Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2025
Tornado Warning 73, NWS Nashville, TN
NWS Nashville, TN issued this tornado warning at May 20, 2025, 5:48 PM CDT for 5 counties in Tennessee. It was in force for 42 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, 5:48 PM CDT (22:48 UTC)
- Expired
- May 20, 2025, 6:30 PM CDT
- In force
- 42 min
- Issued by
- NWS Nashville, TN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.5 in
Counties Bedford County, TN, Cannon County, TN, Coffee County, TN, Grundy County, TN, Warren County, TN
The radar
The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:50 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, 5:50 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 E Wartrace, TN | Trees and powerlines down in the Knob Creek and White Road areas east of Wartrace. Time estimated from radar. |
| May 20, 5:50 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 E Wartrace, TN | Trees and powerlines down in the Knob Creek and White Road areas east of Wartrace. Time estimated from radar. |
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, 2:36 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 80 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.
779
WFUS54 KOHX 202248
TOROHX
TNC003-015-031-061-177-202330-
/O.NEW.KOHX.TO.W.0073.250520T2248Z-250520T2330Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
548 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southwestern Warren County in Middle Tennessee...
Central Coffee County in Middle Tennessee...
East central Bedford County in Middle Tennessee...
Northwestern Grundy County in Middle Tennessee...
South central Cannon County in Middle Tennessee...
* Until 630 PM CDT.
* At 548 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 9 miles west of Manchester, moving east at 35 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.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Manchester around 555 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Morrison, Beechgrove, Normandy, Viola, Summitville, Wartrace, Bell
Buckle, Centertown, and Altamont.
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 3544 8631 3560 8635 3577 8574 3549 8568
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 252DEG 30KT 3551 8624
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
Shamburger1 follow-up statement
060
WWUS54 KOHX 202314
SVSOHX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
614 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
TNC003-061-202324-
/O.CAN.KOHX.TO.W.0073.000000T0000Z-250520T2330Z/
Bedford TN-Grundy TN-
614 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL BEDFORD AND NORTHWESTERN
GRUNDY COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened.
moved out of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been
cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for Middle
Tennessee.
&&
LAT...LON 3554 8601 3568 8605 3577 8574 3554 8569
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 252DEG 39KT 3559 8592
$$
TNC015-031-177-202330-
/O.CON.KOHX.TO.W.0073.000000T0000Z-250520T2330Z/
Warren TN-Coffee TN-Cannon TN-
614 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN WARREN...NORTHEASTERN COFFEE AND SOUTHEASTERN CANNON
COUNTIES...
At 614 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Morrison, or 10 miles southwest of McMinnville,
moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar 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...
McMinnville, Morrison, Summitville, Viola, and Centertown.
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 3554 8601 3568 8605 3577 8574 3554 8569
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 252DEG 39KT 3559 8592
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 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, 12:46 PM CDT, 5 hours 2 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, 5 hours 2 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, 5:13 PM CDT, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
513 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0440 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Dover 36.48N 87.88W
05/20/2025 Stewart TN Emergency Mngr
EM reports downed trees and structure damage
west of Dover. Time estimated from radar.
&&Local storm report, May 20, 5:16 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
516 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0502 PM Hail 5 E Columbia 35.62N 86.96W
05/20/2025 M2.00 Inch Maury TN Amateur Radio
Measured 2 inch hail on Tom Osborne Road
near Boyd Butler Road. Time estimated from
radar.
&&Local storm report, May 20, 5:21 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
521 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0521 PM Tornado 4 NNW Clarksville 36.62N 87.38W
05/20/2025 Montgomery TN Broadcast Media
Ongoing tornado, also confirmed by radar.
&&
RRHLocal storm report, May 20, 5:31 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
531 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0459 PM Hail 1 SE Columbia 35.61N 87.03W
05/20/2025 M1.50 Inch Maury TN Public
Report from mPING: Ping Pong Ball (1.50
in.).
&&Local storm report, May 20, 5:37 PM CDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
537 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0528 PM Tornado 5 N Fredonia 36.52N 87.21W
05/20/2025 Montgomery TN Trained Spotter
Just west of I-24 near SR-76 and HWY-41A.
Debris signature on radar.
&&
RRHLocal storm report, May 20, 5:41 PM CDT, 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
541 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0517 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 WNW Murfreesboro 35.88N 86.47W
05/20/2025 Rutherford TN Public
Several large trees down across I-24 at MM72
with trees also down across Blackman Road.
Two lanes of I-24 blocked. Time estimated.
&&The 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, 12:40 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | OHX | Lawrence, Wayne | 50 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, 5:55 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.