After a major winter storm brought significant freezing rain, sleet, and snow to Middle Tennessee earlier in the week, another winter storm from Wednesday February 17 into Thursday February 18, 2021, brought the most widespread, heavy snowfall Middle Tennessee had seen in 5 years. The majority of the snow fell during the afternoon and evening hours on February 17, but another wave of light snow…
Every event with a place to put it; 36 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.
After a major winter storm brought significant freezing rain, sleet, and snow to Middle Tennessee earlier in the week, another winter storm from Wednesday February 17 into Thursday February 18, 2021, brought the most widespread, heavy snowfall Middle Tennessee had seen in 5 years. The majority of the snow fell during the afternoon and evening hours on February 17, but another wave of light snow occurred during the late morning and afternoon on February 18. Snowfall totals ranged from 2 to 6 inches across Middle Tennessee, with the heaviest amounts across Wayne, Lawrence, and Giles Counties.
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 Feb 17, 2:41 PM CST, 1 hour 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Nashville TN 241 PM CST Wed Feb 17 2021 .DISCUSSION... Snow showers have been slowly working their way into the southwest zones this afternoon ahead of the upper Plains trough. Radar indicating that melting layer is around 1500-2000 ft, which is a little lower than model soundings suggest. CAMs and even some of the long term models continue to highlight the southwest to northeast orientation of the heavier snow axis, especially the far southwest/south through southern Rutherford to DeKalb Counties. NAM/GFS and even the HRRR have hinted at strong omega values in that region co-located with the dendritic growth zone, and with deep moisture in that layer as well, heavy snow rates will be possible. Q vector convergence as well as strong jet support aloft further increases the potential for heavy snow rates over that area also. Current forecast has around 4 to 5 inches in that area, but should snow continue longer without freezing rain/sleet mixing in through the evening, snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour or greater and locally higher snowfall totals will be possible. Similar to the previous event, freezing rain and sleet will rob moisture from the snow totals, especially sleet, so if any sleet and freezing rain occur with snow from 00Z-06Z, snow totals will drop in those areas that see a mix. However, current forecast shows the majority of the area seeing all snow this evening, with exception to the southern Plateau where temps may climb just above freezing around or just before midnight. After 06Z, the upper trough axis will be approaching the MS River, and models start bringing in a dry slot from the southwest. Its at this point that soundings start showing some drier layers aloft, and freezing rain may mix in with the last bit of heavy snow as it moves off to the northeast. Moisture drops off quite a bit at this point as well, so by sunrise Thursday, we may be looking at freezing drizzle and light snow as the primary precip types through the morning. Models keep QPF amounts low during the day Thursday, and as long as the first part of the event remains mostly snow, ice accum amounts should stay around or less than a tenth of an inch area wide. The Winter Storm Warning does go through 6 pm Thursday, but should the system move out faster and the freezing drizzle/snow doesnt amount to too much during the day Thursday, the warning may be cancelled early. Since temperatures look to linger near freezing and another complicated low level forecast amplifies difficulty, any additional mixing of precip with the snow will cut into snowfall totals. Most of the snowfall for this event will be from the late afternoon through early morning hours just after midnight, so if any mixing occurs during that time, snow amounts will be lowered. Friday will be cold, but dry, and the sun may show itself by the afternoon. Ridging will build in by Sunday, so temps will be on the rise for the remainder of the forecast. Quick shot at rain and a rain snow mix will move in Sunday night, but right now doesnt look to have any impacts. Monday and Tuesday will be dry with highs getting into the 50s for some Monday and even mid to upper 50s Tuesday and Wednesday. && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF DISCUSSION. VFR conditions initially, but that will not last. A winter storm is moving in. Conditions will deteriorate rapidly with IFR upcoming by 22Z-02Z.At that time, snow will move into the BNA MQY and CKV areas, The amounts will be a little lighter at CKV, but still IFR. For CSV...more of a snow and rain mix is expected. The heaviest precip will fall between roughly 00Z and 04Z. But...light to moderate precip will continue through much of the taf period. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Nashville 28 34 19 32 14 / 90 50 10 0 0 Clarksville 24 31 15 29 10 / 90 50 10 0 0 Crossville 30 38 21 32 14 / 100 50 20 10 0 Columbia 27 34 18 32 12 / 90 50 10 0 0 Lawrenceburg 27 34 18 33 13 / 90 40 10 0 0 Waverly 26 34 18 34 13 / 90 40 10 0 0 && .OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Thursday for Bedford-Cannon-Cheatham-Clay-Coffee-Cumberland-Davidson-De Kalb-Dickson-Fentress-Giles-Grundy-Hickman-Houston-Humphreys- Jackson-Lawrence-Lewis-Macon-Marshall-Maury-Montgomery-Overton- Perry-Pickett-Putnam-Robertson-Rutherford-Smith-Stewart-Sumner- Trousdale-Van Buren-Warren-Wayne-White-Williamson-Wilson. && DISCUSSION......Barnwell AVIATION........21
