Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, March 2 to 10, 2012

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Tennessee, March 2 to 10, 2012
Start: 2012-03-02T05:05
End: 2012-03-10T14:52
Location: Tennessee

March 2 to 10, 2012 · NWS OHX · 78 events in 24 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 20
Property damage: $29 million
Crop damage: $262,000
Events: 78

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.

On Friday, March 2nd, as a warm and moist surface based air mass occurred across Middle Tennessee in advance of a strong surface cold front, and a deep upper level trough moved closer to the mid state with strong winds aloft, a significant severe weather outbreak occurred across the mid state starting in the morning hours and lasting well into the evening hours. Multiple reports of large hail occurred across the area, with sizes ranging from penny to baseball size. Several locations reported thunderstorm wind damage. Two tornadoes, an EF1 and EF2 respectively, occurred across the mid state with some funnel clouds being reported also.

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 Mar 2, 4:12 AM CST, 53 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 2, 4:12 AM CST, 53 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
412 AM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

WARM FRONT CURRENTLY LIFTING NORTHWARD ACROSS THE MID STATE.
DEWPOINT GRADIENT IS QUITE IMPRESSIVE WITH 36F AT BNA AND 62F AT HSV
AT 2 AM. WEAK SPEED CONVERGENCE WILL ACCOMPANY THE WARM FRONT
PASSAGE. THUS...A FEW SHOWERS WILL SPREAD NORTHWARD THIS MORNING.

DURING THE DAY TODAY...PROG SOUNDINGS SHOWING VERY DRY AIR FROM
700MB UPWARD THROUGH MUCH OF THE DAY. MEANWHILE...LOWER LEVELS WILL
BECOME INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE. WITH THE OVERALL AIRMASS DEPTH BEING
ON THE DRY SIDE...IT LOOKS AS THOUGH MORE IN THE WAY OF SCATTERED
CONVECTION CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH THE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON.
THEN...AS WE WARM UP...THE ADDED INSTABILITY WILL WORK IN FAVOR OF
MORE LINEAR AND ORGANIZED CONVECTION. THE POSITIONING OF THE COLD
FRONT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE NASHVILLE AREA AROUND
7 OR 8 PM TONIGHT. MUCH OF THE FORCING WILL RESIDE A FEW HOURS AHEAD
OF THE FROPA. SUMMING THIS ALL TOGETHER...IT LOOKS TO ME AS THOUGH
SCATTERED CONVECTION WILL OCCUR ACROSS MIDDLE TN THIS MORNING AND
INTO THE EARLY AFTERNOON. THEN...COVERAGE WILL INCREASE ACROSS
EASTERN ZONES IN THE AFTERNOON AS THE CAP BUSTS. MY POPS FOR TODAY
WILL RANGE FROM 50 ACROSS THE WEST TO 70 PLATEAU. I WILL LEAN
HEAVILY TOWARD ISC GRIDS AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.

AS FOR THE SEVERE POTENTIAL...WITH TEMPS EXPECTING TO WARM UP TO
NEAR 80 FOR MUCH OF THE AREA WEST OF THE PLATEAU...INSTABILITIES IN
THE LOWER LEVELS WILL INCREASE QUITE SUFFICIENTLY TO SUPPORT THE
SEVERE STORM DEVELOPMENT. FURTHERMORE...50-55 KT LOW LEVEL JET WITH
0-3KM HELICITY VALUES AROUND 250 - 300 IN THE LATE AFTERNOON WILL
PROVIDE AMPLE LOW LEVEL SHEAR. WILL THEREFORE INCLUDE THE MENTION OF
SEVERE STORMS IN THE FCST...WITH AFT WORDING USED...LATE AFT/EARLY
EVE PLATEAU. VERY LOW LCL LEVELS WILL SUPPORT ISOLATED TORNADIC
CONDITIONS.

