Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2025

Tornado Warning 147, NWS Memphis, TN

May 20, 2025Benton County, Carroll County, Henderson County, Tennessee

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at May 20, 2025, 4:09 PM CDT for Benton County, Carroll County, Henderson County, Tennessee. It was in force for 51 min. 2 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: May 20, 2025, 4:09 PM CDT (21:09 UTC)
Expired: May 20, 2025, 5:00 PM CDT
In force: 51 min
Issued by: NWS Memphis, TN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.0 in

Counties Benton County, TN, Carroll County, TN, Henderson County, TN

The radar

The Ft Campbell radar (KHPX), 105 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:12 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
May 20, 4:18 PM CDT	HAIL 2	2 S Buena Vista, TN	photo of significant hail (looks like 2 inches) in the Buena Vista community of Carroll County. time is radar estimated.
May 20, 4:35 PM CDT	HAIL 1.5	3 S Camden, TN	Video of pingpong ball sized hail and strong wind gusts.

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

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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
May 20, 1:09 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 133 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: 1162 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -41 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 904 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 58 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 114 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 137 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.9
Supercell composite: 3.9

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

193 
WFUS54 KMEG 202109
TORMEG
TNC005-017-077-202200-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0147.250520T2109Z-250520T2200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Memphis TN
409 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Henderson County in west Tennessee...
  Benton County in west Tennessee...
  Eastern Carroll County in west Tennessee...

* Until 500 PM CDT.

* At 409 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Parkers Crossroads, or 10 miles northwest of
  Natchez Trace State Park, moving northeast at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

  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.

* Locations impacted include...
  Westport, Hollow Rock, Hillard, Parker's Cross Roads, Camden,
  Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, Clarksburg, Parkers Crossroads,
  Dollar, Jumbo, Scott Hill, Bruceton, Holladay, Leach, Wildersville,
  Huntingdon, Tate, Garretsburg, Palmer Shelter, and Yuma.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter 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 3613 8792 3605 8799 3600 8800 3597 8802
      3594 8800 3594 8793 3591 8793 3584 8811
      3584 8818 3582 8818 3573 8843 3595 8856
      3614 8821 3612 8821 3615 8818 3618 8816
      3630 8795 3627 8794 3622 8795 3616 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 2109Z 242DEG 36KT 3586 8840 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

AEH

4 follow-up statements

906 
WWUS54 KMEG 202111 RRB
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
411 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

TNC005-017-077-202200-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0147.000000T0000Z-250520T2200Z/
Henderson TN-Benton TN-Carroll TN-
411 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN HENDERSON...BENTON AND EASTERN CARROLL COUNTIES...

At 411 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Wildersville, or 9 miles south of Huntingdon, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

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.

Locations impacted include...
Westport, Hollow Rock, Hillard, Parker's Cross Roads, Camden, Nathan
Bedford Forrest State Park, Clarksburg, Parkers Crossroads, Dollar,
Scott Hill, Bruceton, Holladay, Leach, Wildersville, Huntingdon,
Tate, Garretsburg, Palmer Shelter, Yuma, and Buena Vista.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter 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 3613 8792 3605 8799 3600 8800 3597 8802
      3594 8800 3594 8793 3591 8793 3584 8811
      3584 8818 3582 8818 3574 8841 3596 8854
      3614 8821 3612 8821 3615 8818 3618 8816
      3630 8795 3627 8794 3622 8795 3616 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 242DEG 36KT 3587 8838 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

AEH

462 
WWUS54 KMEG 202122
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
422 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

TNC005-017-077-202200-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0147.000000T0000Z-250520T2200Z/
Henderson TN-Benton TN-Carroll TN-
422 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN HENDERSON...BENTON AND EASTERN CARROLL COUNTIES...

At 421 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 7 miles south of Bruceton, or 10 miles southeast of
Huntingdon, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail.

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.

Locations impacted include...
Westport, Hollow Rock, Camden, Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park,
Dollar, Bruceton, Holladay, Garretsburg, Yuma, Buena Vista, Big
Sandy, New Johnsonville, and Huntingdon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter 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 3613 8792 3605 8799 3600 8800 3597 8802
      3594 8800 3594 8793 3591 8793 3584 8811
      3584 8818 3582 8818 3577 8833 3605 8838
      3614 8821 3612 8821 3615 8818 3618 8816
      3630 8795 3627 8794 3622 8795 3616 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 2121Z 242DEG 36KT 3592 8826 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN

$$

AEH

388 
WWUS54 KMEG 202136
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
436 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

TNC017-077-202146-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0147.000000T0000Z-250520T2200Z/
Henderson TN-Carroll TN-
436 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN HENDERSON AND EASTERN CARROLL
COUNTIES 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 800 PM CDT for west
Tennessee.

