An upper level low pressure system over the Ohio Valley caused numerous showers and thunderstorms across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon hours on April 25. One storm became severe and produced an EF-1 tornado in far eastern Wilson and western Smith Counties that caused three injuries.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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.
An upper level low pressure system over the Ohio Valley caused numerous showers and thunderstorms across Middle Tennessee during the afternoon hours on April 25. One storm became severe and produced an EF-1 tornado in far eastern Wilson and western Smith Counties that caused three injuries.
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 Apr 25, 1:45 PM CST, 1 hour 58 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Nashville TN 245 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020 .DISCUSSION... Showers and thunderstorms continue across the mid state this afternoon, with little changes suggested by the models. Latest CAM guidance still shows developing thunderstorms moving across the area this afternoon, and possibly becoming severe along and east of I-65 before this evening. There's been a little clearing per satellite imagery, so some additional heating may provide more surface based instability and increase potential for some strong to severe storms. Low level shear still looks decent for a spin up tornado or two, and early radar signatures have seen some weak rotation so far. Still looking for hail and some damaging winds as the main threats with any strong to severe storms that may develop, with an isolated tornado possible not out of the question. Surface winds will pick up this afternoon as well mentioned in the earlier discussion, and have 10 to 20 mph winds with gusts to around 30 mph possible later this afternoon through Sunday morning. Another lobe of the upper trough will swing through the area Sunday, bringing additional chances for showers. Best chances look to be over the eastern zones during the afternoon when the trough axis moves over the region. Monday looks to be dry, but with northwest flow aloft, there will be some embedded shortwave troughs that try to bring rain chances back to the area. Later on Monday, some shortwave activity aloft does work its way southeastward from the Plains, but looks to weaken before it reaches the mid state. The GFS has some precip just reaching the TN River Valley, but kept the mid state dry through Monday night. On Tuesday, another shortwave from the west and a deeper trough from the northwest will weaken the northwest flow a bit, and may allow for some showers to finally sneak into the northwest Tuesday afternoon. As the strong trough continues to strengthen and dig southeastward later Tuesday into Tuesday night, much better chances for showers will move in, especially during the overnight hours. The trough axis and associated cold front will move through the area Wednesday, ending the chances for showers and thunderstorms from west to east. However, as the trough lingers just off to the northeast of the area, some backside showers will be possible during the night Wednesday into the day Thursday, mainly in the east. Upper ridging will work its way in behind the trough, so kept conditions dry Friday through the weekend, with some showers possible later on Sunday. && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF DISCUSSION. Waves of showers and a few storms will continue to impact TAF sites throughout the afternoon. A few strong storms with gusty winds are possible. Occasional drops in visibilities are expected with the heaviest showers. Winds will increase out of the southwest and west and remain gusty into the overnight hours. Cigs will fall as we head into the evening and will likely remain low into the daytime hours on Sunday. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Nashville 49 56 41 70 50 / 50 60 10 0 10 Clarksville 47 58 39 69 51 / 60 60 0 10 10 Crossville 44 50 39 65 44 / 60 70 30 0 10 Columbia 48 58 40 70 50 / 50 30 10 0 10 Lawrenceburg 47 59 41 70 50 / 40 20 0 0 10 Waverly 47 60 41 70 52 / 40 10 0 0 10 && .OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NONE. && DISCUSSION......Barnwell AVIATION........11
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Nashville TN 502 AM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020 TNZ005>011-023>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-261000- 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- 502 AM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible from late morning for locations along and southwest of I-24 and across these locations and remainder of mid state region as afternoon hours progress. Main concern will be large hail, although damaging winds and isolated tornadoes can not be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed late morning through afternoon hours today. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. Spotter Thunderstorm Reporting Criteria... Tornado Funnel Cloud Flooding Hail >= 1/2 inch Winds > 50 MPH (Measured) Structural Damage Trees or Power Lines Down JB Wright
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Nashville TN 301 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020 TNZ064-065-078-080-252030- Van Buren TN-De Kalb TN-Warren TN-White TN- 301 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN DE KALB... NORTHWESTERN VAN BUREN...CENTRAL WARREN AND SOUTHWESTERN WHITE COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM CDT... At 301 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near McMinnville, moving northeast at 40 mph. Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... McMinnville, Spencer, Morrison, Doyle, Rock Island State Park and Fall Creek Falls State Park. LAT...LON 3558 8585 3568 8594 3600 8558 3576 8534 TIME...MOT...LOC 2001Z 236DEG 34KT 3567 8582 Shamburger
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
316 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020
TNZ007-252045-
Robertson TN-
316 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN ROBERTSON COUNTY UNTIL
