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Prepare Now: Ice, Snow, and Possible Power Outages Forecast for Maury County This Weekend

Issue #649

January 21, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Thursday Weather - Sunny w/ some clouds, high of 49, low of 30 👉 Stay tuned to Weather Down in Mule Town for your local weather updates!

🥶 Prepare Now: Ice, Snow, and Possible Power Outages Forecast for Maury County This Weekend

📰 $7.4B Korea Zinc Project Marks Largest Investment in Tennessee History

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Prepare Now: Ice, Snow, and Possible Power Outages Forecast for Maury County This Weekend

Winter Storm Fern is shaping up to be a high-impact weather event for Middle Tennessee, and local officials say the next few days are critical for preparation. This roundup pulls together guidance from trusted sources to help you get ready and stay safe.

From Maury County Office of Emergency Management’s post today…

We try our best to hold off until forecasts become relatively consistent; with that being said, we can say with confidence that our area will be impacted by Winter Storm Fern this weekend. Various models indicate we could be impacted my ice, snow, or both. Both precipitation types bring their own hazards, but there is one absolute certainty; conditions will deteriorate rapidly. We will not see a reprieve from freezing temperatures through at least the weekend. Please take the next few days to prepare for these conditions. Keep in mind a few things:

1. Forecasts are calling for snow and ice; one of the most obvious hazards is the loss of power; your eggs and flour will be useless. Buy shelf stable and low maintenance foods. 

2. There are some things that you just don't do; like using generators inside or within 20 feet of your house. Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. 

3. Snow and ice are different beasts. We are asking for you to stay home unless faced with a true emergency.

This is a potentially historic weather event. Remember, you do not need to be scared, you need to be prepared. Preparation looks differently for everyone. Look at the attached resources for more information on how to prepare for winter weather. 

Be patient, check on your neighbors, and be safe. 

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Nashville TN

200 PM CST Wed Jan 21 2026

Stewart-Montgomery-Robertson-Sumner-Macon-Clay-Pickett-Houston-Humphreys-Dickson-Cheatham-Davidson-Wilson-Trousdale-Smith-Jackson-Putnam-Overton-Fentress-Perry-Hickman-Lewis-Williamson-Maury-Marshall-Rutherford-Cannon-De Kalb-White-Cumberland-Bedford-Coffee-Warren-Grundy-Van Buren-Wayne-Lawrence-Giles-

Including the cities of Gainesboro, McEwen, Allardt, Centerville, Nashville, Smithville, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Tullahoma, Columbia, Pulaski, Waynesboro, Manchester, Goodlettsville, South Carthage, Carthage, Smyrna, Lawrenceburg, Mount Juliet, Cookeville, La Vergne, Waverly, Dover, Celina, Kingston Springs, New Johnsonville, Hendersonville, Spencer, Lobelville, Altamont, Hartsville, Lewisburg, Lafayette, Hohenwald, Livingston, Byrdstown, Sparta, Clifton, Springfield, Gordonsville, Erin, McMinnville, Jamestown, Clarksville, Ashland City, Gallatin, Franklin, Linden, Crossville, Coalmont, Dickson, Woodbury, Lebanon, and Tennessee Ridge

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow and ice possible. Total snow accumulations over 6 inches and ice accumulations over half an inch possible. Highest snow accumulations are favored for areas north of Interstate 40 with highest ice accumulations favored for areas south of Interstate 40.

* WHERE...A portion of Middle Tennessee.

* WHEN...From Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Expect power outages and tree damage due to the ice. Travel could be impossible.

From Weather Down in Muletown’s post…

Up to 1/2” of ice now…mainly south of I-40 (double from the previously forecasted 0.25”). 

Snow UP TO 6”, mainly north of I-40 (unchanged).

Pay attention to the last sentence, though: “Expect power outages and tree damage due to the ice. Travel could be impossible”

Please prepare for this, folks. We’re not out of the woods with less snow, not by any means. 

On the contrary, our area getting more ice will likely equal a worse scenario; especially if the ice accretion is greater than 0.25” and we end up seeing that 0.5” or more.

👉 Jeepers of Spring Hill are providing rides to essential workers in Franklin, Spring Hill & Columbia.

Text: 615-969-9687
-First and last name, address of pickup
-Address of destination
-Time you would like to be there
-Phone number

$7.4B Korea Zinc Project Marks Largest Investment in Tennessee History

Tennessee is poised for its largest capital investment ever after Korea Zinc announced plans for a $7.4 billion expansion of Middle Tennessee’s historic mining and refining operations.

The Seoul-based company will establish its U.S. headquarters in Clarksville, where it is acquiring an existing smelter, and plans to reopen and modernize zinc mining operations in Smith County, including the long-dormant Gordonsville mine. Two new refining facilities are also part of the plan.

The project is expected to create about 740 jobs and positions Middle Tennessee at the center of a national push to strengthen domestic production of critical minerals used in defense systems, semiconductors, and electric vehicles.

Business and economic leaders say the investment represents a major step toward reducing U.S. reliance on China, which currently dominates global rare earth mineral processing. For decades, much of that extraction and refining work moved overseas, leaving the U.S. dependent on foreign supply chains.

State officials say Korea Zinc’s decision reflects confidence in Tennessee’s workforce, infrastructure, and long-standing ties with South Korean companies, which have invested billions in the state over the past several years. South Korean firms have been Tennessee’s top source of foreign direct investment since 2019.

The Smith County mining complex once ranked among the most productive zinc sites in the country, and its revival is being viewed as both an economic and strategic win. Leaders also expect workforce partnerships with local colleges and training programs, similar to past collaborations with other major Korean manufacturers operating in the region.

With rare earth production targeted later this decade, officials say the focus now turns to preparing a skilled workforce to support what could become a cornerstone of Tennessee’s industrial future.   

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, January 22nd

Friday, January 23rd

Saturday, January 24th

Sunday, January 25th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, January 22nd
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s Spring Hill, 6–9 PM
The Resting - The Mulehouse, 6:30 PM
Gwynne Alden - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, January 23rd
Scotty Freel - Grinder’s Switch, 7–9 PM
Christian Chapman - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
Mika Lynch - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Pretty Grimm - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM

Saturday, January 24th
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Winter Series - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Austin Gray - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Twilight Train - Neil Diamond Tribute - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
TBA - The Boondox, 8 PM
Vintage Voltage - Gary’s Place (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM
MFT - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM

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