Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2025

Tornado Warning 67, NWS Nashville, TN

May 20, 2025Lawrence County, Lewis County, Maury County, Tennessee

NWS Nashville, TN issued this tornado warning at May 20, 2025, 4:27 PM CDT for Lawrence County, Lewis County, Maury County, Tennessee. It was in force for 33 min. 12 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, 4:27 PM CDT (21:27 UTC)
Expired
May 20, 2025, 5:00 PM CDT
In force
33 min
Issued by
NWS Nashville, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

Counties Lawrence County, TN, Lewis County, TN, Maury County, TN

The radar

The Nashville radar (KOHX), 106 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:28 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 20, 4:41 PM CDTHAIL 13 Ssw Mount Pleasant, TNQuarter size hail at Jackson Street in Mount Pleasant. Time estimated from radar.
May 20, 4:41 PM CDTHAIL 13 Ssw Mount Pleasant, TNQuarter size hail at Jackson Street in Mount Pleasant. Time estimated from radar.
May 20, 4:55 PM CDTHAIL 12 Wsw Columbia, TNQuarter size hail reported at Maury County EOC. Time estimated from radar.
May 20, 4:55 PM CDTHAIL 12 Wsw Columbia, TNQuarter size hail reported at Maury County EOC. Time estimated from radar.
May 20, 4:55 PM CDTHAIL 1.52 S Columbia, TNPing pong size hail reported at S James Campbell Blvd and Brooksmeade in Columbia.
May 20, 4:55 PM CDTHAIL 1.52 S Columbia, TNPing pong size hail reported at S James Campbell Blvd and Brooksmeade in Columbia.
May 20, 4:56 PM CDTHAIL 1.252 Sse Columbia, TNHail a little bigger than quarters reported in Columbia. Time estimated from radar.
May 20, 4:56 PM CDTHAIL 1.252 Sse Columbia, TNHail a little bigger than quarters reported in Columbia. Time estimated from radar.
May 20, 4:59 PM CDTHAIL 1.51 Se Columbia, TNReport from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50 in.).
May 20, 4:59 PM CDTHAIL 1.51 Se Columbia, TNReport from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50 in.).
May 20, 5:02 PM CDTHAIL 1.253 Ese Columbia, TNAt the Maury County office of emergency management.
May 20, 5:02 PM CDTHAIL 1.253 Ese Columbia, TNAt the Maury County office of emergency management.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 20, 2:36 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 93 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2025-05-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1162 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2025-05-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 114 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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.

588 
WFUS54 KOHX 202127
TOROHX
TNC099-101-119-202200-
/O.NEW.KOHX.TO.W.0067.250520T2127Z-250520T2200Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
427 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Lewis County in Middle Tennessee...
  Northeastern Lawrence County in Middle Tennessee...
  Southern Maury County in Middle Tennessee...

* Until 500 PM CDT.

* At 427 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a 
  tornado was located near Summertown, or 12 miles north of 
  Lawrenceburg, moving northeast at 45 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...
  Columbia, Henryville, Summertown, and Mount Pleasant.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to 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 3536 8742 3545 8748 3572 8707 3553 8691
TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 235DEG 39KT 3544 8736 

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

$$

Shamburger
2 follow-up statements
133 
WWUS54 KOHX 202137
SVSOHX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
437 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

TNC099-202147-
/O.CAN.KOHX.TO.W.0067.000000T0000Z-250520T2200Z/
Lawrence TN-
437 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN LAWRENCE 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 1000 PM CDT for Middle
Tennessee.

&&

LAT...LON 3545 8730 3545 8732 3546 8733 3551 8735
      3572 8707 3553 8691 3544 8722 3544 8723
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 235DEG 39KT 3551 8725 

$$

TNC101-119-202200-
/O.CON.KOHX.TO.W.0067.000000T0000Z-250520T2200Z/
Lewis TN-Maury TN-
437 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM CDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL LEWIS AND SOUTHERN MAURY COUNTIES...

At 437 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Mount Pleasant, or 13 miles southwest of Columbia,
moving northeast at 45 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...
Mount Pleasant and Columbia.

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 3545 8730 3545 8732 3546 8733 3551 8735
      3572 8707 3553 8691 3544 8722 3544 8723
TIME...MOT...LOC 2137Z 235DEG 39KT 3551 8725 

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

$$

Shamburger
108 
WWUS54 KOHX 202145
SVSOHX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
445 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

TNC101-202155-
/O.CAN.KOHX.TO.W.0067.000000T0000Z-250520T2200Z/
Lewis TN-
445 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL LEWIS 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 1000 PM CDT for Middle
Tennessee.

&&

LAT...LON 3550 8727 3556 8728 3572 8707 3553 8691
      3547 8714
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 240DEG 36KT 3553 8716 

$$

TNC119-202200-
/O.CON.KOHX.TO.W.0067.000000T0000Z-250520T2200Z/
Maury TN-
445 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

At 445 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Mount Pleasant, or 8 miles southwest of Columbia,
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...
Mount Pleasant and Columbia.

