Multiple supercell clusters developed in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee during the late afternoon hours, which moved east across southern middle Tennessee during the mid evening hours. One of these storms produced an EF-1 tornado in Franklin County.
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 HUN wrote it up.
Multiple supercell clusters developed in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee during the late afternoon hours, which moved east across southern middle Tennessee during the mid evening hours. One of these storms produced an EF-1 tornado in Franklin County. Several reports of wind damage were received. Also, several reports of flash flooding were received in Franklin County following the thunderstorms and intense rainfall.
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 Huntsville, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 24, 5:18 PM CST, 43 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Huntsville AL 618 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020 .UPDATE... For 00Z TAFS. && .NEAR TERM...(Tonight) Issued at 208 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020 A warm front has lifted north of KHSV and KMSL to near K4A6 at 18Z. The warm sector appears capped at this point, but it is a weak cap and we already a couple of showers redeveloping in northeast AL. Various HRRR runs have suggested supercell development in western/central MS and western TN by 20-21Z. These will move rapidly east- northeast into northwest AL and southern middle TN by 23-00Z as a surface low now in NW AR reaches near Nashville around 00Z. The warm front will likely lift north of our TN counties if this occurs. There is also what appears to be a differential heating boundary from this morning's MCS located near the near the TN river into north GA connecting to the wedge front. This boundary may be the source of the showers mentioned above. The boundary separates temps from 70s south to 60s north and could play a role in enhancement of the tornado threat wherever this ends up due to potentially greater effective SRH values. A wider T/Td spread in north AL along with southwesterly flow level flow could lend to a lower tornado threat further south. However, several HRRR runs indicate supercells with UD paths even in the warm sector. Large hail looks to be a considerable threat with effective bulk shears of 60-70kt and MUCAPE values approaching 1500 j/kg. Thus, the ENH risk area looks good, especially near the warm front and surface low. Thunderstorms should exit the I-59 corridor by 03-04Z. .SHORT TERM...(Wednesday through Thursday night) Issued at 208 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020 The cold front will shift south on Wednesday with low clouds lingering through midday before stronger heating lifts/dissipates them. Depending on the timing of the cleaning, temperatures should warm into the m-u60s during the afternoon. A surface ridge will shift southeast into the upper OH and TN valleys Wednesday night and east of the Appalachians on Thursday. A combination of increasing warm advection/building heights and good solar insolation, temperatures should rebound well into the u70s to l80s. .LONG TERM...(Thursday night through Monday) Issued at 208 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020 The ridge of high pressure starts moving off to the east, increasing southerly flow, and streaming moisture into the area. Expect increasing clouds, but the WAA will raise temperatures into the low- to-mid 80s. An approaching trough will help to enhance the southerly flow Friday night into Saturday. With southerly flow and cloud cover in place, lows Friday night into Saturday will only drop into the mid-60s. Showers and thunderstorms are expected with a cold front moving through during the day on Saturday. The better dynamics will be closer to the low pressure center well north of the Tennessee Valley, however, can't rule out some stronger thunderstorms Saturday night. Pattern looks fairly messy Sunday into early next week. Behind the front on Sunday, expect some clearing, but possible shortwaves behind the front may keep some cloud cover around. Temperatures will be much more closer to climatology on Sunday as weak northerly flow brings cooler, drier air into the Tennessee Valley. We keep cooler, more seasonable temperatures into Monday, with a stationary boundary becoming more organized along the Gulf Coast. This boundary may lead to some chance of precipitation early next week, as the location of this boundary is up in the air this far out. && .AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Wednesday evening) Issued at 609 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020 VFR conditions will likely continue to lower with SHRA near occurring at both terminals after 00Z. Expect +TSRA to occur at KMSL between 00Z and 02Z and between 01Z and 04Z at KHSV. CIGS below 1000 feet near and behind the cold front are expected after 04Z and KMSL and after 06Z at KHSV. CIGS look to climb back above 1500 feet after daybreak at both sites. Wind should keep any patchy fog at bay. VFR conditions are expected to return towards 21Z at both terminals. && .HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AL...Flash Flood Watch until 1 AM CDT Wednesday for ALZ001>010. TN...Flash Flood Watch until 1 AM CDT Wednesday for TNZ076-096-097. && NEAR TERM...17 SHORT TERM...17 LONG TERM...McCoy AVIATION...KTW For more information please visit our website at weather.gov/huntsville.
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Huntsville AL 434 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020 ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-251130- Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-DeKalb-Cullman-Moore-Lincoln-Franklin TN- 434 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north Alabama and portions of southern middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Tonight... Another round of scattered thunderstorms will continue to develop and increase in coverage ahead of an approaching cold front late this afternoon and this evening. Conditions appear favorable for the development of a few severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. A Tornado Watch is in effect for all of the forecast area until 10 PM CDT. A Flash Flood Watch also remains in effect until 1 AM Wednesday morning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday... Additional thunderstorms are possible across the region on Saturday, although coverage and intensity is expected to be lower at this point. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... The activation of storm spotters and emergency management personnel is ongoing into the evening. 20 / RB
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
324 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020
ALZ006-242115-
Madison AL-
324 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN MADISON COUNTY UNTIL 415
PM CDT...