AGAIN...AT THIS POINT IN TIME...THE TIMING OF THE SEVERE WEATHER
LOOKS AS THOUGH IT WILL OCCUR FROM NOON-4PM WEST...2P-6P
CENTRAL...AND 4P-8P FOR THE EASTERN PLATEAU. SCT SEVERE CONVECTION
WEST...WITH LINEAR FORMATION AND BETTER ORGANIZATION ACROSS OUR EAST
AS WE GAIN ADDITIONAL HEATING.

OTHERWISE...TIGHT GRADIENT TODAY WITH WIND ADVISORY CRITERIA ALONG
OUR WESTERN QUARTER. WILL GO AHEAD AND INCLUDE A WIND ADVISORY FOR
THAT AREA.

AFTER TONIGHT'S FROPA....COOLER AND MORE SEASONAL WEATHER WILL
RETURN. A QUICK MOVING DISTURBANCE WITH THE NW FLOW WILL BRING A
CHANCE OF SHOWERS FOR SUNDAY.

FOR THE NEAR TERM TEMPS...WILL UNDERCUT THE MAV HIGH TEMPS THROUGH
SUNDAY BY A FEW DEGREES.

IN THE EXT FCST...WE WILL HAVE DRY WEATHER WITH A WARMING TREND AS
WEAK UPPER RIDGING DOMINATES. NEXT STORM SYSTEM WILL NOT EFFECT THE
AREA UNTIL NEXT WEEKEND.

AGAINST THE MEX GUIDANCE...I WILL INCLUDE A SLIGHT UNDERCUT FOR THE
FIRST HALF OF THE EXTENDED.

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
NASHVILLE      79  38  56  33 /  60  60  10  10
CLARKSVILLE    78  35  53  31 /  50  40  10  10
CROSSVILLE     72  36  50  29 /  70  70  10  10
COLUMBIA       79  39  57  33 /  60  60  10  10
LAWRENCEBURG   78  39  56  32 /  60  60  10  10
WAVERLY        78  37  55  32 /  50  40  10  10

&&

.OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WIND ADVISORY FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CST THIS EVENING
FOR TNZ005-006-022>025-056>058-093-094.

&&

21

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 2, 5:00 AM CST, 5 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
500 AM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-031000-
STEWART-MONTGOMERY-ROBERTSON-SUMNER-MACON-CLAY-PICKETT-BENTON-
HOUSTON-HUMPHREYS-DICKSON-CHEATHAM-DAVIDSON-WILSON-TROUSDALE-
SMITH-JACKSON-PUTNAM-OVERTON-FENTRESS-PERRY-HICKMAN-LEWIS-
WILLIAMSON-MAURY-MARSHALL-RUTHERFORD-CANNON-DE KALB-WHITE-
CUMBERLAND-BEDFORD-COFFEE-WARREN-GRUNDY-VAN BUREN-WAYNE-LAWRENCE-
GILES-
500 AM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR ALL OF
MIDDLE TENNESSEE TODAY AND TONIGHT...WITH THE BEST CHANCE OF
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS.
MAIN THREATS WITH SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOP WILL BE
DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND STRONG...LONG TRACK TORNADOES.

A WIND ADVISORY WILL ALSO BE IN EFFECT FOR LOCATIONS GENERALLY
ALONG AND WEST OF A CLARKSVILLE...TO CENTERVILLE...TO LAWRENCEBURG
LINE FROM THE MID MORNING HOURS TODAY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

REPORTS FROM TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED.