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Nashville TN 254 PM CST Wed Feb 17 2021 TNZ005>011-023>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-182100- 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- 254 PM CST Wed Feb 17 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Middle Tennessee. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect starting at 3 pm for the western half of the mid state and at 6 pm for the eastern half of the mid state through 6 pm Thursday. Expect snow and sleet to develop during the afternoon and last through the night. Traveling conditions will become even more challenging owing to ice and snow that remains on the ground from the last event. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. The Winter Storm Warning will continue on Thursday as snow and sleet continues for much of the day. Total accumulations of 2 to 5 inches can be expected in most places. In addition, light accumulations of freezing rain are also possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed. Please relay any information about observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state, and CDC guidelines. 06
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
36 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Snow totals up to 2 inches were reported across the county.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Clarksville 3.4 NNW measured 3.8 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Clarksville 13.6 SSE measured 3.3 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Clarksville 8.5 S measured 3.0 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Cedar Hill 2.6 N measured 3.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Springfield 1.8 WSW measured 3.0 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 4.5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Westmoreland 5.4 NNE measured 4.2 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Bethpage 4.5 NW measured 4.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Hendersonville 2.9 NE measured 2.8 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. The public reported 4 inches of snow in Lafayette, and Twitter reports indicated 3.5 inches of snow fell in Siloam.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Celina 0.3 NNE measured 3.7 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Red Boiling Springs 6.7 NNE measured 3.5 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to around 3 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Byrdstown 2.8 SSW measured 3.1 inches of snow. Social media reports indicated 2.5 inches of snow fell in Byrdstown.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Erin 5.4 ESE measured 4.0 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 4.5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Vanleer 2.8 SE measured 4.5 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Dickson 12.7 NW measured 4.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Dickson 6.3 WSW measured 3.0 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 3.5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Kingston Springs 2.8 WNW measured 3.1 inches of snow. Social media reports indicated 3 inches of snow fell in Ashland City.
Snow totals up to 3.5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Antioch 4.3 ENE measured 3.1 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Belle Meade 0.4 W measured 3.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Madison 1.2 WSW measured 3.0 inches of snow. The Nashville International Airport observer measured 2.8 inches of snow. The roof of a dock at Blue Turtle Bay Marina in Old Hickory on Old Hickory Lake collapsed onto numerous houseboats due to the weight of ice and snow, although no one was injured. Another metal carport also collapsed onto a vehicle in south Nashville due to the weight of the ice and snow.
Snow totals up to around 5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Lebanon 11.5 SSE measured 5.2 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Gallatin 5.7 SSE measured 4.9 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Mount Juliet 4.0 SE measured 3.3 inches of snow. Staff at NWS Nashville near Green Hill measured 3.0 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to around 5.5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Carthage 8.7 NNE measured 5.5 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Elmwood 4.5 NNE measured 5.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Carthage 2.8 WSW measured 4.0 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to around 4 inches were reported across the county. Social media reports indicated 3.5 inches of snow fell in Gainesboro.
