Alert archive / Tennessee / Tornado Warnings in 2025
Tornado Warning 77, NWS Nashville, TN
NWS Nashville, TN issued this tornado warning at May 20, 2025, 6:54 PM CDT for Cumberland County, Van Buren County, White County, Tennessee. It was in force for 66 min. 8 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, 6:54 PM CDT (23:54 UTC)
- Expired
- May 20, 2025, 8:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 66 min
- Issued by
- NWS Nashville, TN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.5 in
Counties Cumberland County, TN, Van Buren County, TN, White County, TN
The radar
The Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 132 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:57 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, 7:01 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 4 Sw Doyle, TN | Quarter-size hail in Quebeck. |
| May 20, 7:01 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 4 Sw Doyle, TN | Quarter-size hail in Quebeck. |
| May 20, 7:37 PM CDT | TORNADO | 9 S Crossville, TN | A NWS storm survey team determined that an EF-1 tornado occurred in southern Cumberland County. This tornado touched down along Vandever Rd near New Era causing timber damage and minor structural damage to homes. As the tornado moved east northeast, more subst |
| May 20, 7:37 PM CDT | TORNADO | 9 S Crossville, TN | A NWS storm survey team determined that an EF-1 tornado occurred in southern Cumberland County. This tornado touched down along Vandever Rd near New Era causing timber damage and minor structural damage to homes. As the tornado moved east northeast, more subst |
| May 20, 8:00 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 10 Ssw Crossville, TN | Golf ball size hail on Burgess Road. Time estimated. |
| May 20, 8:00 PM CDT | HAIL 1 | 10 Ssw Crossville, TN | Golf ball size hail on Burgess Road. Time estimated. |
| May 20, 8:05 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 9 S Crossville, TN | Structure damage reported on Rhea Road. Time estimated. |
| May 20, 8:05 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 9 S Crossville, TN | Structure damage reported on Rhea Road. Time estimated. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 43 minutes after it went out.
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, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 143 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.
764
WFUS54 KOHX 202354
TOROHX
TNC035-175-185-210100-
/O.NEW.KOHX.TO.W.0077.250520T2354Z-250521T0100Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
654 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southern Cumberland County in Middle Tennessee...
Van Buren County in Middle Tennessee...
Southeastern White County in Middle Tennessee...
* Until 800 PM CDT.
* At 654 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...
Crab Orchard, Lake Tansi, Cumberland Mountain State Park, Fall
Creek Falls State Park, Indian Rock Lake, Virgin Falls State
Natural Area, Spencer, Crossville, and Fairfield Glade.
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 3583 8477 3582 8480 3576 8492 3577 8493
3575 8503 3577 8504 3576 8507 3577 8510
3577 8525 3576 8527 3572 8527 3567 8531
3565 8556 3582 8560 3602 8475 3589 8471
TIME...MOT...LOC 2354Z 257DEG 34KT 3572 8545
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
Shamburger2 follow-up statements
511
WWUS54 KOHX 210029
SVSOHX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
729 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
TNC175-185-210039-
/O.CAN.KOHX.TO.W.0077.000000T0000Z-250521T0100Z/
Van Buren TN-White TN-
729 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR VAN BUREN AND SOUTHEASTERN WHITE COUNTIES
IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for Middle
Tennessee.
&&
LAT...LON 3583 8477 3582 8480 3576 8492 3577 8493
3575 8503 3577 8504 3576 8507 3577 8510
3577 8525 3590 8521 3602 8475 3589 8471
TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 258DEG 29KT 3579 8511
$$
TNC035-210100-
/O.CON.KOHX.TO.W.0077.000000T0000Z-250521T0100Z/
Cumberland TN-
729 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR SOUTHERN
CUMBERLAND COUNTY...
At 729 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 12 miles south of Crossville, moving east at 35 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...
Crab Orchard, Lake Tansi, Cumberland Mountain State Park, Indian Rock
Lake, Crossville, and Fairfield Glade.
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 3583 8477 3582 8480 3576 8492 3577 8493
3575 8503 3577 8504 3576 8507 3577 8510
3577 8525 3590 8521 3602 8475 3589 8471
TIME...MOT...LOC 0029Z 258DEG 29KT 3579 8511
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
$$
Shamburger637
WWUS54 KOHX 210045
SVSOHX
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Fort Worth TX
745 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
TNC035-210100-
/O.CON.KOHX.TO.W.0077.000000T0000Z-250521T0100Z/
Cumberland TN-
745 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN CUMBERLAND COUNTY...
At 743 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 9 miles south of Crossville, or 5 miles east of
Lake Tansi, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and half dollar size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
Locations impacted include...
Crab Orchard, Lake Tansi, Cumberland Mountain State Park, Fairfield
Glade, and Crossville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter now! Get to an
interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid
windows.
&&
LAT...LON 3583 8477 3582 8480 3576 8492 3577 8493
3577 8504 3592 8510 3602 8475 3589 8471
TIME...MOT...LOC 0043Z 253DEG 24KT 3583 8498
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
$$
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, 6:20 PM CDT, 34 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, 34 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, 6:28 PM CDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
628 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0619 PM Hail Auburntown 35.95N 86.10W
05/20/2025 E1.00 Inch Cannon TN Public
Estimated quarter size hail in Auburntown.
Time estimated from radar.
&&Local storm report, May 20, 6:30 PM CDT, 24 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
630 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM Flash Flood 1 WSW Franklin 35.92N 86.87W
05/20/2025 Williamson TN Emergency Mngr
Several roads reported closed across
Williamson County due to heavy rain.
&&Local storm report, May 20, 6:40 PM CDT, 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
640 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM Flash Flood 2 NNE Berry Hill 36.15N 86.75W
05/20/2025 Davidson TN Public
Flooding reported in the Nashville metro
area from heavy rain.
&&Local storm report, May 20, 6:46 PM CDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
646 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0644 PM Flash Flood 6 ESE Franklin 35.88N 86.75W
05/20/2025 Williamson TN Public
Flooding reported on Trinity Road at Highway
96.
&&Local storm report, May 20, 6:48 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
648 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0644 PM Flash Flood 5 NW College Grove 35.85N 86.73W
05/20/2025 Williamson TN Public
Flooding reported on Lampkin Bridge Road.
&&Local storm report, May 20, 6:49 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
649 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0643 PM Flash Flood 5 WSW Franklin 35.89N 86.93W
05/20/2025 Williamson TN Public
Flooding reported on Southhall Road in
Franklin.
&&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, 5:48 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, 6:58 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.