Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City schools will close early today because of the threat of severe weather.

Rutherford County Schools will close two hours early.

Murfreesboro City Schools will be closing on its half-day schedule today. Children enrolled in ESP should be picked up early if possible.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a high risk of severe thunderstorms for a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms for Middle Tennessee today and tonight.

The best overall chance of severe thunderstorms will be during the afternoon and evening hours. Main threats with severe thunderstorms that develop will be damaging winds with large hail and strong, long-track tornadoes, especially across the northern portions of the mid state.

A wind advisory will also be in effect.

Also, the City of La Vergne will open the Multipurpose Building, located behind City Hall at 5093 Murfreesboro Road in advance of severe weather. It will open at noon.

Residents, who live in a mobile home or feel the need to be in a different location during the storms, are asked to come to the building, which will be open to the public.