Hail and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, May 4, 2020

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, May 4, 2020
Start: 2020-05-04T18:08
End: 2020-05-04T21:15
Location: Tennessee

May 4, 2020 · NWS OHX · 24 events in 8 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 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: $125,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 24

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.

Just one day after a derecho brought widespread wind damage to Middle Tennessee, another complex of severe thunderstorms called a MCS (Mesoscale Convective System) developed across western Tennessee in the afternoon hours on May 4, then moved across southern Middle Tennessee during the evening hours. These storms once again produced widespread straight-line wind damage across Perry, Lewis, Wayne, Lawrence, and Giles Counties, and also dropped very large hail up to lime size in parts of Wayne County. Behind these storms, an uncommon feature called a wake low formed on the back edge of the rain shield across the Nashville metro area and surrounding counties, producing strong southeast winds of 40 to 60 mph for around one hour late in the evening. These winds, although well north of the severe thunderstorms along the Alabama border, nevertheless caused additional widespread wind damage from Lewis County northeastward to Wilson County.

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 May 4, 4:51 PM CST, 1 hour 17 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 4, 4:51 PM CST, 1 hour 17 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Nashville TN
551 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

.UPDATE...
FOR 00Z AVIATION DISCUSSION.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Our focus remains on the potential for severe storms this
afternoon and evening. A gradient of surface-based CAPE is
climbing above 1500-2000+ J/kg across the southern half of the Mid
State. Increasing theta-e values are slowly pushing north toward
the I-40 corridor, along with 60+ degF dew points. This energy is
located in the vicinity of a northward-advancing warm front. If a
storm or two develops near the warm front over the next few
hours, damaging winds and large hail will become a concern. Low-
level SSE winds in the vicinity of the warm front are such that
any storm that latches onto that environment will pose an
increased tornado threat.

Out to the west, several bowing clusters of storms are diving
southeast toward the MO bootheel. These storms are what the CAMs
have been hammering home all day, racing into the Mid State after
5 PM. The desired storm trajectories looks to be similar or
perhaps a bit farther south than yesterday's track. Buying into
this solution would take the bulk of activity along and south of
the I-40 corridor this evening. With that being said, storm
complexes like what we are seeing today can have a mind of their
own, creating their own environments to work around. The threat
for damaging winds, large hail, and a tornado or two will
accompany the storms...especially as they sink south toward a more
primed environment. To summarize, strong to severe storms are
possible late this afternoon into the late evening for much of
Middle Tennessee. For your safety, have multiple ways to receive
warnings and be ready to act on your severe weather plans if
storms approach your location.

Rain and a few storms may continue along the KY/TN border
overnight, though the severe threat looks lower. The flooding
threat may increase there if storms begin to train over the same
locations. Light showers could linger through midday on Tuesday,
ending west to east during the afternoon. Wednesday and Thursday
look dry and mild with more rain/storms entering the picture on
Friday. So far, next weekend appears largely dry and mild...good
for any outdoor plans.

Again, remain weather aware this evening!

&&

.AVIATION...
00Z TAF DISCUSSION.

Upcoming taf package will adhere strongly to the trajectory
focused migration of storms currently to the west northwest
across northwestern TN and extending across the MO bootheel. The
instability gradient is rather impressive as you go from northeast
to southwest across the mid state this evening.

Given the latest trajectory and instability setup...it appears
that the strongest activity will move south of the taf sites this
evening. It will be watched very carefully, but the upcoming tafs
will reflect a decrease, to some degree of the current convective
tempo group wind mags. Nevertheless, a period of showers and
tstms can be expected this evening. The potentially strong
activity will reach the CKV site around the 00Z to 02Z time
frame...01Z to 03Z for bna and MQY...and CSV around 02Z to 04Z.
Wind gusts to 35 kts will still be possible for the taf
sites...25kts to 30 kts for CSV.

Off and on shower activity will follow with potential non
threatening vcts covg until 12z.

&&

.OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.

&&

DISCUSSION......21
AVIATION........21

Hazardous weather outlook, May 4, 5:25 AM CST, 12 hours 43 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Nashville TN
625 AM CDT Mon May 4 2020

TNZ005>011-023>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-051130-
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-
625 AM CDT Mon May 4 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Middle Tennessee.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible again during the
afternoon and evening across the mid state, with main threats being
hail, damaging winds, and flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 4, 5:08 PM CST, 1 hour before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
608 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

TNZ028-062-063-050000-
Cannon TN-Rutherford TN-Wilson TN-
608 PM CDT Mon May 4 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL RUTHERFORD...SOUTH
CENTRAL WILSON AND NORTHWESTERN CANNON COUNTIES UNTIL 700 PM CDT...

At 607 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Smyrna, or 8 miles northwest of Murfreesboro, moving east at 25 mph.

Penny size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Walterhill, Auburntown, Cedars Of Lebanon State
Park, Lascassas and Milton.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 24 between mile markers 68 and 79.
 Interstate 840 between mile markers 49 and 64.

LAT...LON 3582 8654 3595 8658 3616 8621 3585 8606
TIME...MOT...LOC 2307Z 251DEG 23KT 3591 8654

Whitehead

The radar

The Ft Campbell radar (KHPX), 136 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:05 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

15 thunderstorm wind, 5 hail, 4 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Perry

When: May 4, 6:08 PM CST
Where: Perry County, 0.94 mi SW of Linden
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 35.610, -87.861

Hail up to quarter size fell on Airport Ridge Road.

