Numerous strong to severe thunderstorms developed across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon hours on August 13. Many reports of wind damage, wind gusts measured over 50 knots, large hail, and some flash flooding were received.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS OHX wrote it up.
Numerous strong to severe thunderstorms developed across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon hours on August 13. Many reports of wind damage, wind gusts measured over 50 knots, large hail, and some flash flooding were received.
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 Aug 13, 1:21 PM CST, 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Nashville TN 221 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019 .DISCUSSION... We're in a bit of a lull here waiting for more widespread convection to begin. A couple of storms are on the Cumberland Plateau at forecast time, but these should move off the Plateau in less than an hour and our focus will then shift to our northwest counties. A few storms have popped up in Montgomery and Roberston counties, but I think the main development is still behind these storms, as the front is back in the Paducah area. It still looks like all of the necessary ingredients are in place for damaging wind gusts with storms that develop this afternoon and evening. Surface based CAPE values in excess of 5000 J/Kg are blanketing areas west of I-65, downdraft CAPEs are around 1200 J/Kg, mid-level lapse rates are good (~7.0 degrees/Km) and bulk shear values of 25-30 kts are being seen, too. Not off the chart, but with the instability values in place, it's not going to require a whole lot of shear to help organize at least a couple of updrafts long enough to warrant several warnings late this afternoon and evening. PW values are also off the charts, obviously. This morning's OHX sounding was showing just over 2.0 inches and latest LAPS sounding have increased those numbers to 2.16 inches in the Metro area. Storm motions are just high enough so I'm not overly concerned about rainfall, but these storms will be efficient rainmakers, so some localized flooding isn't out of the question in areas that typically see poor drainage. You know who you are. Most of the storm activity will push south of I-40 for the evening hours and should be falling apart prior to the midnight hour and once it ends, that's going to be it in the rain department for several days. Temperatures will fall back towards normals for this time of the year and drier air will help those 90-ish afternoon temperatures feel more bearable. The dry air will also make a couple of evening feel much cooler, too. As we get into the last half of the workweek and into Saturday, the upper level pattern should shift and become more southwesterly. This will help temperatures rebound back into the mid-90s once again for the weekend. Dew points will also be on the rise and Sunday night, precipitation returns to the forecast. The first half of next week could be wet, but at least we should be dry most of this weekend. && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF DISCUSSION. The first line of thunderstorms that came out of Kentucky this morning have worked their way south of I-40 as of 17Z. Still expect more thunderstorms to develop later this afternoon. VCTS will be a safe bet all across Middle TN this afternoon and will use that at all TAF sites starting at 18Z. Also tried to use the higher resolution models to time the expected lines of thunderstorms via TEMPO groups. For BNA and MQY expect this to be between 22Z and 01Z. For CSV there could be two waves...one from 20Z to 22Z and then again from 00Z to 02Z. CKV was a bit harder as it looks like the line of storms should develop east of here. With that thinking will leave the VCTS for CKV. Conditions should be VFR expect for in and around thunderstorms where MVFR and IFR can be expected. Once the thunderstorms die off later this evening...overnight fog becomes an issue. IFR conditions will be possible area wide starting around to after 08Z. Winds will be southwest around 10kts this afternoon and evening. Gustier in and around thunderstorms. Winds will become more northerly tomorrow. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Nashville 74 90 68 91 68 / 60 0 0 0 0 Clarksville 71 88 65 88 66 / 20 0 0 0 0 Crossville 69 83 63 84 61 / 80 10 0 0 0 Columbia 72 89 66 90 66 / 80 0 0 0 0 Lawrenceburg 72 87 66 89 65 / 80 0 0 0 0 Waverly 72 89 67 89 67 / 40 0 0 0 0 && .OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for Bedford-Cannon- Cheatham-Clay-Coffee-Davidson-De Kalb-Dickson-Giles-Hickman- Houston-Humphreys-Jackson-Lawrence-Lewis-Macon-Marshall-Maury- Montgomery-Perry-Putnam-Robertson-Rutherford-Smith-Stewart- Sumner-Trousdale-Wayne-Williamson-Wilson. && DISCUSSION......Unger AVIATION........12
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Nashville TN 501 AM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019 TNZ005>011-023>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-141000- 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- 501 AM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A Heat Advisory is in effect west of the Cumberland Plateau today. A dangerous combination of heat and humidity is expected this afternoon with heat index values reaching 105 to 109 degrees. Heat safety precautions are advised for any outdoor activities. Scattered to numerous strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across southern Kentucky this afternoon, then spread southeastward across all of Middle Tennessee from late afternoon into the evening. Damaging winds are the main threat with these storms, with heavy rainfall and localized flooding also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is requested for this afternoon and evening. Shamburger
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
232 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019
TNZ026-027-132015-
Davidson TN-Cheatham TN-
232 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN DAVIDSON AND CENTRAL
CHEATHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM CDT...
At 231 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ashland City, moving east at 30 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Ashland City, Nashville, Madison, Goodlettsville, Forest Hills, Oak
Hill, Belle Meade, Pegram, Joelton, Beaman Park, Bells Bend and
Whites Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3631 8669 3606 8681 3613 8716 3617 8716
3618 8715 3619 8715 3633 8714
TIME...MOT...LOC 1931Z 282DEG 27KT 3622 8708
13Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
237 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019
TNZ007-008-132015-
Robertson TN-Sumner TN-
237 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN SUMNER AND ROBERTSON
COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM CDT...