SPOTTER THUNDERSTORM REPORTING CRITERIA...
TORNADO
FUNNEL CLOUD
FLOODING
HAIL >= 1/2 INCH
WINDS > 50 MPH (MEASURED)
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE
TREES OR POWER LINES DOWN

31

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 2, 3:24 AM CST, 1 hour 41 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
324 AM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-030000-
STEWART-MONTGOMERY-ROBERTSON-SUMNER-MACON-CLAY-PICKETT-BENTON-
HOUSTON-HUMPHREYS-DICKSON-CHEATHAM-DAVIDSON-WILSON-TROUSDALE-
SMITH-JACKSON-PUTNAM-OVERTON-FENTRESS-PERRY-HICKMAN-LEWIS-
WILLIAMSON-MAURY-MARSHALL-RUTHERFORD-CANNON-DE KALB-WHITE-
CUMBERLAND-BEDFORD-COFFEE-WARREN-GRUNDY-VAN BUREN-WAYNE-LAWRENCE-
GILES-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DOVER...CLARKSVILLE...SPRINGFIELD...
GALLATIN...LAFAYETTE...CELINA...BYRDSTOWN...CAMDEN...ERIN...
WAVERLY...DICKSON...ASHLAND CITY...NASHVILLE...LEBANON...
MOUNT JULIET...HARTSVILLE...CARTHAGE...GAINESBORO...COOKEVILLE...
LIVINGSTON...JAMESTOWN...LOBELVILLE...CENTERVILLE...HOHENWALD...
FRANKLIN...BRENTWOOD...COLUMBIA...LEWISBURG...MURFREESBORO...
WOODBURY...SMITHVILLE...SPARTA...CROSSVILLE...SHELBYVILLE...
TULLAHOMA...MANCHESTER...MCMINNVILLE...ALTAMONT...SPENCER...
WAYNESBORO...LAWRENCEBURG...PULASKI
324 AM CST FRI MAR 2 2012

...A SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS
MIDDLE TENNESSEE TODAY AND DURING THE EVENING HOURS TONIGHT...
...A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS ALL OF MIDDLE
TENNESSEE TODAY AND TONIGHT...
...MAIN THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND POSSIBLY
STRONG LONG TRACKED TORNADOES...

A STRONG LOW PRESSURE CENTER WILL PUSH NORTHEASTWARD THROUGH THE
MID MISSISSIPPI VALLEY TODAY AND TONIGHT. A STRONG COLD FRONT
WILL PUSH THROUGH THE MID STATE DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON HOURS
ACROSS WESTERN PORTIONS AND INTO THE EVENING HOURS ACROSS EASTERN
PORTIONS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE. ALONG AND AHEAD OF THIS FRONTAL
PASSAGE...ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS WILL BECOME VERY FAVORABLE FOR
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT.

LOWER LEVEL ATMOSPHERIC WINDS WILL STRENGTHEN SIGNIFICANTLY
THROUGHOUT THE DAY...WITH A WARM FRONT MOVING WELL NORTH OF THE
ENTIRE AREA BY THIS AFTERNOON. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR A MUCH WARMER
AND MOISTURE RICH AIRMASS TO BE ESTABLISHED ACROSS THE MID STATE
BY THE AFTERNOON HOURS. NEAR RECORD HIGHS WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR
MANY LOCATIONS ACROSS THE AREA. BREAKS IN CLOUD COVERAGE TODAY
WILL ALLOW FOR DAYTIME HEATING TO AID WITH ATMOSPHERIC INSTABILITY
AND LIFT. ADDITIONAL INSTABILITY AND LIFT WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE
APPROACHING STRONG COLD FRONT. THUS...ALL THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED
FOR CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT ON A LARGE SCALE WILL BE IN
PLACE...MOISTURE...INSTABILITY...AND LIFT. THE BEST OVERALL TIME
FOR SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL ACROSS THE MID STATE WILL BE FROM
NOON IN WESTERN LOCATIONS TO MID EVENING IN EASTERN LOCATIONS.

PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY PLANS ARE IN PLACE
FOR BOTH YOUR RESIDENCE AND BUSINESS. RESIDENTS SHOULD BE SURE
THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO A RELIABLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION
FOR TODAY AND TONIGHT...SUCH AS NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND YOUR LOCAL
MEDIA OUTLET. INFORMATION CONCERNING NOAA WEATHER RADIO
TRANSMITTERS AND THE LOCATION THAT THEY SERVE IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
CAN BE FOUND ON THE NASHVILLE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEB
PAGE...AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/NASHVILLE UNDER WEATHER SAFETY.