Hail, Perry

When: May 4, 6:48 PM CST
Where: Perry County, Linden
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 35.620, -87.850

Quarter size hail was reported near Linden.

Hail, Wayne

When: May 4, 6:57 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 3.17 mi NNW of Clifton Hassell Arpt
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.424, -87.984

Two inch diameter hail was reported in the Beech Creek area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Perry

When: May 4, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Perry County, 3.33 mi E of Peters Lndg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 35.477, -87.941

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down on Whiteoak Creek Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wayne

When: May 4, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, 0.5 mi ESE of Waynesboro
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 35.318, -87.761

A large tree was uprooted on Hassell Street near the Town Square in downtown Waynesboro.

Hail, Wayne

When: May 4, 7:18 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, Lutts
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.150, -87.950

Golfball size hail was reported in Lutts.

Hail, Wayne

When: May 4, 7:20 PM CST
Where: Wayne County, Lutts
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 35.150, -87.950

A Facebook photo showed 2 inch diameter hail fell near Lutts.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:29 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.84 mi WNW of New Haven
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.318, -87.576

A tree was blown down onto a power line at Gravel Hill Road near Highway 64.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:33 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 0.63 mi SE of Henryville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.392, -87.394

Highway 240 was blocked by a fallen tree in Henryville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.63 mi W of Summertown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.428, -87.329

A tree was blown down across Buffalo Road near Highway 240. Many other trees were blown down across northern and northwestern Lawrence County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.03 mi SE of Barnesville
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.406, -87.359

A tree was blown down across Highway 240 near Locker Road in Summertown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:38 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.63 mi NW of Summertown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.446, -87.321

A tree was blown down that blocked part of Highway 20.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:38 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.27 mi WNW of Summertown
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.434, -87.322

A tree was blown down that blocked Railroad Bed Road in Summertown.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:41 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.02 mi NNE of Lawrenceburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.275, -87.310

Winds of 55 to 60 mph were reported on Mattoxtown Road in north Lawrenceburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:43 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.53 mi NNE of Dunn
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.220, -87.337

Power lines were blown down at Virginia Drive and Highway 43.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:43 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 0.81 mi ESE of Lawrenceburg
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.244, -87.318

A tree was blown down across Springer Road in east Lawrenceburg and pea size hail was reported in west Lawrenceburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:44 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 2.61 mi N of Lawrenceburg Arpt
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.268, -87.250

Trees were blown down that blocked Weekly Creek Road at Miller Road east of Lawrenceburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lawrence

When: May 4, 7:44 PM CST
Where: Lawrence County, 1.15 mi NW of Gum Spgs
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.213, -87.313

A tree was blown down onto a car trapping a person inside at 1290 Crowder Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Giles

When: May 4, 7:57 PM CST
Where: Giles County, Pulaski
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 35.200, -87.020

Several power lines were blown down in Pulaski.

High Wind, Lewis

When: May 4, 8:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Lewis forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 35.527, -87.493 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Giles

When: May 4, 8:05 PM CST
Where: Giles County, Minor Hill
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.050, -87.150

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across Giles County with approximately 40 roads blocked.

High Wind, Williamson

When: May 4, 8:15 PM CST to 9:15 PM CST
Where: Williamson forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.894, -86.899 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wake low pressure area on the back side of the precipitation associated with the severe thunderstorms across southern Middle Tennessee caused strong to severe southeast winds of 40 to 60 mph across Williamson County. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in Fairview, Franklin, Nolensville, and Brentwood with several roads blocked.

High Wind, Davidson

When: May 4, 8:30 PM CST to 9:15 PM CST
Where: Davidson forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.171, -86.777 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wake low pressure area on the back side of the precipitation associated with the severe thunderstorms across southern Middle Tennessee caused strong to severe southeast winds of 40 to 60 mph across Davidson County. Numerous trees, power lines, and fences were blown down in Goodlettsville, Old Hickory, Hermitage, East Nashville, Green Hills, 12 South, and other areas of Nashville with numerous roads blocked. One tree limb fell through the roof of a home in East Nashville. Power was knocked out to around 15,000 customers. The Nashville International Airport ASOS measured a peak wind gust of 47 mph, along with a rapid sea level pressure fall of 9.4 mb between 9pm to 10pm CDT followed by a sharp sea level pressure rise of 3.4 mb from 10pm CDT to 11pm CDT.

High Wind, Wilson

When: May 4, 8:30 PM CST to 9:15 PM CST
Where: Wilson forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.155, -86.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wake low pressure area on the back side of the precipitation associated with the severe thunderstorms across southern Middle Tennessee caused strong to severe southeast winds of 40 to 60 mph across Wilson County. Numerous trees, power lines, and fences were blown down in Green Hill, Mount Juliet, and Lebanon. Some roads that were blocked by fallen trees included Saundersville Road near the NWS Nashville office; Buffalo Trail, Noel Drive, and Dallas Drive in Mount Juliet; and Interstate 40 eastbound in Lebanon. One tree fell onto a car on North Greenhill Road in Mount Juliet.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Tennessee in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in Tennessee, May 2020

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: 897728, 897730, 897731, 897732, 897733, 897729, 897734, 897735, 898623, 897736, 897737, 898621, 898622, 898624, 898625, 898626, 898627, 898628, 898629, 898631, 898630, 898632, 898633, 898634.