Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Tennessee, January 21 to 23, 2016

Name: Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Tennessee, January 21 to 23, 2016
Start: 2016-01-21T21:00
End: 2016-01-23T10:00
Location: Tennessee

January 21 to 23, 2016 · NWS OHX · 37 events in 37 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 37 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: 0
Property damage: $65,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 37

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.

A powerful upper level low pressure system moved across the Tennessee Valley on Friday, January 22, 2016. Light to moderate rain developed ahead of this system and spread across Middle Tennessee late in the day on Thursday, January 21. Temperatures below freezing north of I-40 lead to this rain falling as freezing rain, with ice accumulations up to 1/3 in the counties near the Kentucky border leading to numerous vehicle accidents and road closures. As the upper low approached and moved directly over Middle Tennessee during the morning on January 22, the rain and freezing rain began mixing with sleet and eventually changed to all snow from northwest to southeast across the region. Snow was heavy at times in many areas along and north of I-40, falling at up to 2 inches per hour during the morning and afternoon on January 22. Snow gradually ended from west to east across Middle Tennessee from the evening hours into Saturday, January 23, although light snow and flurries affected many areas even into the late evening on January 23.

When all was said and done, snow had fallen across every county in Middle Tennessee, with a large range of snowfall totals from just a trace in southwest Wayne County up to an unofficial 13.5 inches in Macon County. In addition, much of the Nashville metro area received anywhere from 5 to 10 inches of snow, with 8 inches officially falling at the Nashville International Airport and 7.5 inches at the NWS Nashville office. The snow total of 8 inches at Nashville International Airport set a daily highest snowfall record for January 22. This also made the January 22-23, 2016 snowstorm the largest snowfall in Nashville in 28 years. Many other locations received their highest snow totals since the February 3-4, 1998 snow nearly 20 years prior. The widespread heavy snowfall resulted in numerous interstate and road closures, and nearly all Middle Tennessee school systems were closed for up to 1 week after the snowstorm due to the slow melt of the ice and snow covered roads.

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 21, 6:33 PM CST, 2 hours 27 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 21, 6:33 PM CST, 2 hours 27 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
633 PM CST THU JAN 21 2016

.DISCUSSION...

ACROSS NORTHWEST AREAS...
THERMAL PROFILES ACROSS OUR FAR NORTHWESTERN AREAS ARE A BIT
CONCERNING. AT THE SFC...IT APPEARS THAT ANY SFC WAA AT THE SFC IS
NO LONGER IN PLACE AT CKV AND NEARBY AREAS. CURRENTLY...TEMPS
ACROSS THAT AREA ARE NEAR 32 AND 33 DEGREES. HOWEVER...DEWPOINTS
ARE IN THE MID TO UPPER 20S. LATEST HRRR AGGRESSIVELY BRINGS SOME
ENHANCED MOISTURE NORTHWARD BY 06Z. BUT...THIS LOOKS A LITTLE
OVERDONE BASED ON INITIALIZATION. STILL THOUGH...WILL NEED TO BUMP
UP THE FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET A TOUCH.

THE TRANSITION OVER TO SNOW IN THIS AREA LOOKS LIKE BETWEEN 6 AM
AND 8 AM WITH THE SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN FALLING PRIOR TO THAT
TIME.

FOR THE UPDATE...ONLY CHANGE FOR NOW WILL BE TO EXPAND SOUTHWARD
THE FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET AREA TOWARD WEST CENTRAL SECTIONS AS
WELL. I WILL ALSO INCREASE ICE ACCUM A BIT.

ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE MID STATE...
NO CHANGES TO THE OVERNIGHT BUT WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE
POTENTIAL THAT SNOW MIGHT COME IN A LITTLE EARLIER FOR NASHVILLE
THAN THE CURRENT 11 AM TO 2 PM PREDICTION. WILL AWAIT THE NEW 00Z
NAM TO MAKE THAT DECISION BUT THAT 11 AM TO 2 PM TIME WINDOW MAY
NEED TO BE MOVED UP A FEW HOURS. ALSO...WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP A
WATCHFUL EYE ON OUR NORTHWEST AS MORE IN THE WAY OF FREEZING RAIN
AND SLEET COULD OCCUR PRIOR TO 6 AM. A DECISION TO EXPAND THE WSW
SOUTHWARD PRIOR TO 12Z MAY BE NEEDED ACROSS NORTHWESTERN AND
PERHAPS WEST CENTRAL AREAS.