345 PM CDT...
At 315 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Coopertown, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Springfield, White House, Millersville, Greenbrier, Coopertown,
Ridgetop and Cross Plains.
This includes Interstate 65 between mile markers 106 and 109.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This storm has weak rotation and 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 3647 8665 3645 8668 3642 8675 3638 8698
3643 8702 3657 8676
TIME...MOT...LOC 2015Z 243DEG 23KT 3642 8695
ShamburgerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
327 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020
TNZ032-065-066-252115-
Putnam TN-Cumberland TN-White TN-
327 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL CUMBERLAND...WHITE
AND SOUTHEASTERN PUTNAM COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM CDT...
At 326 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northwest of Spencer, moving northeast at 50 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Crossville, Sparta, Monterey, Pleasant Hill, Doyle, Hamptons
Crossroads, Bakers Crossroads, Virgin Falls State Natural Area and
Lake Tansi.
This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 291 and 324.
LAT...LON 3581 8527 3582 8527 3580 8536 3582 8546
3581 8547 3582 8548 3581 8550 3581 8553
3579 8552 3581 8557 3581 8560 3579 8560
3587 8565 3589 8564 3589 8566 3622 8538
3594 8493
TIME...MOT...LOC 2026Z 236DEG 41KT 3582 8552
27Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Nashville TN 345 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020 TNZ008-027-028-252115- Davidson TN-Wilson TN-Sumner TN- 345 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN DAVIDSON...SOUTH CENTRAL SUMNER AND NORTHWESTERN WILSON COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM CDT... At 344 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Berry Hill, moving northeast at 40 mph. Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Nashville, Gallatin, Lebanon, Hendersonville, Mount Juliet, Oak Hill, Lakewood, Hermitage, Rural Hill, Antioch, Belinda City, Old Hickory, Berry Hill, Green Hill and Percy Priest Lake. This includes the following highways... Interstate 40 between mile markers 206 and 238. Interstate 65 between mile markers 77 and 86. Interstate 24 between mile markers 47 and 58. Interstate 840 between mile markers 75 and 76. LAT...LON 3602 8675 3616 8684 3641 8644 3619 8627 TIME...MOT...LOC 2044Z 238DEG 33KT 3613 8672 Shamburger
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
350 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020
TNZ065-066-080-252145-
Cumberland TN-Van Buren TN-White TN-
350 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CUMBERLAND...NORTHEASTERN VAN
BUREN AND SOUTHEASTERN WHITE COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CDT...
At 350 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles east of Spencer, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Crossville, Fairfield Glade, Crab Orchard, Lake Tansi, Cumberland
Mountain State Park, Slate Springs, Indian Rock Lake, Virgin Falls
State Natural Area and Fall Creek Falls State Park.
This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 318 and 338.
LAT...LON 3576 8503 3577 8504 3576 8507 3577 8516
3576 8526 3572 8527 3567 8532 3579 8541
3612 8486 3608 8483 3610 8482 3609 8480
3605 8479 3600 8472 3592 8468
TIME...MOT...LOC 2050Z 237DEG 34KT 3576 8528
27Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
417 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020
TNZ028-062-252145-
Rutherford TN-Wilson TN-
417 PM CDT Sat Apr 25 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHWESTERN RUTHERFORD AND
CENTRAL WILSON COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CDT...