At 324 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
northwestern Huntsville, moving northeast at 30 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Huntsville, Moores Mill, Meridianville, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama A
And M University, University Of Alabama In Huntsville, New Market,
Ryland and Plevna.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Strong gusty winds will be capable of knocking down small tree limbs
along with other small unsecured items. Seek safe shelter until this
storm has passed.
&&
LAT...LON 3497 8640 3488 8634 3487 8635 3486 8635
3485 8634 3483 8633 3480 8635 3469 8666
3479 8672
TIME...MOT...LOC 2024Z 239DEG 27KT 3477 8663
AMPSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Huntsville AL
406 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020
ALZ002-003-242130-
Franklin AL-Colbert AL-
406 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2020
...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHERN COLBERT AND FRANKLIN
COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM CDT...
At 405 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southwest of Belgreen, or 9 miles east of Red Bay, moving
northeast at 55 mph.
Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Russellville, Tuscumbia, Red Bay, Littleville, Belgreen, Vina, Posey
Loop, Atwood, Tharptown and Duketon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Strong gusty winds will be capable of knocking down small tree limbs
along with other small unsecured items. Seek safe shelter until this
storm has passed.
Cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike several miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a
safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3456 8815 3465 8813 3473 8757 3439 8758
3432 8813 3432 8817
TIME...MOT...LOC 2105Z 239DEG 49KT 3442 8797
AMPThe Northeast Alabama radar (KHTX), 36 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:01 UTC.
24 thunderstorm wind, 8 flash flood, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees and power lines were knocked down on Lakeview Street near Estill Springs.
A tree was knocked down and blocking a lane of the road at Dripping Springs Road and Dry Creek Lane.
Trees and a power line were knocked down at 329 Lakeview Street.
A tree was knocked down blocking one lane of road around the intersection of Dripping Springs Road and Dry Creek Lane.
A tree was knocked down at Garden Street at Tulip Street.
A two foot diameter tree was knocked onto the road on Blue Spring Road near Floyd Lane.
A tree was knocked down across the roadway on Cherry Street.
A tree was knocked down on Perkins Street.
A two foot diameter tree was knocked down across the road on Woodcrest Drive.
A tree was knocked down on Perkins Street.
A barn was torn down on Knights Church Road north of Decherd.
Two trees were knocked down at 243 Falcon Drive.
A garage was torn down and numerous trees were knocked down on Williams Road northeast of Decherd.
A tree and power line were knocked down on Sam Tag Lane.
A tree was knocked down in the curve on Blue Spring Road before Floyd Lane.
A tree and power line were knocked down on Isbell Drive.
A roof was damaged with water leaking in the living room of a home on Floyd Lane northeast of Decherd.
An EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of 95 MPH struck east central Franklin County from 2 miles north of Cown to 2 miles north-northwest of Sewanee. The main damage indicators|were a combination of hard and softwood trees with either branches snapped, trunks snapped, or uprooted. The area of concentrated damage was first observed near Greenshaw Road near Wagner Creek where a couple of trees were uprooted. The tornado ascended up the ridge and snapped several trees as it approached the Cedar Mt. Place area. This damage coincided with a distinct and brief tornado debris signature (TDS) on the KHTX radar. A Franklin County Emergency Management Agency drone was able to capture the path from the valley west of Cedar Mt. Place and eastward toward Cedar Mt. Court. Sporadic damage reports were noted as the tornado descended the ridge near the Roarks Cove area.
A tree was knocked down on the road at 4382 Greenhaw Road.
Several trees down at 874 Cedar Mountain Place.
A tree was knocked down on Rutledge Ford Road just off of U.S. Highway 64.
Trees were knocked down on Sewanee Summit Road just past the bridge.
A tree was blocking the road at East Roarks at Roarks Cove Road at the bottom of the mountain.
Trees were knocked down and blocking the roadway at 2656 Roarks Cove Road.
A tree was blocking the road at East Roarks Cove Road at Garner Road.
Shahan Road flooded between Blue Creek Road and Rock Creek Road. Depth of water unknown.
Hill Road flooded at Yellow Branch. Depth of water unknown.
Water across the roadway on Old Alto Highway just past Long Lane. Depth of water unknown.
Water over the roadway at the bridge on Paynes Church Road. Depth of water unknown.
Prairie Chapel Road flooded a foot deep just past Sherrill Lane.
Water covering both lanes of Highway 130. Depth of water unknown.
Water reported over the road at Awalt and Highway 140. Depth of water unknown.
Water over the road at the intersection of Roarks Cove Road and Partin Gipson Lane. Depth of water known.
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, March 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: 880703, 880863, 880873, 880702, 880704, 880875, 880705, 880871, 880706, 880707, 880708, 880865, 880709, 880710, 880711, 880869, 880712, 880701, 880874, 880864, 880713, 880861, 880866, 880868, 880867, 883239, 883240, 883241, 883243, 883246, 883247, 883248, 883249.