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAF DISCUSSION.

BNA/CKV/CSV...MOISTURE CONTINUES TO ADVECT NE'WD INTO MIDDLE
TENNESSEE AS A SURFACE LOW TRACKS FROM THE GULF COAST TOWARD THE
TENNESSEE VALLEY. HRRR SHOWS RAIN MOVING INTO MIDDLE TENNESSEE
THIS AFTERNOON, REACHING BNA & CKV AROUND 23Z, THEN THE PLATEAU
DURING THE EVENING. AS THE LOW CONTINUES TO MOVE TOWARD THE E/NE,
WINDS WILL TURN MORE NE'WD WITH FALLING TEMPERATURES AND WINTRY
PRECIPITATION DEVELOPING FROM WEST TO EAST OVERNIGHT AND TOMORROW
MORNING. LOOK FOR IFR CIGS THE NEXT 24 HRS ACROSS THE MID STATE
WITH WINDS INCREASING DRAMATICALLY AS THE SFC LOW EDGES CLOSER TO
MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
NASHVILLE      35  37  25  32  15 / 100 100  80  20   0
CLARKSVILLE    30  32  23  31  13 /  90 100  60  20   0
CROSSVILLE     34  37  23  29  12 / 100 100  80  60  10
COLUMBIA       38  39  24  32  16 / 100 100  60  20   0
LAWRENCEBURG   39  41  25  33  18 / 100 100  80  20   0
WAVERLY        32  33  22  32  14 / 100 100  60  10   0

&&

.OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY FOR CLAY-FENTRESS-
JACKSON-OVERTON-PICKETT.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY
FOR BEDFORD-COFFEE-GILES-LAWRENCE-MARSHALL-WAYNE.

WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO NOON CST SATURDAY FOR
CUMBERLAND-GRUNDY-PUTNAM-VAN BUREN-WARREN-WHITE.

WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY FOR
CANNON-CHEATHAM-DAVIDSON-DE KALB-DICKSON-HICKMAN-HOUSTON-
HUMPHREYS-LEWIS-MAURY-PERRY-RUTHERFORD-SMITH-WILLIAMSON-WILSON.

WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM CST SATURDAY FOR MACON-
MONTGOMERY-ROBERTSON-STEWART-SUMNER-TROUSDALE.

&&

SHORT TERM/AVIATION........01/BOYD
LONG TERM..................21

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 21, 7:29 PM CST, 1 hour 31 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
729 PM CST THU JAN 21 2016

TNZ005>011-023>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-221130-
STEWART-MONTGOMERY-ROBERTSON-SUMNER-MACON-CLAY-PICKETT-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-
729 PM CST THU JAN 21 2016

...A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF MIDDLE
TENNESSEE...

...A WINTER STORM WATCH CONTINUES FOR SOUTHERN COUNTIES OF MIDDLE
TENNESSEE...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF MIDDLE
TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.

ACROSS THE FAR NORTHWEST PORTIONS OF THE MID STATE...GENERALLY
ALONG AND NORTH OF A WAVERLY TO SPRINGFIELD LINE...TEMPERATURES
CONTINUE TO HOVER NEAR OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE FREEZING. AS MOISTURE
SURGES NORTHWARD RAIN WILL LIKELY CHANGEOVER TO FREEZING RAIN AND
SLEET BY MIDNIGHT. AROUND ONE TENTH OF AN INCH OF ICE WILL BE
POSSIBLE.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