At 416 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
La Vergne and Smyrna, moving northeast at 45 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Lebanon, Smyrna, La Vergne, Watertown, Walterhill, Rural Hill, Cedars
Of Lebanon State Park, Tuckers Crossroads and Gladeville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 40 between mile markers 235 and 248.
Interstate 24 between mile markers 64 and 70.
Interstate 840 between mile markers 59 and 76.
LAT...LON 3630 8617 3604 8605 3592 8658 3597 8661
3599 8661 3599 8662 3601 8661 3603 8656
3607 8652 3607 8653 3608 8652 3609 8652
TIME...MOT...LOC 2116Z 243DEG 43KT 3601 8652
ShamburgerThe Nashville radar (KOHX), 66 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:45 UTC.
2 tornado, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Strong south winds blew down several trees on Short Mountain Road as well as a telephone line on Big Hill Road.
This tornado quickly developed and strengthened to EF-1 intensity along Bell Road in far eastern Wilson County where several trees were downed and roof and siding damage occurred to a two story house. The tornado traveled northeast and hit another house on Bluebird Road causing roof damage. Nearly the entire tree line along the driveway to this house was shredded with tree limbs and debris covering the ground. The tornado then crossed Interstate 40 where an 18-wheeler was flipped on its side causing a traffic accident where 3 injuries were reported. Additional damage was observed on North Commerce Road and Dawson Lane where additional trees were damaged. Crossing into Smith County, the tornado caused minor damage to a few roofs, trees, and a trampoline in a neighborhood along Winding Hills Lane at Colby Lane. Further to the northeast, minor tree damage was once again observed on Opossum Hollow Road and an outbuilding was destroyed. On Grant Highway, several buildings were damaged at the Grant Cedar Mill, which also sustained damage from the EF-3 Nashville/Mount Juliet/Lebanon Tornado on March 3, 2020. From there, the tornado path became very difficult to determine as it crossed the wide damage path from the March 3rd EF-3 tornado into an area with no public roadways, and is estimated to have ended east of Grant Highway where some damaged trees could be seen. However, the tornado path may be extended eastward in the future once high resolution satellite imagery is available. The combined tornado path across Wilson and Smith Counties was estimated to be 3.81 miles.
This tornado quickly developed and strengthened to EF-1 intensity along Bell Road in far eastern Wilson County where several trees were downed and roof and siding damage occurred to a two story house. The tornado traveled northeast and hit another house on Bluebird Road causing roof damage. Nearly the entire tree line along the driveway to this house was shredded with tree limbs and debris covering the ground. The tornado then crossed Interstate 40 where an 18-wheeler was flipped on its side causing a traffic accident where 3 injuries were reported. Additional damage was observed on North Commerce Road and Dawson Lane where additional trees were damaged. Crossing into Smith County, the tornado caused minor damage to a few roofs, trees, and a trampoline in a neighborhood along Winding Hills Lane at Colby Lane. Further to the northeast, minor tree damage was once again observed on Opossum Hollow Road and an outbuilding was destroyed. On Grant Highway, several buildings were damaged at the Grant Cedar Mill, which also sustained damage from the EF-3 Nashville/Mount Juliet/Lebanon Tornado on March 3, 2020. From there, the tornado path became very difficult to determine as it crossed the wide damage path from the March 3rd EF-3 tornado into an area with no public roadways, and is estimated to have ended east of Grant Highway where some damaged trees could be seen. However, the tornado path may be extended eastward in the future once high resolution satellite imagery is available. The combined tornado path across Wilson and Smith Counties was estimated to be 3.81 miles.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Tennessee, 2020Warnings in Tennessee, April 2020
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: 888625, 888623, 888624.