31

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

54 hail, 11 thunderstorm wind, 6 funnel cloud, 5 tornado, 1 strong wind, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Benton

When: March 2, 5:05 AM CST
Where: Benton County, 1.31 mi ESE of Eva
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.060, -88.000

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 5:55 AM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.41 mi SW of Nashville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.165, -86.784

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 6:02 AM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1.66 mi NNE of Nashville Cornelia F
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.203, -86.692

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 6:05 AM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.62 mi S of Joelton
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.311, -86.870

Hail, Sumner

When: March 2, 6:30 AM CST
Where: Sumner County, 0.83 mi SE of Castalian Spgs
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.393, -86.308

Funnel Cloud, Putnam

When: March 2, 9:40 AM CST
Where: Putnam County, 2.15 mi NNW of Caney Fork
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.150, -85.460

A funnel cloud was reported to be observed on the east side of Cookeville.

Strong Wind, Rutherford

When: March 2, 2:10 PM CST
Where: Rutherford forecast zone
Measured: 46 kt (53 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.843, -86.417 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tight pressure gradient across Middle Tennessee created strong southwest winds that blew down a few power lines across Rutherford County. A wind gust of 53 mph was measured at the Smyrna Airport.

Hail, Bedford

When: March 2, 2:41 PM CST
Where: Bedford County, 0.69 mi N of Singleton
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.440, -86.380

Hail, Bedford

When: March 2, 2:47 PM CST
Where: Bedford County, 0.66 mi NNW of Bugscuffle
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.509, -86.333

Hail, Coffee

When: March 2, 2:52 PM CST to March 10, 2:52 PM CST
Where: Coffee County, 0.48 mi NW of Calhoun
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.535, -86.175

Hail, Coffee

When: March 2, 2:55 PM CST
Where: Coffee County, 0.82 mi ESE of Noah
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.566, -86.186

Hail, Montgomery

When: March 2, 3:05 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 2.07 mi N of Clarksville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.560, -87.350

High Wind, Davidson

When: March 2, 3:07 PM CST
Where: Davidson forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.171, -86.777 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tight pressure gradient across Middle Tennessee created strong southwest winds that knocked out power to 3500 customers across Nashville. A wind gust of 62 mph was measured by a sensor on top of Vanderbilt Medical Center.

Hail, Montgomery

When: March 2, 3:10 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 0.44 mi WNW of Dotsonville
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.483, -87.487

Thunderstorm Wind, Humphreys

When: March 2, 3:10 PM CST
Where: Humphreys County, Hurricane Mills
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.970, -87.780

A roof was blown off a barn and several trees were downed in Hurricane Mills.

Thunderstorm Wind, Humphreys

When: March 2, 3:15 PM CST
Where: Humphreys County, 1.28 mi WNW of New Hope to 1.44 mi E of New Hope
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.038, -87.651

An NWS Storm Survey found several trees snapped or uprooted along Little Hurricane Creek Road between Bold Springs Road and County Highway 1779.

Hail, Dickson

When: March 2, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Dickson County, Dickson
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.080, -87.380

Hail, Dickson

When: March 2, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Dickson County, 0.33 mi SW of Dickson
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.076, -87.384

Thunderstorm Wind, Dickson

When: March 2, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Dickson County, 0.62 mi WNW of Tidwell to 0.3 mi WNW of Tidwell
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.023, -87.340

An NWS Storm Survey found a downburst impacted areas along Highway 46 between Dickson and Interstate 40. The west roof of a Hampton Inn near I-40 was blown eastward, and a nearby Waffle House had minor exterior damage. Winds were estimated up to 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dickson

When: March 2, 3:30 PM CST
Where: Dickson County, 1.75 mi NW of Pomona to 1.05 mi N of Pomona
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.046, -87.374

An NWS Storm Survey found a downburst impacted areas along Highway 46 between Dickson and Interstate 40. Several panels were blown off the dome of the Renaissance Center. A few homes in this area also had damage such as windows being blown out. Winds were estimated up to 75 mph.