A POTENT WEATHER SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION TONIGHT
OFFERING UP QUITE A BIT OF RAIN PRIOR TO MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. AS WE
GET INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON FRIDAY...COLD AIR SUPPORTIVE
OF WINTRY WEATHER WILL BEGIN TO MOVE INTO MIDDLE TENNESSEE. A
TRANSITION FROM RAIN...TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN...TO SNOW WILL
MOVE ACROSS THE MID STATE THROUGHOUT THE DAY FRIDAY. COUNTIES
NORTH OF INTERSTATE 40 NEAR THE KENTUCKY STATE LINE AND ALSO THE
NORTHWESTERN QUARTER OF MIDDLE TN COULD SEE A COATING OF ICE
AROUND DAYBREAK FRIDAY BEFORE THE SNOW BEGINS. A TENTH OF AN INCH
OF IS POSSIBLE. SNOW TOTALS FOR THE WHOLE AREA WILL RANGE FROM 3
TO 6 INCHES IN THE FAR NORTHWEST...TO 2 TO 4 INCHES ON THE
CUMBERLAND PLATEAU...TO 2 TO 3 INCHES ELSEWHERE ACROSS MIDDLE
TENNESSEE. MAJOR TRAVEL IMPACTS ARE EXPECTED FRIDAY AND COULD LAST
INTO SATURDAY AS TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN BELOW FREEZING UNTIL
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER REPORTS OF WINTER PRECIPITATION TYPES AND ANY
ACCUMULATING WINTER PRECIPITATION ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND WOULD
BE GREATLY APPRECIATED FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY.

21

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

35 winter storm, 2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Stewart

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Stewart forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.501, -87.838 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain amounts up to 1/4 of an inch fell across Stewart County from the late evening hours on January 21 to around 5am on January 22. Due to temperatures remaining below freezing, ice accumulated on all surfaces including trees, power lines, and roads. A few power lines were knocked down resulting in scattered power outages.

Freezing rain changed to snow around 6am on January 22, with snow totals around 5 inches reported across Stewart County. Emergency management reported 5 inches of snow in Dover, while CoCoRaHS station Dover 7.8 NNE measured 4.9 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Montgomery

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Montgomery forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.497, -87.383 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain amounts up to 1/4 of an inch fell across Montgomery County from the late evening hours on January 21 to between 5am and 6am on January 22. The ASOS at Clarksville Outlaw Field measured 0.23 inches of ice accretion prior to the changeover to snow at 530am on January 22. Due to temperatures remaining below freezing, ice accumulated on all surfaces including trees, power lines, and roads. Dozens of vehicle accidents were reported across the county, and I-24 was closed near the Kentucky border due to ice. Several power lines were also knocked down resulting in scattered power outages.

Freezing rain changed to snow around 6am on January 22, with snow totals between 5 and 8 inches measured across Montgomery County. A COOP observer in Clarksville measured 5 inches of snow, while a Facebook report indicated 8 inches of snow fell near Exit 1 on I-24 around 5 miles NNE of Clarksville.

Winter Storm, Robertson

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Robertson forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.526, -86.871 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain amounts up to 1/4 of an inch fell across Robertson County from the late evening hours on January 21 to around 6am on January 22. Due to temperatures remaining below freezing, ice accumulated on all surfaces including trees, power lines, and roads. Dozens of vehicle accidents were reported across the county, and I-65 was closed due to ice. Several power lines were also knocked down resulting in scattered power outages.

Freezing rain changed to snow around 6am on January 22, with snow totals between 7 and 10 inches measured across Robertson County. A COOP observer at Springfield Experimental Station measured 8 inches of snow, while a NWS employee in White House measured 10 inches of snow. CoCoRaHS station Cedar Hill 2.6 N measured 7 inches of snow, while CoCoRaHS station Greenbrier 1.4 N measured 9.5 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Sumner

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Sumner forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.469, -86.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain amounts up to 1/4 of an inch fell across Sumner County from the late evening hours on January 21 to around 6am on January 22. Due to temperatures remaining below freezing, ice accumulated on all surfaces including trees, power lines, and roads. Dozens of vehicle accidents were reported across the county, and I-65 was closed due to ice. Several power lines were also knocked down resulting in scattered power outages.

Freezing rain changed to snow around 6am on January 22, with snow totals between 7 and 11 inches measured across Sumner County. Media reports indicated 10.5 inches of snow fell in Portland, and a trained spotter measured 10 inches of snow in Millersville. A Facebook report indicated 8 inches of snow fell in north Hendersonville, while a NWS employee measured 7 inches of snow 3 miles NE of Hendersonville.

Winter Storm, Macon

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Macon forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.532, -86.007 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain amounts up to 1/4 of an inch fell across Macon County from the late evening hours on January 21 to around 6am on January 22. A tSpotter Twitter coordinator in the Siloam community 5 miles SE of Westmoreland measured 0.15 inches of ice accretion. Due to temperatures remaining below freezing, ice accumulated on all surfaces including trees, power lines, and roads. Numerous vehicle accidents were reported across the county, and several power lines were also knocked down resulting in scattered power outages.

