Tennessee, 2012

Winter Weather in Tennessee, January 12 to 13, 2012

January 12 to 13, 2012 · NWS OHX · 29 events in 29 counties and zones

As a broad upper level trough with an associated embedded upper level low moved across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon hours on Thursday, January 12 to the early morning hours on Friday, January 13th, a significant snowfall event occurred across multiple counties in the mid state, resulting in hazardous driving conditions and the cancellations or postponements of civic engagements across…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 29 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$25,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
29

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS OHX wrote it up.

As a broad upper level trough with an associated embedded upper level low moved across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon hours on Thursday, January 12 to the early morning hours on Friday, January 13th, a significant snowfall event occurred across multiple counties in the mid state, resulting in hazardous driving conditions and the cancellations or postponements of civic engagements across these counties.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jan 11, 5:47 PM CST, 20 hours 13 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 11, 5:47 PM CST, 20 hours 13 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 11, 4:56 PM CST, 21 hours 4 minutes before
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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

29 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Stewart

When
January 12, 2:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where
Stewart forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.501, -87.838 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One to two inches of total snowfall accumulation was reported across the county with numerous roads being snow covered and multiple car accidents reported. Details concerning how many cars were involved along with the damage associated with the multiple car accidents were unknown. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for that afternoon and evening.

Winter Weather, Houston

When
January 12, 2:30 PM CST to 11:30 PM CST
Where
Houston forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.286, -87.717 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two inches of total snowfall accumulation on average occurred across the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for the late afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Montgomery

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.497, -87.383 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One and one half inches of total snowfall accumulation occurred on the ground in Clarksville near Interstate 24 with other locations in Clarksville reporting accumulations of around one inch. Twenty wrecks were reported across Clarksville. Numerous roads were reported with snow and ice cover across the remainder of the county also. No additional information on particular type of damage to individual vehicles were known. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements around the county for that afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Robertson

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 13, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Robertson forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.526, -86.871 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Up to one inch of total snowfall accumulation occurred near Greenbrier.This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in Greenbrier and surrounding areas for late that afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Williamson

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 13, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Williamson forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.894, -86.899 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation reported in and around Fairview. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in Fairview and surrounding areas for late that afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Cheatham

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 13, 12:30 AM CST
Where
Cheatham forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.261, -87.087 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Across northern portions of the county two inches of total snowfall accumulation occurred. Road conditions in this area were reported to be very hazardous. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across northern portions of the county for the late afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Dickson

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Dickson forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
36.149, -87.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two inches of total snowfall accumulation occurred in and around Dickson. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in Dickson and surrounding areas for that afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Hickman

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 13, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Hickman forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
35.803, -87.473 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation was reported across eastern portions of the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across eastern portions of the county for the late afternoon through evening hours, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Wilson

When
January 12, 4:00 PM CST to January 13, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Wilson forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
36.155, -86.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One inch of total snowfall accumulation reported in and in the vicinity of Lebanon.This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in Lebanon and surrounding areas for late that afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Sumner

When
January 12, 4:00 PM CST to January 13, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Sumner forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
36.469, -86.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One and one quarter of an inch of total snowfall accumulation reported in Gallatin. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in Gallatin and surrounding areas for late that afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Davidson

When
January 12, 4:00 PM CST to January 13, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Davidson forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
36.171, -86.777 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One inch of total snowfall accumulation occurred just northeast of Brentwood in southern Davidson County. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across southern Davidson County for the late afternoon through evening hours, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Marshall

When
January 12, 4:00 PM CST to January 13, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Marshall forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
35.469, -86.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation occurred just southeast of Lewisburg.This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in Lewisburg and surrounding areas for that evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Rutherford

When
January 12, 4:00 PM CST to January 13, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Rutherford forecast zone
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
35.843, -86.417 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

After several hours of light snowfall, police in Murfreesboro reported that nearly all overpasses were icy and dangerous. Several wrecks were reported on the Medical Center Boulevard Overpass. The Thompson Lane Bridge was shut down in the evening hours due to increasingly hazardous driving conditions. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in Murfreesboro and surrounding areas for the late afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Macon

When
January 12, 4:30 PM CST to January 13, 1:30 AM CST
Where
Macon forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.532, -86.007 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One inch of total snowfall accumulation on average across the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county late that afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Trousdale

When
January 12, 4:30 PM CST to January 13, 1:30 AM CST
Where
Trousdale forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.392, -86.157 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation on average occurred across the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for late that afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Smith

When
January 12, 4:30 PM CST to January 13, 1:30 AM CST
Where
Smith forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.251, -85.957 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Up to one inch of total snowfall accumulation occurred across the county as numerous roads experienced slick conditions. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for late that afternoon and evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Putnam

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Putnam forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
36.141, -85.495 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In the Monterey area, two inches of total snowfall accumulation was reported. Other portions of the county experienced around one half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation. Numerous roads across the county were reported as being snow covered. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for that evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Clay

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.551, -85.544 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One inch of total snowfall accumulation was reported on average across the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for that evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Coffee

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Coffee forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.491, -86.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation reported in and around Tullahoma.This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in Tullahoma and surrounding areas for that evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Jackson

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.359, -85.673 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three quarters of an inch of total snowfall accumulation on average occurred across the county.This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for that evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Overton

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Overton forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.345, -85.288 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Total snowfall accumulation amounts ranged from one half to one inch across the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for that evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, White

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
White forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.926, -85.455 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation occurred on average across the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for that evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Cannon

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Cannon forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.809, -86.062 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation on average occured across the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for that evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Dekalb

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Dekalb forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.980, -85.833 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation occurred on average across the county with some roads partially snow covered. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for that evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Warren

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Warren forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
35.679, -85.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three quarters of an inch of total snowfall accumulation occurred just east of McMinnville. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in McMinnville and the surrounding areas for that evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Van Buren

When
January 12, 5:00 PM CST to January 13, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Van Buren forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
35.696, -85.453 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation occurred just northwest of Spencer. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements in Spencer and surrounding areas for that evening, as travel on roads across this area became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Cumberland

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 13, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Cumberland forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.950, -84.998 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One to three inches of total snowfall accumulation was reported across the higher elevations to around one half of an inch across other portions of the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county for that evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Pickett

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 13, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Pickett forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.558, -85.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One half of an inch of total snowfall accumulation was reported across the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements around the county for that evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

Winter Weather, Fentress

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 13, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Fentress forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
36.381, -84.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

One to two inches of total snowfall accumulation reported across the county. This total snowfall accumulation resulted in the closures or postponement of some civic engagements across the county that evening, as travel on roads across the county became hazardous due to the accumulating snowfall.

What these are

Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Tennessee in 2012Every state in 2012This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, January 2012

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 356444, 356567, 356422, 356563, 356564, 356566, 356570, 356578, 356414, 356424, 356572, 356580, 356611, 356440, 356449, 356561, 356410, 356438, 356439, 356441, 356447, 356453, 356456, 356560, 356574, 356579, 356429, 356434, 356435.