At 236 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Springfield, moving east at 30 mph. Other thunderstorms were
developing across the area as well.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Springfield, Hendersonville, Goodlettsville, White House,
Millersville, Greenbrier, Coopertown, Ridgetop, Cross Plains,
Portland, Orlinda, Adams, Cedar Hill, Mitchellville and Black Jack.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3665 8642 3632 8664 3634 8672 3638 8673
3641 8675 3639 8678 3636 8679 3644 8708
3664 8704 3665 8659 3663 8656 3665 8651
TIME...MOT...LOC 1936Z 281DEG 27KT 3654 8698
13Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
253 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019
TNZ008-009-027>029-062-132030-
Rutherford TN-Davidson TN-Wilson TN-Trousdale TN-Sumner TN-Macon TN-
253 PM CDT Tue Aug 13 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR DAVIDSON...NORTHWESTERN
RUTHERFORD...SUMNER...WESTERN WILSON...WESTERN MACON AND TROUSDALE
COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM CDT...
At 252 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles north of Gallatin to near Bellevue.
Movement was east at 30 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Locations impacted include...
Gallatin, Lebanon, Lafayette, Hartsville, Nashville, Madison,
Hendersonville, Smyrna, La Vergne, Mount Juliet, Goodlettsville,
White House, Millersville, Forest Hills, Oak Hill, Belle Meade,
Lakewood, Westmoreland, Hermitage and Rural Hill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for
Middle Tennessee.
LAT...LON 3658 8591 3597 8648 3613 8700 3614 8700
3663 8643
TIME...MOT...LOC 1952Z 290DEG 24KT 3648 8647 3615 8696
13The Nashville radar (KOHX), 31 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:12 UTC.
30 thunderstorm wind, 6 hail, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Twitter report indicated a tree was blown down on Charlotte Pike just east of the Nashville West shopping center.
Facebook report indicated tree branches and tree debris were blown down on River Road.
A tree was blown down that blocked Caldwell Lane between Caldwell Court and General Bate Drive.
A Twitter tSpotter report and photo showed nickel size hail fell in West Meade.
A Twitter tSpotter report and photo showed pea to nickel size hail fell around 1 mile south of Crieve Hall.
A Twitter tSpotter report indicated tree damage in Crieve Hall.
A Twitter tSpotter report indicated a tree was blown down across Hill Road in front of Granbery Elementary School.
A large tree was snapped near Highway 70 at Highway 109.
An airport hangar under construction at the Lebanon Airport collapsed due to high thunderstorm winds.
A tree was blown down across the road at Coles Ferry Road near Cairo Bend Road.
A tree was blown down in the 1485 block of Old Hunters Point Pike.
A Facebook report indicated trees were blown down in the Cedar Glen area of La Vergne.
A Twitter tSpotter report indicated tree damage and pea size hail in Smyrna.
An outdoor detached carport was blown into the yard of a neighboring home in La Vergne.
Numerous trees were blown down along Vesta Road.
Trees were blown down on Sulphur Springs Road.
Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the Lake Forest subdivision in La Vergne with some falling on cars and homes.
Facebook photos showed extensive siding blown off a home at 269 Hollandale Road.
Several trees were blown down around the Blair Road and Rock Springs Road area.
A tree was blown down on Rocky Fork Road near Stewart Creek Elementary School.
A tree was blown down blocking Belle Meade Boulevard near Bonaventure Place.
A large tree was blown down on Linwood Drive blocking one lane.
A Facebook report indicated trees were blown down in the Grant community.
Facebook photos showed quarter size hail fell in College Grove.
Large tree limbs were blown down on Bievins Hill Road near Goochie Ford Road.
A Twitter tSpotter report indicated 3/4 inch hail fell in Arrington.
Flash flooding affected roads across much of south Nashville. Twitter tSpotter reports, photos and videos showed water covering numerous roadways including West End Avenue near Montgomery Bell Academy, Natchez Trace at West End Avenue, I-440 near West End Avenue, I-440 at I-24, the I-65 South ramp to I-440 West, Bransford Road and Craighead Road near the Fairgrounds, and 24th Avenue near Vanderbilt University between the 25th Avenue parking garage and the VA Hospital. Two cars stalled in high water on Morrow Road under I-40.
Lawrence County EMA reported quarter size hail fell and caused car windshield damage along Highway 20 in Summertown just west of the Lawrence/Maury County line.
The roof was blown off a trailer home on Old Nashville Dirt Road.
The KSYI Shelbyville AWOS measured a wind gust of 51 knots / 59 mph.
A Twitter tSpotter report indicated a tree was blown down on Rhea Branch Road in Campbellsville.
Hail up to quarter size was reported near Campbellsville.
A tree and power lines were blown down on Cascade Hollow Road near Schmeide Machinery.
Trees were blown down across Gant Road.
RAWS station MERT1 Meriwether Lewis measured a wind gust of 63 mph.
A tree and power lines were blown down on Highway 13 South near the Linden Water Plant.
Glenn Spring Road at West Point Road was under water and closed.
A tree was blown down on Highway 13 South near Dales Market.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, August 2019
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: 853989, 853990, 853991, 853992, 853994, 853995, 853996, 853997, 853999, 854000, 854001, 854003, 854004, 854005, 854006, 854007, 854008, 854010, 854011, 854012, 854015, 854016, 854017, 854018, 854019, 854020, 854047, 854021, 854023, 854024, 854022, 854025, 854026, 854028, 854029, 854031, 854069, 854035.