&&

LAT...LON 3605 8799 3600 8800 3597 8802 3594 8800
      3594 8793 3591 8793 3584 8810 3585 8821
      3588 8823 3589 8822 3612 8821 3615 8818
      3618 8816 3630 8795 3627 8794 3622 8795
      3616 8792 3613 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 2136Z 242DEG 36KT 3599 8810 

$$

TNC005-202200-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0147.000000T0000Z-250520T2200Z/
Benton TN-
436 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM CDT FOR BENTON
COUNTY...

At 436 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Camden, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

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.

Locations impacted include...
Camden, Holladay, Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, Big Sandy, and
New Johnsonville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter 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 3605 8799 3600 8800 3597 8802 3594 8800
      3594 8793 3591 8793 3584 8810 3585 8821
      3588 8823 3589 8822 3612 8821 3615 8818
      3618 8816 3630 8795 3627 8794 3622 8795
      3616 8792 3613 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 2136Z 242DEG 36KT 3599 8810 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN

$$

CMA

191 
WWUS54 KMEG 202154
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
454 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

TNC005-202204-
/O.EXP.KMEG.TO.W.0147.000000T0000Z-250520T2200Z/
Benton TN-
454 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR BENTON COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 500 PM CDT...

The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT for west
Tennessee.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
Benton County.

&&

LAT...LON 3605 8799 3600 8800 3597 8802 3594 8800
      3594 8793 3591 8793 3584 8810 3585 8821
      3588 8823 3589 8822 3612 8821 3615 8818
      3618 8816 3630 8795 3627 8794 3622 8795
      3616 8792 3613 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 242DEG 36KT 3607 8791 

$$

AEH

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 Memphis, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 20, 2:22 PM CDT, 1 hour 47 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Updated at 205 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
A Tornado Watch is in effect until 8PM for all of the Mid-South. Large hail, damaging winds, and a strong tornado or two are the main threats.
Cooler and less humid conditions will follow for Wednesday through Friday behind a cold front. A low chance of showers will occur late Wednesday as another cold front moves across the region.
Better Chances for thunderstorms will return to the Mid-South this weekend as an upper level disturbance moves through.

Area forecast discussion, May 20, 2:22 PM CDT, 1 hour 47 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
222 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...New MESOSCALE UPDATE, DISCUSSION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 205 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

- A Tornado Watch is in effect until 8PM for all of the Mid-South.
  Large hail, damaging winds, and a strong tornado or two are the
  main threats.

- Cooler and less humid conditions will follow for Wednesday
  through Friday behind a cold front. A low chance of showers will
  occur late Wednesday as another cold front moves across the
  region.

- Better Chances for thunderstorms will return to the Mid-South
  this weekend as an upper level disturbance moves through.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(This evening through next Monday)
Issued at 205 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

The airmass has recovered well over the past 3 hours as skies
cleared quickly behind this morning's storms. Hi-res model
guidance has handled the overall radar trends well from this
morning and shows scattered to numerous thunderstorms this
afternoon and evening.

A SW to NE gradient of MLCAPE is currently stretched over the
area. Current values range from 2500 J/kg over SE AR and NW MS to
1500 J/kg near TN/KY border. Deep layer shear remains plentiful
with 50 to 65 knots across the entire area. The current upscale
growth limiting factors are low level shear (<150 effective SRH)
and mid level lapse rates (around 6 C/km). As a 70 knot mid level
jet rounds the base of the main trough, better lapse rates and low
level shear will increase over the next couple of hours over much
of the area. The most favorable location of overlapping shear and
instability will reside along and south of I-40 through this
evening.

The most robust storms are currently moving across south central
Arkansas and will likely move into SW portions of the Mid-South
over hour or so. Storm motion is currently SW to NE, but expected
to become more westerly by late afternoon as the mid level jet
overspreads the area. This will not only accelerate storm motion,
but will most likely shift storm mode from discrete supercellular
to more linear with bowing line segments. All hazards are anticipated
within this regime including damaging winds, large hail, and a
few strong tornadoes (EF-2+).

