Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2025
Tornado Warning 63, NWS Nashville, TN
NWS Nashville, TN issued this tornado warning at May 20, 2025, 12:40 PM CDT for Lawrence County, Wayne County, Tennessee. It was in force for 50 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- May 20, 2025, 12:40 PM CDT (17:40 UTC)
- Expired
- May 20, 2025, 1:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 50 min
- Issued by
- NWS Nashville, TN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Lawrence County, TN, Wayne County, TN
The radar
The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 141 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 17:42 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.
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 nearest sounding before it
Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 5.7 hours before the alert went out and 154 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.
- 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
The text
As transmitted.
674
WFUS54 KOHX 201740
TOROHX
TNC099-181-201830-
/O.NEW.KOHX.TO.W.0063.250520T1740Z-250520T1830Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Morristown TN
1240 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Wayne County in Middle Tennessee...
Southwestern Lawrence County in Middle Tennessee...
* Until 130 PM CDT.
* At 1240 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located 8 miles northwest of Underwood-Petersville, or
12 miles northwest of Florence, moving east at 30 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...
Loretto around 105 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include St.
Joseph and Iron City.
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 3501 8780 3502 8778 3512 8740 3500 8738
TIME...MOT...LOC 1740Z 257DEG 26KT 3499 8776
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
DGS2 follow-up statements
783
WWUS54 KOHX 201801
SVSOHX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Morristown TN
101 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
TNC181-201811-
/O.CAN.KOHX.TO.W.0063.000000T0000Z-250520T1830Z/
Wayne TN-
101 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN WAYNE COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
&&
LAT...LON 3501 8761 3503 8761 3504 8758 3505 8758
3506 8759 3507 8759 3512 8740 3500 8738
TIME...MOT...LOC 1801Z 257DEG 26KT 3502 8757
$$
TNC099-201830-
/O.CON.KOHX.TO.W.0063.000000T0000Z-250520T1830Z/
Lawrence TN-
101 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN LAWRENCE COUNTY...
At 101 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 8 miles southwest of Loretto, or 14 miles northeast of
Florence, moving east at 30 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...
Loretto around 105 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include St.
Joseph and Iron City.
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 3501 8761 3503 8761 3504 8758 3505 8758
3506 8759 3507 8759 3512 8740 3500 8738
TIME...MOT...LOC 1801Z 257DEG 26KT 3502 8757
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
DGS384
WWUS54 KOHX 201819
SVSOHX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
119 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
TNC099-201830-
/O.CON.KOHX.TO.W.0063.000000T0000Z-250520T1830Z/
Lawrence TN-
119 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 PM CDT FOR SOUTH
CENTRAL LAWRENCE COUNTY...
At 119 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Loretto, or 12 miles south of Lawrenceburg, moving
east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Loretto and St. Joseph.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter now! Get to an
interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid
windows.
&&
LAT...LON 3502 8746 3509 8750 3512 8740 3502 8738
TIME...MOT...LOC 1819Z 252DEG 26KT 3508 8741
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
ShamburgerWhat 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 May 20, 11:33 AM CDT, 1 hour 7 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Updated at 1055 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
- There is an enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) for severe storms today. All modes of severe weather are possible, including damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes.
- Cooler temperatures move over the area Wednesday and through early next week along with some chances for showers and thunderstorms through the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, May 20, 11:33 AM CDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Nashville TN Issued by National Weather Service Morristown TN 1133 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1055 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025 - There is an enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) for severe storms today. All modes of severe weather are possible, including damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes. - Cooler temperatures move over the area Wednesday and through early next week along with some chances for showers and thunderstorms through the weekend. && .SHORT TERM... (Rest of today through Wednesday) Issued at 1055 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025 Our previously forecasted morning/early afternoon showers and thunderstorms are moving through Middle TN. As expected, the environment is not quite primed enough for any widespread severe storms. At this time, biggest impacts with any of these storms look to be gusty winds and heavy downpours as the line of storms arrive. We continue to monitor the severe threat with another round of storms is forecasted to impact our area later this afternoon through the evening. The question is, how much is the atmosphere going to recover from this mornings convection before the next round. Satellite imagery shows a sharp gradient of clear skies over W TN, just behind this mornings convection. This dry slot is expected to push east ahead of our advancing mid-level trough. As it does so, surface instability should increase. Additionally, strong deep- layer shear and surface to mid-level lapse rates will increase through the late afternoon. With these factors in place, this afternoon and evening's convection will have a better potential for severe storms. Storms move out of the area by 10 pm tonight, ushering in cooler and dryer air. Wednesday looks reasonably dry with highs in the upper 70s. Late Wednesday night, a shortwave lifts to the NE and brings increasing showers and thunderstorm chances across the SW. Not seeing any severe storm concerns with these at this time. && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday Night through next Tuesday) Issued at 1055 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025 Thursday and Friday remain mostly dry as a ridge builds to the SW. Cooler temperatures also stick around with highs in the 70s. Middle TN will remain on the backside of the ridge by the weekend with a short wave rolling over the ridge Sunday. This will introduce better rain chances back into the forecast, sticking around through early next week. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 614 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025 Unsettled weather will move into the area this morning with periods of MVFR/IFR due to thunderstorms. A line of showers and thunderstorms moves in from the west after 13z and will push east during the morning hours. Then a cold front will bring a line of widespread thunderstorms 21z through 05z 5/21. Otherwise, conditions will be VFR outside thunderstorms with SSW winds gust to 25KT at times. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Nashville 64 81 60 77 / 60 0 20 20 Clarksville 60 78 58 74 / 40 0 20 10 Crossville 61 73 54 70 / 80 10 10 30 Columbia 61 80 59 77 / 50 0 20 20 Cookeville 62 75 56 71 / 80 0 10 30 Jamestown 60 74 53 70 / 90 0 10 40 Lawrenceburg 61 79 58 77 / 60 0 20 20 Murfreesboro 63 80 58 77 / 70 0 20 20 Waverly 57 78 57 74 / 40 0 20 10 && .OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...Cravens LONG TERM....Cravens AVIATION.....13
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 20, 10:20 AM CDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Morristown TN
1020 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
TNZ025>027-057-059-201600-
Hickman TN-Williamson TN-Dickson TN-Davidson TN-Cheatham TN-
1020 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN DAVIDSON...SOUTHEASTERN
DICKSON...NORTHWESTERN WILLIAMSON...SOUTHEASTERN CHEATHAM AND
NORTHEASTERN HICKMAN COUNTIES THROUGH 1100 AM CDT...
