Weather! Cool Mother’s Day in store, and how you can help Nashville

Before I talk about that, I wanted to call attention to the ongoing situation in Nashville. For those that aren’t aware, last weekend, the Nashville area received more than 13″ of rain. This shattered the previous 2-day rain record for the city of 6.68,” and caused significant flooding across the region. The Cumberland River crested at 51.86 feet just four days ago, regions in vicinity of the river.

May 7, 2010; 1:13 PM • by Weather Dan

Before I talk about that, I wanted to call attention to the ongoing situation in Nashville. For those that aren’t aware, last weekend, the Nashville area received more than 13” of rain. This shattered the previous 2-day rain record for the city of 6.68,” and caused significant flooding across the region. The Cumberland River crested at 51.86 feet just four days ago, regions in vicinity of the river.

The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore posted several photos of the damage via Twitter, and Boston.com’s The Big Picture blog has a photo essay of damage around the Nashville area. Richmonder @Jeb_Hoge has been providing numerous updates via his Twitter feed.

There’s a local connection to all of this. Shane and Kristin Jimison have connections to a couple in Nashville that lost everything; they were forced to leave their home with literally only the clothes they were wearing. They’re looking for donations, and have graciously agreed to take care of shipping the items to Nashville.

• He wears a medium shirt, 36×32/large pants, size 11 shoes.
• She wears a size 10/medium shirt, size 2 shoes.
• They also need all sorts of household items – if you can think of it they probably need it. Socks, underwear, dishes, cookware, linens, towels…everything. Gift cards also work great.

You can drop donations beginning Monday, May 10 at the Jimison/Homiller Law Office, located at 4124 E Parham Road. Or if you want to mail something directly, contact Kristin at kristinjimison@gmail.com and she’ll give you the info you need.

Here are several groups that you can contact to help in a more general way:

• The Community Foundation
• Hands On Nasville
• Middle Tennessee Red Cross
• Nashville Area Salvation Army

It’s been said many times before, but every little bit you can offer does help, and I know those in Nashville appreciate anything you can offer.

In Richmond, there’s no immediate threat of rain. We’re short on rain for the month already, but it means that we’ve got another weekend of sunny skies ahead. Friday is looking like another clear day with some scattered clouds. Highs today will be in the low 80s with a light breeze. Been thinking about blowing off work? Today might be the day to do it, though don’t tell anyone that I suggested it. There’s not much cool-off tonight, as lows only drop into the mid 60s. Dewpoint temperatures will pick up later this evening as high pressure moves off the coast.

A cold front approaches the area Saturday afternoon. Clouds will increase ahead of the front Saturday morning, but temperatures will still climb into the low 80s. Winds will also pick up overnight Friday night into Saturday morning, making for a breezy time at the Komen Race for the Cure or the Strawberry Street Festival. There’s a hint of a chance of precipitation Saturday morning as well, but I don’t think much will come of it. Once the front passes, most of the clouds will lift and we’ll get partly cloudy skies for the rest of the day. The real cool off happens Saturday night, when low temperatures fall into the mid 40s under clear skies.

If you’ve got plans for Mother’s Day brunch, or any other outdoor activity, don’t expect the same warm, 80+ degree days we’ve had for the last week. Highs Sunday will struggle to reach 70, topping out in the upper 60s. We’ll have clear skies and a light breeze, so it will be a gorgeous day nonetheless. Not a chance of rain in sight, and there won’t be many clouds either. Temperatures Sunday night will drop back into the 40s.

I’m keeping an eye on Tuesday and Wednesday next week as our next chance to see any sort of rain. Check back Monday for my next update.

May 7, 2010 1:13 PM 0