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 3550 8727 3556 8728 3572 8707 3553 8691
      3547 8714
TIME...MOT...LOC 2145Z 240DEG 36KT 3553 8716 

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

$$

Shamburger

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 May 20, 12:46 PM CDT, 3 hours 41 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 1237 PM 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, 12:46 PM CDT, 3 hours 41 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Morristown TN
1246 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1237 PM 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...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1237 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

Mixed bag this afternoon with SRB/CSV seeing showers and
thunderstorms with some marginal CIGs, while CKV/BNA/MQY are
seeing clearing skies behind a line of storms. Widespread VFR
conditions will prevail until after 21z when another round of
showers and thunderstorms move through the area. Storms have the
potential to be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and
tornadoes. Clearing conditions return after 00z. Strong NW winds
develops after 12z tonight.

&&

.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.....Cravens

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 20, 4:03 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
403 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0356 PM     Hail             2 NE Centerville        35.81N 87.43W
05/20/2025  M1.75 Inch       Hickman            TN   Local Official

            Golf ball size hail at Hickman County High
            School.

&&

RRH
Local storm report, May 20, 4:09 PM CDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
409 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0350 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NE Centerville        35.81N 87.43W
05/20/2025                   Hickman            TN   Public

            Trees reported down at Hickman County High
            School. Time estimated from radar.

&&
Local storm report, May 20, 4:13 PM CDT, 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
413 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0356 PM     Hail             7 SSW Bon Aqua          35.86N 87.36W
05/20/2025  M2.00 Inch       Hickman            TN   Public

            Two inch hail reported near TN 100 and TN
            230 north of Centerville. Time estimated
            from radar.

&&
Local storm report, May 20, 4:21 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
421 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0414 PM     Hail             5 SSW Fairview          35.91N 87.16W
05/20/2025  E1.75 Inch       Williamson         TN   Public

            Estimated golf ball size hail in Primm
            Springs. Time estimated from radar.

&&
Local storm report, May 20, 4:23 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
423 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0354 PM     Hail             2 NE Centerville        35.81N 87.43W
05/20/2025  E2.00 Inch       Hickman            TN   Public

            Estimated 2 inch hail near Centerville
            Middle School. Time estimated from radar.

&&
Local storm report, May 20, 4:24 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
424 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0400 PM     Hail             3 NW Centerville        35.82N 87.48W
05/20/2025  E1.00 Inch       Hickman            TN   Public

            Public report of penny to quarter sized hail
            near Elkins Rd in Centerville.

&&

TMB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 20, 9:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXHickman, Perry36 min
May 20, 10:02 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXWayne43 min
May 20, 10:20 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOHXWilliamson40 min
May 20, 10:41 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOHXLewis49 min
May 20, 12:40 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXLawrence, Wayne50 min
May 20, 1:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOHXGiles34 min
May 20, 1:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementOHXGiles31 min
May 20, 2:14 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXGiles15 min
May 20, 2:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXDickson, Hickman, Humphreys, Perry64 min
May 20, 3:02 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedOHXHickman, Lewis, Maury28 min
May 20, 3:39 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXHickman36 min
May 20, 3:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOHXDavidson, Dickson, Hickman, Maury, Williamson64 min
May 20, 3:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXCoffee, Grundy62 min
May 20, 4:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXHouston, Montgomery, Stewart67 min
May 20, 4:32 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXStewart28 min
May 20, 4:40 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXDickson, Houston, Humphreys54 min
May 20, 4:49 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Destructive damage threatOHXCannon, Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson56 min
May 20, 4:55 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXMarshall, Maury, Williamson35 min
May 20, 5:11 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXMontgomery, Robertson21 min
May 20, 5:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXCheatham, Dickson, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery and 2 more54 min
May 20, 5:23 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXBedford, Marshall, Rutherford37 min
May 20, 5:26 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXMontgomery, Robertson34 min
May 20, 5:27 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOHXDavidson, Maury, Rutherford, Williamson4 hr
May 20, 5:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXCheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, Robertson, Sumner64 min
May 20, 5:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOHXCannon, DeKalb, Rutherford, Wilson66 min
May 20, 5:48 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXBedford, Cannon, Coffee, Grundy, Warren42 min
May 20, 5:55 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXCannon, Coffee, Rutherford35 min
May 20, 6:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXCheatham, Davidson, Hickman, Maury, Rutherford, Sumner and 3 more54 min
May 20, 6:23 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXCheatham, Davidson, Maury, Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson3 hr
May 20, 6:24 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXBedford, Cannon, Coffee, Rutherford51 min
May 20, 6:26 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXCheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Robertson, Sumner, Trousdale and 1 more3 hr
May 20, 6:27 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXVan Buren, Warren33 min
May 20, 6:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXClay, Macon, Sumner, Trousdale25 min
May 20, 6:54 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXCumberland, Van Buren, White66 min
May 20, 6:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXDeKalb, Jackson, Putnam, Smith, White, Wilson47 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.