Alert archive / Tennessee / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 113, NWS Nashville, TN

July 21, 20265 counties in Tennessee

NWS Nashville, TN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 21, 2026, 8:17 PM CDT for 5 counties in Tennessee. It was in force for 43 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
Jul 21, 2026, 8:17 PM CDT (01:17 UTC)
Expired
Jul 21, 2026, 9:00 PM CDT
In force
43 min
Issued by
NWS Nashville, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Possible
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
70.0 mph

Counties Jackson County, TN, Macon County, TN, Putnam County, TN, Smith County, TN, Trousdale County, TN

The radar

The Nashville radar (KOHX), 59 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:16 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 severe thunderstorm 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
Jul 21, 5:09 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 00:00Z, 1.3 hours before the alert went out and 64 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 00:00Z on 2026-07-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2403 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 00:00Z on 2026-07-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 111 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
2403 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1248 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
29 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
111 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
172 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.2
Supercell composite
13.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

594 
WUUS54 KOHX 220117
SVROHX
TNC087-111-141-159-169-220200-
/O.NEW.KOHX.SV.W.0113.260722T0117Z-260722T0200Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Nashville TN
817 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Smith County in Middle Tennessee...
  Southern Jackson County in Middle Tennessee...
  Southeastern Macon County in Middle Tennessee...
  Central Trousdale County in Middle Tennessee...
  West central Putnam County in Middle Tennessee...

* Until 900 PM CDT.

* At 817 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hartsville,
  moving east at 40 mph.

  HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to 
           mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

* Locations impacted include...
  Lafayette, Carthage, Gainesboro, Hartsville, Gordonsville, South
  Carthage, Dixon Springs, Pleasant Shade, and Granville.

This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 257 and 272.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3636 8556 3607 8575 3608 8578 3609 8577
      3610 8579 3613 8581 3612 8583 3613 8584
      3611 8586 3626 8612 3627 8612 3633 8617
      3632 8619 3633 8620 3655 8606
TIME...MOT...LOC 0117Z 289DEG 34KT 3636 8606 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Cahill
1 follow-up statement
682 
WWUS54 KOHX 220150
SVSOHX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
850 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

TNC087-111-141-159-169-220200-
/O.CON.KOHX.SV.W.0113.000000T0000Z-260722T0200Z/
Smith TN-Jackson TN-Macon TN-Trousdale TN-Putnam TN-
850 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT
FOR SMITH...SOUTHERN JACKSON...SOUTHEASTERN MACON...SOUTHEASTERN
TROUSDALE AND WEST CENTRAL PUTNAM COUNTIES...

At 849 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles south of
Gainesboro, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile 
         homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Carthage, Gainesboro, Gordonsville, South Carthage, Dixon Springs,
Pleasant Shade, and Granville.

This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 257 and 272.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

&&

LAT...LON 3636 8556 3607 8575 3608 8578 3609 8577
      3610 8579 3613 8581 3612 8583 3613 8584
      3611 8586 3626 8612 3635 8612 3648 8592
TIME...MOT...LOC 0149Z 289DEG 34KT 3626 8570 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Cahill

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 21, 7:45 PM CDT, 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 738 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026
  • There is a slight risk (level 2/5) for severe weather through tonight. Main impacts are damaging winds and flash flooding.
  • Cooler and drier conditions arrive Wednesday and continue through the end of the week.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 7:45 PM CDT, 32 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Nashville TN
745 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...New UPDATE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 738 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

- There is a slight risk (level 2/5) for severe weather through
  tonight. Main impacts are damaging winds and flash flooding.

- Cooler and drier conditions arrive Wednesday and continue
  through the end of the week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 738 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

Quick update for this evening revolves around current thunderstorms
now moving into our northern Middle TN counties. These storms
will continue to move southward over the next several hours and
present a damaging wind gust threat of 60+ mph and heavy rainfall
leading to flash flooding in several areas. While the tornado
threat has diminished, please don't sleep on these storms. Radar
is suggesting wind speeds capable of dropping large trees and
limbs which can cause plenty of damage -- as well as rainfall
rates on the order of 3 to 4 inches an hour. If you go under a
severe thunderstorm warning, please treat it as you would a
tornado warning and take proper shelter.

Storm threat should end by midnight leaving light to moderate rain
across our southern counties into the early morning hours. Flash
flood watch continues until 7 am for many of our mid-state
counties.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Rest of today through Wednesday Night)
Issued at 1113 AM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

A surface front is moving south through Missouri into central
Illinois this morning ahead of a shortwave in the northwest upper
flow. The combination of lift and the ample instability and
moisture at the surface will allow storms to fire across southern
Indiana and Ohio over the next couple of hours. Some activity is
already bubbling across our northeastern counties and some heavy
downpours can't be ruled out this afternoon, but the main severe
concern will be with the activity coming out of Kentucky this
evening as bulk shear increases. Damaging winds will be the main
severe storm threat this evening and into early Wednesday along
with a very low risk of a tornado along the TN/KY state line.
Instability and storm organization will decrease the further
storms move south and the deeper we get into the overnight hours.
The window of greatest severe potential looks like 7 PM to around
1 AM.

In addition to the severe threat, some instances of flash flooding
will be a threat. PWAT values are around 1.9-2" across Middle
Tennessee, so very high rain rates can be expected with storms
today and tonight. HREF and associated CAMs show pockets of 2" of
rain with 90th percentile values showing the potential for over 4"
in isolated areas. With the wet July we've had so far, this would
be sufficient for flash flooding in those areas. The HREF shows
the higher probabilities of over 2" and higher 90th percentile
values along and east of I-65. A Flood Watch is in effect through
12z Wednesday.

