Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2025

Tornado Warning 76, NWS Nashville, TN

May 20, 2025Van Buren County, Warren County, Tennessee

NWS Nashville, TN issued this tornado warning at May 20, 2025, 6:27 PM CDT for Van Buren County, Warren County, Tennessee. It was in force for 33 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, 6:27 PM CDT (23:27 UTC)
Expired: May 20, 2025, 7:00 PM CDT
In force: 33 min
Issued by: NWS Nashville, TN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.0 in

Counties Van Buren County, TN, Warren County, TN

The radar

The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 98 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:30 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 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, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 110 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.

446 
WFUS54 KOHX 202327
TOROHX
TNC175-177-210000-
/O.NEW.KOHX.TO.W.0076.250520T2327Z-250521T0000Z/

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

The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Van Buren County in Middle Tennessee...
  Central Warren County in Middle Tennessee...

* Until 700 PM CDT.

* At 627 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near McMinnville, moving east at 45 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...
  Spencer, McMinnville, and Fall Creek Falls State Park.

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 3559 8540 3557 8584 3574 8586 3581 8540
      3580 8539 3564 8534
TIME...MOT...LOC 2327Z 254DEG 38KT 3563 8576 

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

$$

Shamburger

1 follow-up statement

919 
WWUS54 KOHX 202350
SVSOHX

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

TNC177-210000-
/O.CAN.KOHX.TO.W.0076.000000T0000Z-250521T0000Z/
Warren TN-
650 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL WARREN 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 3567 8560 3571 8560 3573 8559 3575 8559
      3577 8560 3578 8561 3581 8540 3564 8534
TIME...MOT...LOC 2350Z 248DEG 35KT 3571 8550 

$$

TNC175-210000-
/O.CON.KOHX.TO.W.0076.000000T0000Z-250521T0000Z/
Van Buren TN-
650 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL
VAN BUREN COUNTY...

At 650 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Spencer, moving east 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...
Spencer and Fall Creek Falls State Park.

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 3567 8560 3571 8560 3573 8559 3575 8559
      3577 8560 3578 8561 3581 8540 3564 8534
TIME...MOT...LOC 2350Z 248DEG 35KT 3571 8550 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 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, 6:20 PM CDT, 7 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Updated at 620 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, 6:20 PM CDT, 7 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Morristown TN
620 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 620 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...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 620 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

A line of TSRA is currently moving west to east across the area
this evening. This will cause issues with ceilings and vsbys in
the initial TAF period. Once this clears (before 06z), ceilings
should lift and stay in VFR conditions for the remainder of the
TAF period.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Nashville      64  81  60  77 /  60   0  20  20
Clarksville    60  78  58  74 /  40   0  10  10
Crossville     61  73  54  70 /  80  10  20  30
Columbia       61  80  59  77 /  50   0  50  20
Cookeville     62  75  56  71 /  80   0  20  30
Jamestown      60  74  53  70 /  90   0  20  40
Lawrenceburg   61  79  58  77 /  60   0  40  20
Murfreesboro   63  80  58  77 /  70   0  30  20
Waverly        57  78  57  74 /  40   0  30  10

&&

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

SHORT TERM...Cravens
LONG TERM....Cravens
AVIATION.....Holley

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 20, 6:03 PM CDT, 24 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
603 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0517 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     6 WNW Murfreesboro      35.87N 86.50W
05/20/2025                   Rutherford         TN   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Structural damage reported in the Blackman
            area. Time estimated by radar.

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 6:06 PM CDT, 21 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
606 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0550 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     8 SW Ridgetop           36.31N 86.87W
05/20/2025                   Davidson           TN   Public

            Tree down on home in the Joelton area. Time
            estimated by radar.

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 6:07 PM CDT, 20 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
607 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0556 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 ESE Goodlettsville    36.33N 86.69W
05/20/2025                   Sumner             TN   Public

            Tree down on Ellen Drive in Goodlettsville.
            Time estimated from radar.

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 6:09 PM CDT, 18 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
609 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0607 PM     Hail             2 SE Dowelltown         36.00N 85.91W
05/20/2025  M1.25 Inch       De Kalb            TN   Public

            Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 6:22 PM CDT, 5 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
622 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0519 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     6 SSE Smyrna            35.91N 86.47W
05/20/2025                   Rutherford         TN   Public

            Downed powerline at Florence Road & Valor
            Drive. Time estimated.

&&

Local storm report, May 20, 6:23 PM CDT, 4 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
623 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025

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

0515 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Adams                   36.58N 87.06W
05/20/2025                   Robertson          TN   Utility Company

            643 customers without power in Adams.

&&

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 Tornado observed	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 Considerable damage threat	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 Destructive damage threat	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 Considerable damage threat	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, 6:30 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, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.