The threat of severe weather will end just after sunset as the
main shortwave swings through the region. A cold front will
quickly swing in behind the storms and begin to advect in drier
and cooler air through tomorrow morning.

The models continue to hit on a few showers Wednesday night into
early Thursday morning as a shortwave and associated cold front
moves across the area. Much drier air will move in for Thursday
and Friday, with highs in the 70s and lows in the upper 40s and
lower 50s.

Unsettled weather will begin as early as Friday night and continue
through early next week as several upper level disturbances rotate
through the region.

AC3

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1240 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

Main concern this TAF issuance remains convection moving across
the airspace this afternoon into evening. CAMs continue to
struggle with intensity and exact timing of thunderstorms,
though, went ahead and upgraded PROB30s to TEMPOs given the
environment. VFR conditions are expected to prevail, though, a
few brief drops to MVFR can't be ruled out. Behind the boundary
bringing the aforementioned convection, skies will clear pretty
rapidly. Southwest winds will remain gusty, up to 25 kts, through
around sunset when winds begin shifting west/northwest.

AEH

&&

.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...None.
MO...None.
MS...None.
TN...None.
&&

PUBLIC FORECAST...AC3
AVIATION...AEH

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 20, 3:03 PM CDT, 1 hour 6 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
303 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0228 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 SSE Bargerton         35.68N 88.46W
05/20/2025                   Henderson          TN   911 Call Center

            Trees down on Sand Ridge Bargerton Rd.

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 3:07 PM CDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
307 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0222 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NNW Oxford            34.40N 89.55W
05/20/2025                   Lafayette          MS   Emergency Mngr

            tree through a house on Britton Drive. time
            is radar estimated.

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 3:40 PM CDT, 29 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
340 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0319 PM     Hail             5 SE Osceola            35.65N 89.94W
05/20/2025  M1.25 Inch       Mississippi        AR   Public

            half dollar sized hail at Big River Steel.

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 3:47 PM CDT, 22 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
347 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0317 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     5 W Bemis               35.60N 88.92W
05/20/2025                   Madison            TN   Amateur Radio

            Roof damage noted to the TBI/TN hwy patrol
            building and additional damage noted at the
            Kirklands warehouse just west of MKL off
            Smith Lane. Time is radar estimated.
            Possible tornado.

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 3:54 PM CDT, 15 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
354 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0345 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Martin                  36.34N 88.86W
05/20/2025                   Weakley            TN   Fire Dept/Rescue

            tree down on a house on Lee Street in
            Martin. time is radar estimated.

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 3:58 PM CDT, 11 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
358 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0244 PM     Hail             Wynne                   35.23N 90.78W
05/20/2025  M1.75 Inch       Cross              AR   Cocorahs

            golf ball sized hail on Falls Blvd. time is
            radar estimated.

&&

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 20, 6:22 AM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	MEG	Shelby	3 hr
May 20, 8:13 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Hardeman	47 min
May 20, 8:29 AM CDT	Tornado Warning	MEG	Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy	46 min
May 20, 9:17 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, McNairy	43 min
May 20, 9:54 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Hardin, McNairy	39 min
May 20, 9:59 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Decatur, Hardin	31 min
May 20, 9:59 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Decatur, Hardin	31 min
May 20, 2:16 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MEG	Henderson, Madison	29 min
May 20, 2:25 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Lauderdale, Tipton	50 min
May 20, 2:26 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Benton, Carroll, Decatur, Henderson	49 min
May 20, 2:40 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Benton, Decatur, Henderson	35 min
May 20, 3:04 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Carroll, Crockett, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson, Madison	41 min
May 20, 3:05 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Lake, Obion, Weakley	40 min
May 20, 3:10 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MEG	Carroll, Gibson, Henderson, Madison	50 min
May 20, 3:11 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Lauderdale, Tipton	49 min
May 20, 3:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Shelby, Tipton	47 min
May 20, 3:42 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Henry, Obion, Weakley	48 min
May 20, 3:52 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Fayette, Haywood, Shelby, Tipton	38 min
May 20, 3:58 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Benton, Carroll, Henderson, Henry	47 min
May 20, 4:10 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Benton, Henry, Weakley	50 min
May 20, 4:16 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Carroll, Crockett, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson, Henry and 2 more	44 min
May 20, 4:29 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Madison	31 min
May 20, 4:53 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	MEG	Benton, Carroll, Chester, Decatur, Henderson, Henry and 1 more	52 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 2025 Every tornado warning in 2025 Tornadoes in 2025

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.