Cruz Medina
Meteorologist
Nashville, TN
Cruz joined WSMV in September 2022.
He attended North Carolina State University and studied Meteorology not too far from his hometown. Cruz served as an officer for NCSU Weather and did weekly forecasts for them during his time at NC State.
Most recently, he worked at WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin. During his time there, he covered plenty of winter weather and severe weather as well. During the winter months, it was brutally cold and snowed, what seemed like every other day. He is definitely experienced in the winter weather department.
Cruz's passion for forecasting and his love for weather began at the age of 5. He would watch storms roll in on the horizon with his grandpa and would run outside when it lightened and thundered (instead of staying inside as he should've). He always knew he wanted to study meteorology, but a tornado outbreak in April 2011 that impacted his hometown of Wilson, North Carolina, further solidified his passion for weather. Now he enjoys forecasting severe weather!
Cruz is an ambassador for the AMS Latinx Committee and is also a member of both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.
An isolated strong storm is possible in West Middle Tennessee this evening. Otherwise, expect drier weather by Sunday afternoon.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. The chance of the season being above normal, per that forecast, is 85%.
Partly to mostly sunny skies are expected each day this week.
Parts of Middle Tennessee are now in a moderate risk category for severe weather.
Major power outages are happening more frequently due to weather. This trend will likely continue in the years to come.
The heat is cranking up, so your air conditioning use will as well. There are some simple things you can do to save money this summer.
Middle Tennessee averages 10 tornadoes per year. A recent tornado outbreak made what was a quiet spring so far into an active season.
What was a quiet Spring quickly turned active with widespread severe weather during the May 8 outbreak. Has this been a normal year for severe weather?
After devastating flooding on May 8, a certain tool can tell you the flood forecast for rivers in your area. NOAA's National Water Prediction Service offers shows the current river levels, forecast river levels, and different flood stage impacts.
Unsettled weather returns to the forecast this week. Rain and storms are possible on multiple days.
Although it’s dry on Sunday, rain and storms return to the forecast next week. A strong storm can't be ruled out on Tuesday.
The threat for severe weather continues tonight
Tornadoes, large hail, flash flooding, and damaging winds all accompanied a severe weather outbreak that wreaked havoc on Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky.
Two radar-confirmed tornadoes were reported in Middle Tennessee Monday afternoon.
NOAA recently unveiled an experimental website, the National Water Prediction Service, which gives users access to water data and forecast information.
Tuesday and Wednesday are First Alert Weather Days for the possibility of strong-to-severe storms. Both days have the potential to produce damaging wind gusts, hail, and heavy rain. Flooding is also possible on Wednesday.
Unsettled weather continues with showers and storms possible each day. Wednesday could potentially be a First Alert Weather Day as storms could be strong.
Surviving The Storm, a 30-minute disaster preparedness special, provides important information to keep you safe during severe weather.
Highs could hit 90° the next few days, for the first time this year. Heat causes the most weather-related deaths each year, not floods or hurricanes.
The Spring season is historically the most active for tornadoes in Middle Tennessee, but December has recently become an active month
A new methane plant in Cheatham County has many folks worried. Methane has 80 times the warming power of Carbon Dioxide over a 20-year period which could cause us to warm quicker in the near-term.
It’ll be warm and muggy to start the week with rain and storms.
Above average temperatures and breezy conditions are on tap before rain returns next week. It will be a very warm and muggy week and very unsettled.
In the TVA’s 10-K report, released back in November of 2023, it was revealed that 42% of their total power generated was from Nuclear energy.
Temperatures are continuing to warm over the next few days. As we end out the work week, expect above average temperatures. Some rain is possible tonight into early Wednesday.
The EPA, under the Biden-Harris Administration, announced that utility companies would be required to reduce forever chemicals (PFAS) in drinking water to the lowest level they can actually be measured.
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 each year in the U.S. It is a great annual reminder of the state of our environment and the policies that are in place to protect it.
Cold temperatures have returned for the night. Frost is possible in many areas. Frost Advisories are in effect tonight until 8am on Monday.
Much cooler air sticks around to end the weekend. Highs will only be in the 60s for Sunday and Monday. Warmer temperatures return by Mid-week.
Excessive water withdrawal is threatening the most Biodiverse river in North America, the Duck River. The Duck River is home to 500 species of aquatic plants, 22 aquatic snail species, 56 mussel species, and 151 fish species.
Today is the anniversary of the April 16, 1998 tornado outbreak. 13 tornadoes impacted Middle Tennessee that day killing at least 4 Tennesseans. Tornado warnings were traditionally issued per county up until 2007. The National Weather Service (NWS) now operates off of a polygon-based warning system as of 2020.
Longer growing seasons are fueling longer allergy seasons. Warmer on-average temperatures are making for longer freeze-free days early and late in the growing season.
2 rounds of storms have prompted First Alert Weather Days for Tuesday and Wednesday. A strong storms or 2 cannot be ruled out with damaging winds being the primary threat.
A WalletHub study shows which states ranked the greenest. Tennessee and Kentucky ranked low on the list.
A First Alert Weather Day has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday due to the risk of a few strong storms across the Mid State. Damaging winds and heavy downpours are the main concerns.
Wet weather returns for the middle of the week with storms possible on Wednesday. A low-end threat for a strong thunderstorm exists late in the day and overnight on Wednesday.
Showers are possible tonight but more rain arrives by mid-week. Tuesday through Thursday will feature periods of scattered showers. 2-4" of rainfall is possible during that time period.
Sunday’s a day you’ll want to enjoy outside before several days featuring rain return to the forecast. Although storms are possible, severe weather is not expected at this time.
Tuesday is a First Alert Weather Day as strong storms are possible in the Mid State. All modes of severe weather are possible. The main threats are damaging winds and heavy downpours, but tornado cannot be ruled out.
While Nashville won’t be in the “path of totality," it will be in the 90% sector of the path.
The birds have already been sighted in Nashville and will likely increase in number as spring rolls on.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced earlier this year that they would deploy 200 Beta wildfire sensors to high-risk fire areas across the U.S. for testing and evaluation. According to the DHS, as wildfires become more frequent and severe, advanced sensors will allow first responders to suppress an initial blaze before it spreads, and grants time needed for communities to make life-saving evacuation decisions.
Monday and Tuesday are First Alert Weather Days as 45+ mph wind gusts are expected. In addition, rain and storms arrive Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Frost is possible tonight before a warm day on Sunday. Temperatures will drop down into the 30s tonight. Sunday afternoon is warmer before rain and storms return to start the week.
Today will feature above average temperatures with sunshine. Our next rain chance comes on Friday morning as our next weathermaker moves in.
Southwest winds are warming us up this afternoon but also increase our fire risk. Dry conditions are expected until Friday.
Spring begins tomorrow, but tonight, a hard freeze is in the forecast as temperatures will fall down into the 20s.
It’s about to turn cold just before Spring’s arrival. Frosty conditions are expected by morning with lows in the 30s. A hard freeze is expected Monday night into Tuesday morning as temperatures drop all the way down into the 20s.
A dry cold front will move through on Sunday with cooler temperatures expected to follow. A mix of sun and clouds and highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s are expected on St. Patrick’s Day. A widespread frost is likely by Monday morning.