Hail, Dickson

When: March 2, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Dickson County, 1.12 mi W of Bakersworks
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Park/Forest Service
Coordinates: 36.080, -87.290

Hail, Dickson

When: March 2, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Dickson County, 0.59 mi SSE of Colesburg
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.062, -87.346

Thunderstorm Wind, Dickson

When: March 2, 3:35 PM CST
Where: Dickson County, 1.52 mi E of Mt Sinai
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.996, -87.373

Trees were downed across southern portions of the county.

Tornado, Cheatham

When: March 2, 3:48 PM CST to 3:49 PM CST
Where: Cheatham County, 0.2 mi SSW of Kingston Spgs to 0.58 mi ESE of Kingston Spgs
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.63 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $300,000
Crop damage: $2,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.097, -87.121

An EF1 tornado with a maximum wind speed of around 90 mph touched down along Mt. Pleasant Road just south of Kingston Springs. The nearly 1 mile damage path of the tornado contained dozens of snapped or uprooted trees, a destroyed barn, and several homes with minor roof damage.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cheatham

When: March 2, 3:48 PM CST to 3:49 PM CST
Where: Cheatham County, 0.33 mi NE of Kingston Spgs
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.103, -87.115

Widespread downburst and hail damage occurred across the remainder of Kingston Springs, where many buildings suffered considerable roof, window, and siding damage from the golf ball or slightly larger hail.

Funnel Cloud, Williamson

When: March 2, 3:50 PM CST
Where: Williamson County, 4.03 mi NNE of New Hope
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.074, -87.122

Spotter reported a funnel cloud near Interstate 40 north of Fairview.

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.89 mi NE of Belle Meade
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.110, -86.860

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1.51 mi WNW of Bellevue
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.082, -86.953

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.63 mi SW of Bellevue
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.065, -86.939

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1.31 mi ENE of Belle Meade
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $8,000
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.110, -86.850

Hail resulted in some broken windows in a residential home.

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:03 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.56 mi E of Nashville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.170, -86.770

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:03 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1.58 mi SSE of Berry Hill
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.099, -86.759

Hail up to golf ball size was reported at the Nashville Emergency Operations Center. At least two dozen vehicles were damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:03 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 2.32 mi NW of Berry Hill
Measured: 71 kt (82 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.141, -86.802

A wind gust of 82 mph was measured by a sensor on top of Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:04 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, Belle Meade
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.100, -86.870

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:05 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1.26 mi SSW of Nashville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.153, -86.789

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:06 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1.23 mi ENE of Oak Hill
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.104, -86.799

Golf ball sized hail was reported at Lipscomb University.

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:06 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1 mi W of Nashville
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.170, -86.798

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:07 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, Nashville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.170, -86.780

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:08 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, Nashville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.170, -86.780

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, Berry Hill
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.120, -86.770

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.56 mi W of Berry Hill
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $25 million
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.120, -86.780

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.62 mi SE of (Bna)nashville Metro
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.125, -86.671

Numerous reports of golf ball size hail in the vicinity of the Nashville International Airport.

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1.95 mi SW of Nashville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.153, -86.808

Golf ball size hail occurred at the intersection of 23rd Avenue and Patterson.

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:10 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 0.69 mi S of Antioch
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.060, -86.672

Hail, Davidson

When: March 2, 4:18 PM CST
Where: Davidson County, 1.81 mi ESE of Stone River
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.170, -86.570

Hail, Wilson

When: March 2, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, 2.31 mi SSE of Mt Juliet
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 36.168, -86.509

Funnel Cloud, Wilson

When: March 2, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, 0.56 mi E of Lebanon Arpt
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.180, -86.310

A funnel cloud was reported near Interstate 40 just south of Lebanon.