Freezing rain changed to snow around 6am on January 22, with snow totals between 8 and 14 inches measured across Macon County. Facebook reports indicated 13.5 inches of snow fell in west Lafayette, 12 inches of snow fell 3 miles north of Lafayette, and 12 inches of snow fell in the Pumpkintown community 6 miles northeast of Lafayette. A tSpotter Twitter coordinator measured 8.1 inches of snow in the Siloam community 5 miles southeast of Westmoreland.

Winter Storm, Clay

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Clay forecast zone
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.551, -85.544 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain amounts up to 1/3 of an inch fell across Clay County from the late evening hours on January 21 to around 7am on January 22. CoCoRaHS station Red Boiling Spring 6.7 NNE measured 0.3 inches of ice accretion. Due to temperatures remaining below freezing, ice accumulated on all surfaces including trees, power lines, and roads. A few power lines were knocked down resulting in scattered power outages.

Freezing rain changed to snow around 7am on January 22, with snow totals between 7 and 10 inches measured across Clay County. CoCoRaHS station Red Boiling Spring 6.7 NNE measured 9.1 inches of snow, while CoCoRaHS station Celina 2.4 SSW measured 7.8 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Pickett

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Pickett forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.558, -85.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 9 and 12 inches were measured across Pickett County. A Facebook report indicated 11 inches of snow fell in Byrdstown, while a COOP observer measured 10.5 inches of snow in Byrdstown.

Winter Storm, Houston

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Houston forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.286, -87.717 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 3 and 5 inches were measured across Houston County. A Facebook report indicated 5 inches of snow fell 5 miles southwest of Slayden, and CoCoRaHS station Tennessee Ridge 1.4 SW measured 3 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Humphreys

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Humphreys forecast zone
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.041, -87.776 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 2 and 5 inches were measured across Humphreys County. A Facebook report indicated 2.5 inches of snow fell in New Johnsonville.

Winter Storm, Dickson

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Dickson forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 36.149, -87.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 5 and 9 inches were measured across Dickson County. CoCoRaHS station Dickson 5.8 NW measured 8.5 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Vanleer 2.8 SE measured 8.2 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Dickson 6.7 SSW measured 7.1 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Cheatham

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Cheatham forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.261, -87.087 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 5 and 8 inches were measured across Cheatham County. A COOP observer at Cheatham Dam measured 8 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Kingston Springs 0.3 ENE measured 5.5 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Davidson

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Davidson forecast zone
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.171, -86.777 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 5 and 10 inches were measured across Davidson County. A COOP observer in Joelton measured 10 inches of snow, while the official observer at Nashville International Airport measured 8 inches of snow. An NWS employee 1 mile east of Hermitage measured 6.1 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Antioch 4.3 ENE measured 6 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Belle Meade 5.3 WSW measured 5.5 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Wilson

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Wilson forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 36.155, -86.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 5 and 8 inches were measured across Wilson County. A NWS employee 0.3 miles north of Green Hill measured 8 inches of snow, and a COOP observer 7 miles north of Lebanon measured 8 inches of snow. The NWS Nashville office in Old Hickory measured 7.5 inches of snow (originally 7.1 inches but changed due to error), while a Facebook report indicated 6 inches of snow fell in Lebanon. CoCoRaHS station Lebanon 8.4 SSW measured 5.8 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Mount Juliet 4.0 SE measured 5.7 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Smith

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Smith forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.251, -85.957 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 5 and 9 inches were measured across Smith County. A Facebook report 3 miles WNW of Carthage indicated 9 inches of snow, a Twitter report in the Difficult community indicated 8 inches of snow, while the COOP observer in Carthage measured 7 inches of snow. CoCoRaHS station Gordonsville 1.4 ENE measured 5.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Hartsville 6.5 SE measured 5.2 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Jackson

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Jackson forecast zone
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 36.359, -85.673 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 7 and 10 inches were measured across Jackson County. A Facebook report indicated 7 to 9.5 inches of snow fell across Gainesboro. The Jackson County 911 Call Center reported 8 inches of snow in Gainesboro, along with widespread power outages and several roadways blocked by fallen trees across the county.