By 12z Wednesday, the surface front will be draped across the area
from SW to NE. South of the surface front, additional showers and
storms will be possible Wednesday afternoon along the plateau.
Shear will be lower than tonight, so I don't expect any severe
activity Wednesday afternoon. Behind the front, lower dew points
will filter in from the northwest through the day and into
Wednesday night. The surface front will be through the entire area
by Wednesday night which will usher in a very pleasant night with
low dropping into the low to mid 60s.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Thursday through next Tuesday)
Issued at 1113 AM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

To start the long term period, we will be in the nicest airmass
we've had so far this summer. Dew points on Thursday will be in the
low to mid 60s with highs in the low to mid 80s. Friday will be
similar but a couple degrees warmer. A shortwave will ride northwest
upper flow and approach the area Friday night into Saturday which
will reintroduce some low to medium rain chances. Temperatures will
creep up over the weekend with the possibility of a couple more
shortwaves bringing additional storm storms chances going into early
next week. There is some uncertainty of how far east ridging
influences pushes which will affect our rain chances and
temperatures next week.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 618 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The first 6 hours of this TAF cycle will be riddled with TS and
gusty winds as a broken line of thunderstorms moves into TN from
the north. These should come to an end for all terminals by 05-06Z
this evening and while cats will improve after the storms for
CKV/BNA/MQY, MVFR cigs will return around sunrise Wednesday at
BNA/MQY. CSV/SRB will bear the brunt of longer MVFR cigs through
the night and sticking around after storms until lunchtime on
Wednesday. Winds outside of storms will be light and we will see a
shift to the northwest/north after storms pass. With storms, winds
may be gusty at times with northwest to north gusts of 30 to 40
kts.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Nashville      73  87  65  83 /  80  10   0   0
Clarksville    70  86  62  83 /  50   0   0   0
Crossville     69  82  60  80 /  80  60  30  20
Columbia       73  88  65  84 /  80  20   0   0
Cookeville     71  84  63  81 /  80  30  10   0
Jamestown      69  82  60  80 /  90  40  10   0
Lawrenceburg   73  86  65  83 /  70  30  10  10
Murfreesboro   73  88  65  84 /  70  20   0   0
Waverly        71  86  63  83 /  70   0   0   0

&&

.OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

Flood Watch until 7 AM CDT Wednesday for TNZ008>011-024>034-
056>066-075-077-078-080-093>095.

&&

UPDATE.......Unger
SHORT TERM...Reagan
LONG TERM....Reagan
AVIATION.....Unger

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 21, 7:44 PM CDT, 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
744 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

0730 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 WNW Dover             36.49N 87.89W
07/21/2026                   Stewart            TN   Emergency Mngr

            Trees down blocking road on Donelson Parkway
            (Hwy 79) west of Dover.

&&

CC
Local storm report, Jul 21, 7:57 PM CDT, 20 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
757 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

0752 PM     Flash Flood      1 NNW White House       36.47N 86.67W
07/21/2026                   Robertson          TN   Emergency Mngr

            Several roads flooded in White House.

&&

SWU
Local storm report, Jul 21, 7:58 PM CDT, 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
758 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

0755 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 W Orlinda             36.60N 86.72W
07/21/2026                   Robertson          TN   Emergency Mngr

            Multiple trees down in Orlinda, Barren
            Plains and Cross Plains area.

&&

SWU
Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:08 PM CDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
808 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

0804 PM     Flash Flood      Portland                36.59N 86.52W
07/21/2026                   Sumner             TN   Amateur Radio

            1.5 to 3 inches of water over the North
            Harris Road in Portland, TN.

&&

SWU
Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:12 PM CDT, 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Nashville TN
812 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

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

0811 PM     Flash Flood      Springfield             36.50N 86.88W
07/21/2026                   Robertson          TN   Trained Spotter

            2 inches in the last 30 minutes. Ditches and
            creeks full.

&&

SWU

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 21, 7:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXClay, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Pickett41 min
Jul 21, 7:08 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXMacon, Sumner4 hr
Jul 21, 7:10 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXMontgomery, Robertson, Sumner50 min
Jul 21, 7:14 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXClay, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Pickett118 min
Jul 21, 7:16 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXRobertson6 hr
Jul 21, 7:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXHouston, Montgomery, Stewart39 min
Jul 21, 7:30 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXSumner, Trousdale6 hr
Jul 21, 7:37 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXMontgomery3 hr
Jul 21, 7:38 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXMacon, Robertson, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson52 min
Jul 21, 7:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXCheatham, Davidson, Robertson, Sumner, Wilson44 min
Jul 21, 7:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatOHXRobertson, Sumner32 min
Jul 21, 8:01 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXDavidson, Smith, Wilson7 hr
Jul 21, 8:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXCheatham, Dickson, Montgomery29 min
Jul 21, 8:15 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXDavidson, Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson60 min
Jul 21, 8:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXCheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Hickman, Houston, Montgomery and 1 more45 min
Jul 21, 8:33 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXCannon, Rutherford, Williamson6 hr
Jul 21, 8:43 PM CDTTornado WarningOHXDickson47 min
Jul 21, 8:45 PM CDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatOHXDavidson, Robertson, Sumner, Wilson4 hr
Jul 21, 9:06 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXCheatham5 hr
Jul 21, 9:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXDickson, Hickman, Humphreys34 min
Jul 21, 9:26 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXDickson, Hickman6 hr
Jul 21, 9:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningOHXCheatham, Dickson, Hickman, Williamson22 min
Jul 21, 10:43 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXLewis, Maury, Perry5 hr
Jul 21, 11:55 PM CDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatOHXMaury3 hr
Jul 22, 12:24 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningOHXGiles, Lawrence, Wayne4 hr
Jul 22, 12:49 AM CDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatOHXLewis, Perry3 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Tennessee, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

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.