Winter Storm Fern Freezes Nashville, and Country Music Landmarks Go Into Safety Mode

Winter Storm Fern did not feel like a typical Nashville snow day. It turned into a weekend that forced the entire city to shut down.

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The National Weather Service reported Nashville measured eight inches of snow, ranking as the third-highest January snowfall on record. Snow quickly turned to sleet and freezing rain, creating dangerous road conditions and widespread damage to trees and power lines.

Power outages became one of the storm’s biggest impacts. At its peak, more than 230,000 Nashville Electric Service customers were without power. As of Tuesday morning, roughly 130,000 customers remain without electricity, with more than 180 broken utility poles reported across the service area as crews continue restoration efforts.

In a city where country music drives tourism and nightlife, major venues were affected. The Grand Ole Opry canceled its Saturday night ticketed performance due to unsafe travel conditions but continued as a live radio broadcast, prioritizing safety while keeping tradition alive. The Ryman Auditorium also postponed scheduled weekend shows, encouraging ticketholders to hold onto their tickets for rescheduled dates.

Country artists shared what they were seeing firsthand. Jessie James Decker, who has lived in Nashville since 2007, said she has “never seen anything like this,” noting that the clips she posted from her home only showed a small piece of what the city was experiencing. She also thanked line workers and first responders, acknowledging how tirelessly they have been working to help the community.

MARK ZALESKI/THE TENNESSEAN

Tim McGraw similarly shared that his “heart sank” waking up to storm damage across Nashville while expressing gratitude for those stepping up to support neighbors.

What made Storm Fern different wasn’t just the snowfall totals, but the scale of disruption across the city. When venues like the Opry and Ryman adjust operations, it signals a storm that reaches beyond inconvenience.

For a city built around stages and spotlights, the priority this weekend was practical: power restoration, road safety, and getting back online.