At 1020 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Dickson to near Centerville. Movement was
east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Franklin, Forest Hills, Bon Aqua, Belle Meade, Bells Bend, Primm
Springs, Lyles, Whites Creek, Bellevue, and Natchez Trace At Highway
96.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3631 8680 3587 8682 3581 8708 3585 8721
3577 8722 3573 8741 3612 8739
TIME...MOT...LOC 1520Z 252DEG 37KT 3612 8734 3577 8736
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DGSSpecial weather statement, May 20, 10:41 AM CDT, 1 hour 59 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Morristown TN
1041 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
TNZ057-058-060-093-094-201630-
Hickman TN-Lawrence TN-Wayne TN-Lewis TN-Maury TN-
1041 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT LEWIS...NORTHEASTERN WAYNE...
NORTHERN LAWRENCE...WESTERN MAURY AND SOUTHEASTERN HICKMAN COUNTIES
THROUGH 1130 AM CDT...
At 1041 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northeast of Waynesboro, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Gordonsburg, Kimmins, Henryville, Hohenwald, Summertown, Mount
Pleasant, Hampshire, and Williamsport.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3555 8768 3557 8765 3561 8766 3580 8721
3545 8708 3546 8713 3542 8721 3532 8772
TIME...MOT...LOC 1541Z 249DEG 43KT 3543 8766
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DGSThe office that day
Everything else NWS Nashville, TN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 9:39 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Hickman, Perry | 36 min |
| May 20, 10:02 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Wayne | 43 min |
| May 20, 10:20 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OHX | Williamson | 40 min |
| May 20, 10:41 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OHX | Lewis | 49 min |
| May 20, 1:26 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OHX | Giles | 34 min |
| May 20, 1:59 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | OHX | Giles | 31 min |
| May 20, 2:14 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Giles | 15 min |
| May 20, 2:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Dickson, Hickman, Humphreys, Perry | 64 min |
| May 20, 3:02 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Hickman, Lewis, Maury | 28 min |
| May 20, 3:39 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Hickman | 36 min |
| May 20, 3:56 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Davidson, Dickson, Hickman, Maury, Williamson | 64 min |
| May 20, 3:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Coffee, Grundy | 62 min |
| May 20, 4:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Houston, Montgomery, Stewart | 67 min |
| May 20, 4:27 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Lawrence, Lewis, Maury | 33 min |
| May 20, 4:32 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Stewart | 28 min |
| May 20, 4:40 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Dickson, Houston, Humphreys | 54 min |
| May 20, 4:49 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Cannon, Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson | 56 min |
| May 20, 4:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Marshall, Maury, Williamson | 35 min |
| May 20, 5:11 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Montgomery, Robertson | 21 min |
| May 20, 5:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Cheatham, Dickson, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery and 2 more | 54 min |
| May 20, 5:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Bedford, Marshall, Rutherford | 37 min |
| May 20, 5:26 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Montgomery, Robertson | 34 min |
| May 20, 5:27 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | OHX | Davidson, Maury, Rutherford, Williamson | 4 hr |
| May 20, 5:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, Robertson, Sumner | 64 min |
| May 20, 5:39 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Cannon, DeKalb, Rutherford, Wilson | 66 min |
| May 20, 5:48 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Grundy, Warren | 42 min |
| May 20, 5:55 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Cannon, Coffee, Rutherford | 35 min |
| May 20, 6:06 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Cheatham, Davidson, Hickman, Maury, Rutherford, Sumner and 3 more | 54 min |
| May 20, 6:23 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OHX | Cheatham, Davidson, Maury, Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson | 3 hr |
| May 20, 6:24 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Rutherford | 51 min |
| May 20, 6:26 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | OHX | Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Robertson, Sumner, Trousdale and 1 more | 3 hr |
| May 20, 6:27 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Van Buren, Warren | 33 min |
| May 20, 6:30 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | Clay, Macon, Sumner, Trousdale | 25 min |
| May 20, 6:54 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Cumberland, Van Buren, White | 66 min |
| May 20, 6:58 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | OHX | DeKalb, Jackson, Putnam, Smith, White, Wilson | 47 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Tennessee, 2025Every tornado warning in 2025Tornadoes 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.