Winter Storm, Overton

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Overton forecast zone
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.345, -85.288 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals from 8 to around 12 inches were measured across Overton County. A retired NWS employee measured 12.2 inches of snow fell 4 miles east of Rickman. CoCoRaHS station Livingston 1.9 NNW measured 11 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Livingston 4.1 WSW measured 8.5 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Putnam

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Putnam forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 36.141, -85.495 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 8 and 11 inches were measured across Putnam County. A COOP observer in Monterey measured 10.5 inches of snow, while a COOP observer in Cookeville measured 9 inches of snow. CoCoRaHS station Cookeville 3.9 E measured 10 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Cookeville 3.3 SSW measured 8.1 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Monterey 3.9 W measured 8.0 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Fentress

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Fentress forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.381, -84.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals from 6 to around 12 inches were measured across Fentress County. A COOP observer measured 12 inches of snow in Allardt, and the Fentress County emergency manager measured 9.5 inches of snow 3.1 miles southeast of Jamestown. CoCoRaHS station Jamestown 13.7 S measured 6 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Cumberland

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Cumberland forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.950, -84.998 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 3 and 6 inches were measured across Cumberland County. A COOP observer at Crossville Experimental Station measured 5.3 inches of snow, while a trained spotter 8 miles east of Monterey measured 5 inches of snow. CoCoRaHS station Crossville 4.7 S measured 4.1 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Crossville 6.9 S measured 3.1 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, White

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: White forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.926, -85.455 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 4 and 8 inches were measured across White County. CoCoRaHS station Sparta 8.6 NW measured 7.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Sparta 7.1 S measured 4.0 inches of snow. A COOP observer at Sparta Sewage Plant measured 5 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Van Buren

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Van Buren forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.696, -85.453 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 3 and 7 inches were measured across Van Buren County. A Facebook report indicated 7 inches of snow fell 6 miles southeast of Spencer, and another Facebook report indicated 4 inches of snow fell in Spencer. A COOP observer at Fall Creek Falls measured 3 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Warren

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.679, -85.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 5 and 8 inches were measured across Warren County. CoCoRaHS station Mcminnville 8.5 ESE measured 7.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Morrison 1.9 SSW measured 5.0 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Cannon

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Cannon forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.809, -86.062 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 4 and 6 inches were measured across Cannon County. A Facebook report indicated 5 inches of snow fell 4 miles southeast of Woodbury, and a COOP observer measured 4 inches of snow 1 mile WNW of Woodbury.

Winter Storm, Rutherford

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Rutherford forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.843, -86.417 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 3 and 7.5 inches were measured across Rutherford County. CoCoRaHS station Murfreesboro 3.2 WSW measured 7.3 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station La Vergne 2.1 SW measured 6.8 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Murfreesboro 7.9 NNW measured 3.5 inches of snow. A Facebook report indicated 6 inches of snow fell in Smyrna, and a Twitter report indicated 4 inches of snow fell in the Kittrell community 9 miles ESE of Murfreesboro. A COOP observer measured 3.5 inches of snow 5 miles north of Murfreesboro.

Winter Storm, Williamson

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Williamson forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.894, -86.899 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 3 and 7 inches were measured across Williamson County. CoCoRaHS station Forest Hills 4.3 WSW measured 7.0 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Fairview 3.8 SW measured 4.5 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Eagleville 3.9 WSW measured 4.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Spring Hill 2.0 NNE measured 3.0 inches of snow. A Twitter report indicated 4 inches of snow fell 3 miles northwest of Franklin, and another Twitter report indicated 4 inches of snow fell in Nolensville.

Winter Storm, Hickman

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Hickman forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.803, -87.473 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 3 and 7 inches were measured across Hickman County. CoCoRaHS station Bon Aqua 3.0 ESE measured 6.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Centerville 10.4 SE measured 5.8 inches of snow. A Twitter report indicated 5 inches of snow fell in Bon Aqua, and a COOP observer measured 4 inches of snow 4 miles northeast of Centerville.

Winter Storm, Maury

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Maury forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.617, -87.077 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 1 and 4 inches were measured across Maury County. Emergency management reported 4 inches of snow 9 miles NNW of Columbia, and a Facebook report indicated 3 inches of snow in the Culleoka community 7 miles north of Lynnville. CoCoRaHS station Columbia 0.9 SE measured 2.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Columbia 1.2 SSW measured 2.0 inches of snow. A COOP observer measured 1.5 inches of snow 3 miles WNW of Columbia.

