Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 32, NWS Nashville, TN

December 9, 2023Cheatham County, Robertson County, Tennessee

NWS Nashville, TN issued this tornado warning at Dec 9, 2023, 4:05 PM CST for Cheatham County, Robertson County, Tennessee. It was in force for 25 min. 5 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Dec 9, 2023, 4:05 PM CST (22:05 UTC)
Expired: Dec 9, 2023, 4:30 PM CST
In force: 25 min
Issued by: NWS Nashville, TN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Cheatham County, TN, Robertson County, TN

The radar

The Nashville radar (KOHX), 31 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:03 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Dec 9, 4:19 PM CST	TORNADO	Springfield, TN	* 4 INJ * This EF-2 tornado touched down near Fairway Trail and Kemper Court in southern Springfield. Moving northeast, the tornado snapped and uprooted trees along many residential streets and caused minor damage to a few homes. More significant damage to
Dec 9, 4:19 PM CST	TORNADO	Springfield, TN	* 4 INJ * This EF-2 tornado touched down near Fairway Trail and Kemper Court in southern Springfield. Moving northeast, the tornado snapped and uprooted trees along many residential streets and caused minor damage to a few homes. More significant damage to
Dec 9, 4:20 PM CST	TORNADO	Springfield, TN	This EF-2 tornado touched down near Fairway Trail and Kemper Court in Springfield. As it was snapping and uprooting hardwood trees in the area, the tornado encountered a home and collapsed its garage door. The tornado continued northeastward and as it approach
Dec 9, 4:21 PM CST	TORNADO	2 Sse Springfield, TN	Damage to industrial area.
Dec 9, 4:22 PM CST	TORNADO	2 S Springfield, TN	Tornado ongoing in Springfield.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 4 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 14 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Dec 9, 11:35 AM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 10.1 hours before the alert went out and 38 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 571 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 57 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 390 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 388 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

664 
WFUS54 KOHX 092205
TOROHX
TNC021-147-092230-
/O.NEW.KOHX.TO.W.0032.231209T2205Z-231209T2230Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Nashville TN
405 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Cheatham County in Middle Tennessee...
  Central Robertson County in Middle Tennessee...

* Until 430 PM CST.
    
* At 405 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Coopertown, or 9 miles southwest of Springfield,
  moving east at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Springfield and Coopertown around 410 PM CST.
  Greenbrier around 420 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Pleasant View and Orlinda.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 65 between mile markers 105 and 109.
 Interstate 24 between mile markers 20 and 30.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3663 8673 3646 8666 3643 8669 3641 8669
      3642 8675 3640 8676 3639 8678 3638 8679
      3637 8685 3638 8686 3637 8686 3637 8688
      3639 8689 3639 8691 3636 8691 3634 8705
      3647 8711
TIME...MOT...LOC 2205Z 255DEG 32KT 3643 8702 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Clements

1 follow-up statement

280 
WWUS54 KOHX 092218
SVSOHX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
418 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

TNC021-092228-
/O.CAN.KOHX.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-231209T2230Z/
Cheatham TN-
418 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CHEATHAM COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CST for Middle
Tennessee.

LAT...LON 3663 8673 3646 8666 3643 8669 3642 8675
      3640 8679 3639 8691 3638 8695 3651 8701
TIME...MOT...LOC 2218Z 253DEG 32KT 3647 8688 

$$

TNC147-092230-
/O.CON.KOHX.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-231209T2230Z/
Robertson TN-
418 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM CST FOR CENTRAL
ROBERTSON COUNTY...
    
At 418 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Springfield, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Springfield and Greenbrier around 425 PM CST.
  White House and Cross Plains around 430 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Orlinda.

This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 105 and 109.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3663 8673 3646 8666 3643 8669 3642 8675
      3640 8679 3639 8691 3638 8695 3651 8701
TIME...MOT...LOC 2218Z 253DEG 32KT 3647 8688 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$

Clements

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Nashville, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Dec 9, 1:02 PM CST, 3 hours 3 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 9, 1:02 PM CST, 3 hours 3 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Nashville TN
102 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM...

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Sunday Night)
Issued at 102 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

The forecast is on track with what will likely be an active
afternoon and evening. A 998 mb low is sitting over the Great
Lakes with a cold front stretching south through IN into AR. Dew
points in our area are up into the low 60s and we will continue to
see dew points into the mid 60s advect north ahead of the
approaching cold front. Scattered convection continues to become
more widespread over west TN along the front. Thunderstorms are
starting to push into our NW counties and will continue to push
east and should reach the Nashville metro between 4:30-7 PM and
the Cumberland Plateau after 6 PM.

MLCAPE ahead of the front is 500-1000 j/km on Meso Analysis and
0-6 km shear is greater than 50 knots. This will support
organized thunderstorms. Given the high shear wind will be the
primary threat with any of the stronger cells. We do see 0-1 km
shear 20-35 knots and this would support the potential for a few
tornadoes. The tornado threat does cover the entire area but looks
slightly more favorable along and west of I-24 where the highest
CAPE is expected. Profiles west of I-24 also look to remain a bit
more capped which will lower the tornado potential. Small hail is
likely with any thunderstorms but severe hail looks to remain on
the lower side as there isn't a ton of CAPE in the hail growth
zone.

Periods of heavy rain will be possible with thunderstorms also.
Rain totals across the area through the evening are looking to be
0.50-1.25" in the northwest to 1.25-2.0" in the southwest. The
majority of the precip will exit the area by midnight but a few
showers may linger overnight in eastern areas.