Snow totals up to 3 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Livingston 4.1 WSW measured 3.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Rickman 3.8 ESE measured 1.9 inches of snow. Social media reports indicated 3 inches of snow fell in Livingston.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Jamestown 3.1 SE measured 4.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Clarkrange 6.0 NE measured 3.8 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 3 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Cookeville 5.4 WNW measured 2.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Cookeville 1.0 SW measured 2.5 inches of snow. Social media reports indicated 2 to 3 inches of snow fell in Cookeville.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Crossville 5.8 SSW measured 4.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Fairfield Glade 0.1 NNW measured 2.5 inches of snow. The public reported 4 inches of snow in Pleasant Hill, social media reports indicated 3.5 inches of snow fell in Crossville, and a trained spotter measured 3 inches of snow in Rinnie.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. Social media reports indicated 4 inches of snow fell in Lobelville.
Snow totals up to 3 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Bon Aqua 3.0 ESE measured 2.9 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Centerville 9.5 N measured 1.7 inches of snow. Social media reports indicated 3 inches of snow fell in Bon Aqua.
Snow totals up to 5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station College Grove 0.3 SSW measured 5.0 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Eagleville 3.9 WSW measured 4.7 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Franklin 4.4 W measured 3.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Nolensville 2.4 SW measured 3.5 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Murfreesboro 5.5 NNW measured 5.0 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Rock Vale 4.5 S measured 4.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Christiana 3.0 W measured 4.2 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Centertown 9.0 WSW measured 3.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Woodbury 4.0 SE measured 2.8 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 3 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Smithville 4.9 WSW measured 3.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Dowelltown 5.8 NE measured 3.0 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Sparta 8.6 NW measured 2.0 inches of snow. Social media reports indicated 4 inches of snow fell on Bon Air Mountain.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Hohenwald 2.2 SE measured 3.0 inches of snow. Social media reports indicated 4 inches of snow fell in Hohenwald. A carport collapsed onto a vehicle in Hohenwald due to the weight of ice and snow.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Columbia 1.2 SSW measured 3.2 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Lewisburg 6.2 SSE measured 4.7 inches of snow, CoCoRaHS station Lewisburg 4.2 NNE measured 4.5 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Cornersville 3.6 SE measured 4.0 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Shelbyville 3.1 ESE measured 4.0 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Shelbyville 8.9 WSW measured 4.0 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Manchester 2.6 WNW measured 3.3 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Manchester 6.5 ENE measured 2.5 inches of snow.
Snow totals up to around 5 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Mcminnville 8.5 ESE measured 5.1 inches of snow, and CoCoRaHS station Morrison 1.9 SSW measured 3.0 inches of snow. Social media reports indicated 4 inches of snow fell in Irving College.
Snow totals up to around 5 inches were reported across the county. Social media reports indicate 5 inches of snow fell in Hartsville.
Snow totals up to 4 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Beersheba Springs 2.1 ENE measured 3.6 inches of snow. Emergency management reported 2 to 3 inches of snow across most of the county.
Snow totals up to 6 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Waynesboro 4.7 WSW measured 4.6 inches of snow. Media reports indicated 5 inches of snow fell in Waynesboro.
Snow totals up to 6 inches were reported across the county. CoCoRaHS station Loretto 5.2 NE measured 5.0 inches of snow. Media reports indicated 6 inches of snow fell in Loretto, and 5 inches of snow fell in Lawrenceburg.
Snow totals up to 6 inches were reported across the county. Media reports indicated 6 inches of snow fell in Minor Hill, 5 inches of snow fell in Pulaski, and 4.5 inches of snow fell in Stella.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, February 2021
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: 946054, 946056, 946057, 946058, 946060, 946061, 946063, 946064, 946065, 946066, 946069, 946070, 946071, 946072, 946075, 946076, 946079, 946081, 946084, 946085, 946086, 946087, 946088, 946089, 946090, 946091, 946092, 946093, 946094, 946095, 946096, 946097, 946098, 946099, 946100, 946101.