If you’ve spent more than five minutes in Middle Tennessee, you know the drill. You wake up, check the window, and basically roll the dice. Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, isn't breaking that tradition.
Honestly, the weather in Clarksville right now is a bit of a mood. As of 4:38 AM, it’s a crisp 30°F outside. But don't let that number fool you. With a south wind blowing at 9 mph, the "feels like" temperature is actually sitting at a biting 21°F. It’s cloudy, it’s dark, and there’s a quiet 10% chance of some stray snow fluttering around while the rest of the city is still asleep.
The Friday Rollercoaster
The high for today is expected to hit 49°F. That sounds almost decent, right? Wrong. That’s the peak, but getting there involves a messy mix of rain and snow. We’re looking at a 45% chance of precipitation during the daylight hours.
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The wind is going to pick up too. Expect a southwest breeze around 15 mph. It’s that kind of damp cold that gets into your bones, the kind where a light jacket just doesn't cut it.
By the time the sun goes down, things actually clear up. The nighttime condition is looking clear, but the temperature will dip back down to 31°F. If you’re heading out tonight, the chance of snow drops to 35%, which is lower than the daytime, but still enough to keep you on your toes if you're driving near Wilma Rudolph or Tiny Town Road.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Clarksville Winters
People from up north laugh when they hear we’re worried about a 45% chance of snow. They don't get it. Clarksville isn't built for the "in-between."
We don't usually get those picturesque, dry snowfalls that stay pretty for a week. We get the "wintry mix." It’s that slushy, icy transition that happens when the temperature hovers right around the freezing mark. Today is a perfect example: a high of 49°F and a low of 31°F means everything that melts at noon is going to turn into a skating rink by 8:00 PM.
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Historical data shows us that January is consistently our toughest month. The average high is usually around 47°F, which makes today's 49°F feel almost normal, if a bit on the warm side. But the humidity is the real kicker. Today it’s sitting at 56%, which isn't as swampy as a July afternoon, but it’s enough to make that 31°F low feel significantly sharper.
Survival Tips for Today
- Layers are your best friend. You’ll need a heavy coat for the 21°F wind chill this morning, but you’ll be stripping it off if you’re running errands in the 49°F afternoon sun.
- Watch the bridges. With the "rain and snow" combo predicted, those overpasses near the Red River or the Cumberland can get slick fast, even if the main roads look fine.
- Check your tires. Cold snaps like this cause tire pressure to drop. If your "low air" light came on this morning, it's not a glitch; it's just January in Tennessee.
The humidity is expected to stay around 56%, and the UV index is a low 2. You won't need sunscreen, but you’ll definitely want some lip balm and a solid pair of boots for the slush.
Basically, today is a classic Clarksville transition day. It starts freezing, gets messy in the middle, and ends cold and clear.
Your Next Steps:
- Check your vehicle's antifreeze levels and tire pressure before the sun goes down and temperatures hit 31°F.
- Clear any debris from your gutters this afternoon during the 49°F window to prevent ice damming if the snow/rain mix sticks tonight.