Be sure to monitor the weather today especially if you have
outdoor plans and have a plan to seek safe shelter if storms hit.

Cold air will be working in behind the front and we will see much
cooler temperatures on Sunday with highs only in the 40s. The
trough axis will be working through Middle TN during the afternoon
but moisture will be lacking and no precip is expected. Overnight
lows Sunday night will be chilly falling into the 20s.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday through next Saturday)
Issued at 102 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

Much quieter weather is expected for the rest of the week as zonal
flow develops. Temperatures for start of the week will remain
cold but will gradually warm throughout the week pushing back to
near seasonal norms by the middle of the week. An upper level
trough will kick out of the four corners region late week and that
will bring the return of rain chances next weekend.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1209 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

Strong storms will be moving through Middle TN this afternoon and
evening. Expect all terminals to experience strong gusty winds,
reduced visibilities, MVFR cigs, and lightning as this wave moves
from west to east from around 2PM to 11PM. Cigs will be slow to lift
after the passage of the front. Light rain may stick around through
early Sunday morning, then begin to clear off later in the day.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Nashville      38  46  28  49 / 100  20   0   0
Clarksville    36  43  26  48 /  50  10   0   0
Crossville     36  44  23  42 / 100  70   0   0
Columbia       38  45  26  49 / 100  30   0   0
Cookeville     37  43  25  43 / 100  60   0   0
Jamestown      36  43  24  41 / 100  60   0   0
Lawrenceburg   38  45  26  48 / 100  40   0   0
Murfreesboro   38  46  25  48 / 100  40   0   0
Waverly        35  44  26  48 /  50  10   0   0

&&

.OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

SHORT TERM...Mueller
LONG TERM....Mueller
AVIATION.....Whitehead

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 9, 1:37 PM CST, 2 hours 28 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
137 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0124 PM     Tornado          10 N Cumberland City    36.52N 87.67W
12/09/2023                   Stewart            TN   Emergency Mngr

            Powerlines down and debris in the road on
            Red Top Road north of Indian Mound. Debris
            signature was noted on radar. Time estimated
            by radar.

&&

RRH

Local storm report, Dec 9, 1:53 PM CST, 2 hours 12 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
153 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0143 PM     Tornado          4 NE Woodlawn           36.59N 87.45W
12/09/2023                   Montgomery         TN   Broadcast Media

            Webcam shows tornado and many reports. First
            observed debris on radar here.

&&

RRH

Local storm report, Dec 9, 1:54 PM CST, 2 hours 11 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
154 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0151 PM     Tornado          4 NNW Clarksville       36.61N 87.38W
12/09/2023                   Montgomery         TN   Public

            Tornado continues across northern portions
            of Clarksville, TN.

&&

RRH

Local storm report, Dec 9, 2:13 PM CST, 1 hour 52 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
213 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0200 PM     Tornado          7 NE Clarksville        36.64N 87.28W
12/09/2023                   Montgomery         TN   Public

            Tornado crossed into Kentucky around this
            location.

&&

RRH

Local storm report, Dec 9, 3:39 PM CST, 26 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
339 PM CST Sat Dec 9 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0332 PM     Tornado          4 ENE Slayden           36.31N 87.41W
12/09/2023                   Dickson            TN   Public

            Damage reported in northern part of Dickson
            County. Time and location estimated from
            tornado debris signature on radar.

&&

RRH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Nashville, TN issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Dec 9, 12:37 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Stewart	53 min
Dec 9, 1:11 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Houston, Montgomery, Stewart	64 min
Dec 9, 1:22 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Montgomery, Stewart	23 min
Dec 9, 1:43 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Montgomery	19 min
Dec 9, 2:08 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Houston, Humphreys	52 min
Dec 9, 2:39 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Houston, Humphreys	24 min
Dec 9, 2:53 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery	52 min
Dec 9, 2:57 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Dickson, Houston, Humphreys	63 min
Dec 9, 3:02 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Humphreys	28 min
Dec 9, 3:18 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Montgomery	27 min
Dec 9, 3:24 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Dickson, Humphreys	36 min
Dec 9, 3:38 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	OHX	Cheatham, Dickson, Montgomery, Robertson	37 min
Dec 9, 3:44 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Cheatham, Dickson	31 min
Dec 9, 3:52 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery	53 min
Dec 9, 4:06 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Cheatham, Dickson, Williamson	10 min
Dec 9, 4:09 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threat	OHX	Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Robertson	36 min
Dec 9, 4:21 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threat	OHX	Robertson, Sumner	39 min
Dec 9, 4:24 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Hickman, Humphreys, Lewis, Perry, Wayne	66 min
Dec 9, 4:36 PM CST	Tornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedConsiderable damage threat	OHX	Davidson, Sumner, Wilson	39 min
Dec 9, 4:47 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Robertson, Sumner	13 min
Dec 9, 5:12 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threat	OHX	Macon, Sumner, Trousdale	33 min
Dec 9, 5:27 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Hickman, Lewis, Maury, Williamson	35 min
Dec 9, 5:28 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Wayne	47 min
Dec 9, 5:35 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Lawrence	25 min
Dec 9, 5:46 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Clay, Macon	29 min
Dec 9, 5:48 PM CST	Areal Flood Advisory	OHX	Cheatham, Davidson, Macon, Robertson, Sumner, Trousdale	3 hr
Dec 9, 5:57 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	OHX	Clay, Jackson, Macon, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale	11 min
Dec 9, 5:57 PM CST	Tornado Warning	OHX	Lawrence, Wayne	33 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 2023 Every tornado warning in 2023 Tornadoes in 2023

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.