Is another winter storm coming to Tennessee? See latest forecasts

• Tennessee is recovering from a winter storm that caused power outages and hazardous road conditions.
• Another winter storm could bring more snow to the state from Friday night into Saturday.
• Forecasters predict dangerously cold temperatures will continue through the weekend, with single-digit lows expected.
• The incoming storm is not expected to be as disruptive as the previous one, but details are still uncertain.

Tennessee continues to reel after a winter storm dumped snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice across the state, crippling roads, snapping trees and power poles, downing power lines and stranding residents. 

Power outages are lingering in areas of Middle Tennessee as crews work to make repairs and remove debris. 

While temperatures have improved slightly during the daytime, though still well-below normal, the National Weather Service cautioned that melting is expected to be limited and refreezing could create hazardous travel overnight.

“Temperatures remain well below normal through the work week, with dangerously cold temperatures this weekend. Single digit lows are forecast Saturday and Sunday mornings,” the National Weather Service in Nashville warned, adding the possibility for a “low chance for light snow and/or flurries Friday afternoon through Saturday.”

Is another winter storm coming to Tennessee?

Another winter storm could affect Tennessee later this week, bringing a chance for snow from Friday night into Saturday, Jan. 30-31, though forecasters say it is still too early to pin down exact impacts.

According to the Weather Prediction Center, the developing system is expected to move out of the Ohio Valley on Friday, spreading snow across parts of Kentucky and the southern Appalachian Mountains Friday night, Jan. 30. Snow chances could then expand east into Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia early Saturday, Jan. 31, as the storm strengthens offshore.

More: Middle TN winter storm recovery continues, more cold on tap. The latest

Another winter storm could bring snow to parts of Tennessee late this week, with impacts possible from Friday night into Saturday, though forecasters say details are still coming into focus.

According to the Weather Prediction Center, the developing system is expected to move out of the Ohio Valley on Friday. As it does, snow could spread into parts of Kentucky and Tennessee Friday night, especially across eastern portions of the state and higher elevations.

Snow chances may increase early Saturday, Jan. 31, as the storm strengthens offshore, pulling colder air and moisture back into the region. Forecast guidance shows eastern Tennessee — including areas near the Smoky Mountains — has the highest chance of seeing accumulating snow, while snowfall amounts farther west remain less certain.

Uncertainty remains tied to the storm’s timing and track. Small changes in how quickly the system moves or how strong it becomes could keep heavier snow closer to the Appalachians or limit impacts across much of the state. In some scenarios, snowfall is lighter and more localized. In others, snow becomes more widespread across eastern Tennessee.

“Light snow is increasingly likely Friday evening to Saturday, especially in the eastern half of the region,” the National Weather Service in Knoxville said. “Extreme cold will return Saturday night through Sunday night, possibly colder than what has been seen in recent days.”

At this point, the incoming system is not expected to be as disruptive as the initial storm earlier this week. However, forecasters say bitter cold could linger into early next week, prolonging winter conditions even after the first storm fully exits the state.

This type of weather pattern does not typically produce major East Coast snowstorms, and many similar setups in the past have weakened or stayed offshore, according to the Weather Prediction Center. Still, forecasters note one historical comparison — March 1980 — produced heavy snow across parts of Virginia and eastern North Carolina, showing the upper end of what could happen if conditions align.

Forecasts are expected to evolve over the next several days as the storm moves closer.

How cold will temperatures get in Tennessee?

Tennessee weather watches and warnings

Tennessee snowfall tracker: Search past totals by address

USA TODAY’s snowfall map shows accumulation over the past 24, 48, and 72 hours, as well as seasonal totals dating back to Oct. 1. Updated multiple times a day, the map lets you toggle between timeframes to see how snow is adding up in your area.

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Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com. Find her on Facebook here.

(This story was updated to add a video.)