Hail, Wilson

When: March 2, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, 1.38 mi N of West End Hgts
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.240, -86.320

Hail, Wilson

When: March 2, 4:34 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, 0.69 mi S of West End Hgts
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.210, -86.320

Hail, Wilson

When: March 2, 4:34 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, 2.26 mi W of Lebanon Arpt
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.184, -86.360

Hail, Wilson

When: March 2, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, 2.16 mi E of Tuckers Xrds
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.200, -86.141

Homes and vehicles were damaged near the 8000 block of Trousdale Ferry Pike. Details concerning specific damage to individual homes and vehicles were unknown.

Hail, Wilson

When: March 2, 4:40 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, Tuckers Xrds
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.200, -86.180

Baseball size hail broke windows in a home in Tuckers Crossroads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wilson

When: March 2, 4:44 PM CST
Where: Wilson County, 2.08 mi W of Lebanon Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 36.179, -86.357

Fifty foot radio tower knocked down near the intersection of State Highway 840 and Interstate 40.

Hail, Lawrence

When: March 2, 4:48 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.04 mi SSE of Flatwoods
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.285, -87.345

Funnel Cloud, Lawrence

When: March 2, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 5 mi NW of Lawrenceburg
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.301, -87.393

Hail, Smith

When: March 2, 4:55 PM CST
Where: Smith County, 0.27 mi NNW of South Carthage
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.253, -85.952

Hail, Maury

When: March 2, 5:05 PM CST
Where: Maury County, 0.4 mi WNW of Dukes Store
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.582, -87.137

Thunderstorm Wind, Maury

When: March 2, 5:11 PM CST
Where: Maury County, 2.81 mi W of Oakland
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.650, -86.970

A light pole was downed onto U.S. Highway 31 near Columbia.

Thunderstorm Wind, Maury

When: March 2, 5:13 PM CST
Where: Maury County, 1.4 mi WSW of Rally Hill
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.661, -86.852

A tree fell onto a house on Rally Hill Road. Specific details concerning any damage caused to the home were unknown.

Hail, Giles

When: March 2, 5:15 PM CST
Where: Giles County, 0.56 mi E of Waco
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.380, -87.010

Hail, Wayne

When: March 2, 5:17 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 1.69 mi NNW of South Highland
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.251, -87.765

Several homes and automobiles were damaged near the Sunny Acres Community. Specific details concerning damage to homes and automobiles were unknown.

Funnel Cloud, Marshall

When: March 2, 5:25 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, 2.64 mi ESE of Mooresville
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.415, -86.877

Funnel cloud was reported at Mile Marker 29 on Interstate 65.

Tornado, Jackson

When: March 2, 5:26 PM CST to 5:31 PM CST
Where: Jackson County, 2.04 mi NE of Mt Union to 1.88 mi W of Mt Union
Rating: EF2
Path length: 3.7 mi
Path width: 880 yd
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $2.0 million
Crop damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.290, -85.493

An EF2 tornado with maximum wind speeds around 125 mph began south of Sims Lane in southeast Jackson County and moved northeast across the Dodson Branch community. A home and outbuilding were damaged and several trees and power lines were blown down on Mabry School Road. Increasing to one half mile wide, the tornado moved across the Dodson Branch community along Highway 135 between Zion Road and Maynard Hollow Road. Numerous homes and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed in this area with 20 minor injuries reported. Hundreds of trees and several power lines were also blown down. The tornado continued northeast across Allen Drive, Plum Hollow Lane, and Smith Chapel Road, damaging several more homes, before entering northern Putnam County.

Tornado, Putnam

When: March 2, 5:31 PM CST to 5:33 PM CST
Where: Putnam County, 6.24 mi N of Cookeville Arpt to 6.23 mi NW of Jeremiah
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.65 mi
Path width: 500 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Crop damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.290, -85.493

The tornado that moved across the Dodson Branch community in southeast Jackson County continued northeastward and produced EF1 damage across extreme northern Putnam County. Hundreds of trees were blown down and a few homes and outbuildings were damaged as the tornado crossed Fairview Road and Thomas Allen Road. The tornado continued northeast into southwest Overton County.