Winter Storm, Marshall

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.469, -86.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 1 and 3 inches were measured across Marshall County. CoCoRaHS station Lewisburg 6.2 SSE measured 3.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Cornersville 3.6 SE measured 2.5 inches of snow. Twitter reports indicated 2.2 inches of snow fell 7 miles northeast of Lynnville, 1.8 inches of snow fell 3 miles west of Chapel Hill, and 1 inch of snow fell 5 miles southeast of Lewisburg.

Winter Storm, Bedford

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Bedford forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.514, -86.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 1 and 5 inches were measured across Bedford County. CoCoRaHS station Bell Buckle 2.0 SE measured 4.5 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Wartrace 0.8 ESE measured 3.8 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Shelbyville 10.4 S measured 2.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Shelbyville 8.7 W measured 1.8 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Coffee

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Coffee forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.491, -86.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 3 and 5 inches were measured across Coffee County. CoCoRaHS station Manchester 2.4 NNW measured 4.5 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Manchester 6.5 ENE measured 4.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Hillsboro 3.2 SE measured 3.5 inches of snow. Facebook reports indicated 4 inches of snow fell in Hillsboro, and 3 inches of snow fell in Tullahoma.

Winter Storm, Grundy

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Grundy forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.388, -85.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 2 and 6 inches were measured across Grundy County. CoCoRaHS station Altamont 3.9 NW measured 5.5 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Beersheba Springs 2.1 ENE measured 4.2 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Gruetli-Laager 1.3 E measured 3.0 inches of snow. A COOP observer measured 2 inches of snow in Monteagle.

Winter Storm, Lawrence

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Lawrence forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.217, -87.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 1 and 4 inches were measured across Lawrence County. A Facebook report indicated 4 inches of snow fell 8 miles north of Ethridge, and a Twitter report indicated 2 inches of snow fell in Lawrenceburg. A trained spotter measured 2.5 inches of snow in Leoma.

Winter Storm, Giles

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Giles forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.202, -87.035 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 1 and 3 inches were measured across Giles County. CoCoRaHS station Ardmore 1.3 NE measured 3.0 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Cornersville 10.5 SSE measured 2.8 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Pulaski 5.4 SW measured 1.5 inches of snow. A Facebook report indicated 3 inches of snow fell in Lynnville, and a Twitter report indicated 2 inches of snow fell 15 miles southeast of Pulaski. A COOP observer measured 1 inch of snow in Pulaski.

Winter Weather, Perry

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Perry forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.643, -87.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals up to 2 inches were measured across Perry County. CoCoRaHS station Linden 7.9 NNW measured 1 inch of snow, and a COOP observer measured 2 inches of snow in Lobelville. The public reported a dusting of snow along the Tennessee River west of Linden.

Winter Weather, Wayne

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.240, -87.788 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals up to 1 inch were measured across Wayne County. A COOP observer measured 0.7 inches of snow in Waynesboro, and CoCoRaHS station Clifton 1.8 ENE measured 0.5 inches of snow. A trained spotter measured 0.25 of snow in Collinwood.

Winter Storm, Lewis

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Lewis forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 35.527, -87.493 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 1 and 3 inches were measured across Lewis County. CoCoRaHS station Hohenwald 2.2 SE measured 2.8 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Hohenwald 4.0 WNW measured 1.3 inches of snow.

Winter Storm, Dekalb

When: January 21, 9:00 PM CST to January 23, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Dekalb forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 35.980, -85.833 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow totals between 4 and 8 inches were measured across De Kalb County. CoCoRaHS station Smithville 4.9 WSW measured 8.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Dowelltown 5.8 NE measured 7.1 inches of snow. A COOP observer 2 miles southeast of Smithville measured 5 inches of snow.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
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

Every storm in Tennessee in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history Warnings in Tennessee, January 2016

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: 616660, 616662, 616664, 616666, 616667, 616670, 616671, 616830, 616839, 616843, 616845, 616850, 616852, 616853, 616855, 616858, 616867, 616884, 616885, 616906, 616908, 616912, 616916, 616920, 616937, 616942, 616947, 616953, 616955, 616957, 616959, 616960, 616961, 616963, 616965, 616967, 616982.