message.

"Keep staying weather aware today," they said.

National Weather Service issues flood watch for Middle Tennessee

A flood watch is in effect until 7 a.m. on Thursday for most of Middle Tennessee.

Multiple rounds of thunderstorms will bring heavy rain. Nashville and surrounding areas are expected to receive between two and three inches of rain, however, amounts could be higher during heavy downpours, the weather service said. Rivers, creeks and streams are expected to rise.

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National Weather Service: 'This is not a one and done day'

According to the weather service, severe weather is to be expected throughout most of the day on Wednesday and overnight.

Until the evening hours, thunderstorms will be scattered and not everyone will see them. However, during the overnight hours (midnight to 6 a.m.), the storms will become widespread and everyone will likely see them at some point. The threat of damaging winds will be higher with this round. Severe storms are possible with all rounds, the service said.

A few, strong tornadoes are also possible. Nashville and the surrounding areas are at moderate risk. The weather service is also warning of potentially golf ball-sized hail and damaging wind gusts of 70 mph.

Nashville area radar

Nashville forecast

Wednesday: Severe weather threat enhanced with two rounds of storms from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. then 10 p.m. through sunrise. A few tornados, large hail and damaging winds possible. Highs around 84 with overnight lows around 66.

Thursday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. then mostly sunny with highs near 82. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight with lows around 55.

Friday: Sunny with a high near 69 and wind gusts as high as 20 mph. Overnight lows around 51.

Saturday: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m., sunny and highs near 74 with over night lows around 52.

Sunday: Sunny with a high near 76 and lows around 54.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville severe weather updates: Tornadoes risk; flood warning issued