Widely scattered thunderstorms developed across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon hours on August 20. A few storms became severe and produced damaging winds and minor flooding.
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.
Widely scattered thunderstorms developed across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon hours on August 20. A few storms became severe and produced damaging winds and minor flooding.
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 20, 11:59 AM CST, 1 hour 43 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Nashville TN 1259 PM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019 .UPDATE... FOR 18Z AVIATION DISCUSSION. && .DISCUSSION... Removed morning wording. Tweaked hrly temp, dewpoint, and wind speed/direction grids. Current temp trends across mid state region generally in line with forecasted afternoon high temp values. Remainder of the forecast continues to be on track. && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF DISCUSSION. Isolated -SHRA have begun popping up west of BNA and north of CSV, with VCSH at all airports this afternoon. Large complex of TSRA across Illinois will move southeast and weaken as it moves across all airports this evening, with -SHRA/VCTS. Precip should be out of terminals by 03-05Z. Light south to west winds this afternoon will become northwest with convection this evening. && .OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for Giles-Hickman- Houston-Humphreys-Lawrence-Lewis-Perry-Stewart-Wayne. && DISCUSSION......31 AVIATION........Shamburger
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Nashville TN 1203 PM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019 TNZ005>011-023>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-211000- 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- 1203 PM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Excessive heat is likely for locations approaching the Tennessee River Valley and across southwestern portions of the mid state this afternoon as maximum heat indices values approach 107 degrees. For locations west of the Cumberland Plateau Region, maximum afternoon heat index values are expected to range between 100-105 degrees. Some strong thunderstorms, along with a few severe thunderstorms, will be possible this afternoon and evening mainly for locations around and north of I-40. With any strong to severe thunderstorms that do develop, strong to damaging wind gusts will be the main concerns. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Maximum afternoon heat index values Wednesday afternoon will be around 100 degrees for locations west of Cumberland Plateau Region. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may possibly be needed this afternoon and evening. Spotter Thunderstorm Reporting Criteria... Tornado Funnel Cloud Flooding Hail >= 1/2 Inch Winds > 50 MPH (Measured) Structural Damage Trees or Power Lines Down 31
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Nashville TN 1053 AM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019 TNZ006>009-025>029-059>062-075-210000- Montgomery-Robertson-Sumner-Macon-Dickson-Cheatham-Davidson- Wilson-Trousdale-Williamson-Maury-Marshall-Rutherford-Bedford- Including the cities of Clarksville, Springfield, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Lafayette, Dickson, Ashland City, Kingston Springs, Nashville, Lebanon, Mount Juliet, Hartsville, Franklin, Brentwood, Columbia, Lewisburg, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, and Shelbyville 1053 AM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019 |...Hot and Humid Conditions Expected Today... Heat and humidity will increase across Middle Tennessee today. Across central portions of the mid state, maximum afternoon heat index values will range from 100 to 105 degrees during the afternoon hours. Specifically, this will be for locations generally along and west of a Clarksville to Lewisburg line to locations generally along and east of a Lafayette to Shelbyville line. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. Remember to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioning when possible, and limit exposure to the sun. Be sure to check on relatives, neighbors, and the elderly. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles as car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. For additional heat safety tips and resources, visit weather.gov/safety/heat. 31
Special Weather Statement...UPDATED National Weather Service Nashville TN 1245 PM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019 TNZ006>009-025>029-059>062-075-210000- Montgomery-Robertson-Sumner-Macon-Dickson-Cheatham-Davidson- Wilson-Trousdale-Williamson-Maury-Marshall-Rutherford-Bedford- Including the cities of Clarksville, Springfield, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Lafayette, Dickson, Ashland City, Kingston Springs, Nashville, Lebanon, Mount Juliet, Hartsville, Franklin, Brentwood, Columbia, Lewisburg, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, and Shelbyville 1245 PM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019 ...Hot and Humid Conditions Expected Today... Heat and humidity will increase across Middle Tennessee today. Across central portions of the mid state, maximum afternoon heat index values will range from 100 to 105 degrees during the afternoon hours. Specifically, this will be for locations generally along and east of a Clarksville to Lewisburg line to locations generally along and west of a Lafayette to Shelbyville line. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. Remember to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioning when possible, and limit exposure to the sun. Be sure to check on relatives, neighbors, and the elderly. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles as car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. For additional heat safety tips and resources, visit weather.gov/safety/heat. 31
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
216 PM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019
TNZ026-027-202000-
Davidson TN-Cheatham TN-
216 PM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHWESTERN DAVIDSON AND SOUTH
CENTRAL CHEATHAM COUNTIES UNTIL 300 PM CDT...
At 216 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Pegram, or 11 miles south of Ashland City. This storm was nearly
stationary.
Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Pegram and Bellevue.
This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 192 and 199.
LAT...LON 3618 8697 3608 8689 3604 8702 3614 8707
3617 8699
TIME...MOT...LOC 1916Z 246DEG 0KT 3611 8701
13Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Nashville TN 239 PM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019 TNZ027-202000- Davidson TN- 239 PM CDT Tue Aug 20 2019 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL DAVIDSON COUNTY UNTIL 300 PM CDT... At 239 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near East Nashville. This storm was nearly stationary. Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Madison. East Nashville. 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. && LAT...LON 3628 8672 3614 8661 3613 8673 3624 8686 TIME...MOT...LOC 1939Z 067DEG 1KT 3619 8672 13
The Nashville radar (KOHX), 19 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:42 UTC.
9 thunderstorm wind, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Power lines were knocked down and a power pole was snapped near the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Stainback Avenue in East Nashville.
A 10-inch diameter tree was blown down in the Lockland Springs area of East Nashville.
Several trees and tree limbs were blown down in and around Shelby Bottoms Park.
The roof of a business on Lebanon Pike was blown off to the southwest with part of the roof landing in the roadway.
Numerous trees were blown down in Billy Dunlop Park and Robert Clark Park in Clarksville with trails blocked and both parks closed.
Trees were blown down on Highway 49 and also on Highway 13 at Bateman Branch Road. Pea size hail was also reported.
Power lines were blown down on Needmore Road at Tiny Town Road. Pea size hail was also reported.
Street flooding affected several roads in northern Clarksville including Tiny Town Road.
A tSpotter Twitter report and video showed a microburst blew down 3 trees on Ridge Road in Lobelville.
A tree was blown down at Okolona Road and Oak Hill Road.
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: 854180, 854179, 854178, 854177, 854184, 854185, 854186, 854187, 854189, 854190.