Tornado, Overton

When: March 2, 5:33 PM CST to 5:41 PM CST
Where: Overton County, 0.2 mi NE of Waterloo to 1.44 mi NW of Okalona
Rating: EF2
Path length: 6.94 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Property damage: $1.0 million
Crop damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 36.302, -85.467

The tornado that began in southeast Jackson County and crossed into northern Putnam County continued northeastward, producing EF2 damage across southern Overton County. Several homes were damaged as the tornado crossed Highway 136 just south of Hardys Chapel Road. Curving more eastward, the tornado continued down Hardys Chapel Road where several mobile homes were destroyed and other frame homes were heavily damaging. Hundreds of trees were blown down in this area. More homes were damaged on Windle Community Road and Highway 111 before the tornado lifted north of the intersection of River Trace Road and East Howard Road, about 4 miles south-southwest of Livingston. The total path length of the tornado was 12.3 miles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When: March 2, 5:40 PM CST
Where: Putnam County, 4.02 mi N of Cookeville Arpt
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.258, -85.489

Over 100 trees were downed near East White Hall Road.

Funnel Cloud, Rutherford

When: March 2, 5:45 PM CST
Where: Rutherford County, Eagleville
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.750, -86.650

A funnel cloud was reported just north of Eagleville.

Hail, Lawrence

When: March 2, 5:53 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.13 mi E of Ethridge
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.320, -87.300

Hail, Bedford

When: March 2, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Bedford County, 1.32 mi ENE of Shelbyville
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.490, -86.450

Hail, Lawrence

When: March 2, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 0.96 mi ENE of Ethridge
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.325, -87.304

Tornado, Fentress

When: March 2, 5:56 PM CST to 6:01 PM CST
Where: Fentress County, 1.72 mi SW of Manson to 1.04 mi ENE of Boatland
Rating: EF0
Path length: 6.42 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Crop damage: $100,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 36.385, -85.105

The same supercell thunderstorm that produced an earlier tornado in Jackson, Putnam, and Overton counties spawned an EF0 tornado that touched down in western Fentress County northwest of the intersection of Manson Road and Lost Creek Road. Aerial satellite imagery from Google Earth indicated the tornado then moved northeast through inaccessible forested areas and very hilly terrain before ending southwest of Gouldstown Road. Dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted along the intermittent damage path.

Hail, Giles

When: March 2, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Giles County, 4.71 mi WSW of Yokley
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.400, -87.200

Hail, Coffee

When: March 2, 6:07 PM CST
Where: Coffee County, 0.56 mi W of Noah
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.570, -86.210

Hail, Coffee

When: March 2, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Coffee County, 1.82 mi WSW of Noah
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.560, -86.230

Hail, Marshall

When: March 2, 6:25 PM CST
Where: Marshall County, 1.13 mi W of Lewisburg
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.450, -86.820

Hail, Bedford

When: March 2, 6:45 PM CST
Where: Bedford County, 3.5 mi NE of Richmond
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.410, -86.550

Hail, Van Buren

When: March 2, 7:03 PM CST
Where: Van Buren County, 1.32 mi ESE of Spencer
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.740, -85.450

Hail, Cumberland

When: March 2, 7:38 PM CST
Where: Cumberland County, 0.61 mi NW of Lantana
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 35.877, -85.107

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Funnel Cloud: A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Tennessee in 2012 Every state in 2012 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Tennessee, 2012 Warnings in Tennessee, March 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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 362582, 362583, 362584, 362586, 362587, 363441, 368921, 362588, 362589, 362591, 362590, 363431, 369872, 363432, 368128, 369971, 363433, 363436, 368127, 369956, 363434, 363435, 368131, 368123, 368124, 364332, 363437, 363438, 363439, 363440, 364336, 364337, 369871, 364338, 369143, 364339, 364340, 364341, 364343, 364345, and more.