Tennessee, 2024

Drought in Tennessee, January 1 to 31, 2024

January 1 to 31, 2024 · NWS OHX · 36 events in 36 counties and zones

Beneficial moisture across Middle Tennessee led to significant drought improvement in January 2024. By the end of January, zero percent of the area was in extreme drought while 22 percent of the area was in severe drought.

Where it happened

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.

  • 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
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
36

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.

Beneficial moisture across Middle Tennessee led to significant drought improvement in January 2024. By the end of January, zero percent of the area was in extreme drought while 22 percent of the area was in severe drought. This was a marked improvement from December 2023 when over half the area was in at least severe drought. By the end of January, Nashville had officially measured 5.40 inches of precipitation, about 1.38 inches above normal for the month.

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 Dec 31, 10:41 PM CST, 1 hour 19 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 31, 10:41 PM CST, 1 hour 19 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Nashville TN
1041 PM CST Sun Dec 31 2023

...New AVIATION...

.UPDATE...
Issued at 1022 PM CST Sun Dec 31 2023

A cold front is moving south through the area this evening
bringing with it temperatures in the 30s. Temperatures will
continue to fall into the mid to low 30s as we approach midnight,
but it will feel around 5 to 10 degrees cooler thanks to a light
breeze. The good news is that this is a dry front, so no cold
precip to dampen the celebrations. The only change needed to the
current forecast was a slight increase to overnight lows and an
adjustment to hourly temperatures.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Tuesday Night)
Issued at 138 PM CST Sun Dec 31 2023

Today is definitely the choice pick day over the next 7. Under
mostly sunny skies temperatures are in the 50s. A dry fropa is still
slated for later this afternoon and evening. This will usher in some
cooler air. The new prevailing surface high will move in and
eventually reach the mid state by Tuesday morning. High clouds will
then increase Tuesday afternoon ahead of a potential mid week storm
system.

For the near term temps, turning colder tonight. In fact the next 2
overnights will feature lows in the 20s. Perhaps a few upper teens
readings for Tuesday morning. Highs will be in the 40s.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday through next Sunday)
Issued at 138 PM CST Sun Dec 31 2023

In the extended forecast, looks like a weakening fropa for early
Wednesday. Then a couple of storm systems are noted through the
period. One will occur mid week but the models are trending toward
keeping the moisture to our south. The builder will utilize just a
low pop for showers to cover the uncertainty. There is also a slight
chance of snow mixing in with the rain during the early morning
hours.

The second system looks as though it will be stronger and further
north. There is some potential for some good upper level support as
well so perhaps a rain and snow mix but confidence this far out is
low. 7 day rainfall/liq equiv amounts look like just a half inch
to an inch or so.

For the extended temps, its looking rather steady state with values
close to normal. Lows upper 20s to lower 30s and highs in the 40s.
Those lows will be more in the 30s range as we move into the weekend
timeframe.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1040 PM CST Sun Dec 31 2023

A MVFR cloud deck has dropped into the area. While there will be
some flucuation back to VFR overnight, MVFR should return mid-
morning and hang out through the day.

Winds will be less than 10 kts and northwesterly.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Nashville      30  43  26  47 /   0   0   0   0
Clarksville    29  41  24  46 /   0   0   0   0
Crossville     24  36  22  45 /   0   0   0   0
Columbia       27  43  24  47 /   0   0   0   0
Cookeville     27  37  24  44 /   0   0   0   0
Jamestown      25  35  24  44 /   0   0   0   0
Lawrenceburg   27  43  24  47 /   0   0   0   0
Murfreesboro   25  43  21  47 /   0   0   0   0
Waverly        28  41  23  45 /   0   0   0   0

&&

.OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

UPDATE.......Whitehead
SHORT TERM...21
LONG TERM....21
AVIATION.....Unger

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

36 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Wayne

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Wayne forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.240, -87.788 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to severe drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Lawrence

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lawrence forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.217, -87.396 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to severe drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Giles

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Giles forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.202, -87.035 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to severe drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Lewis

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lewis forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.527, -87.493 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to severe drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Maury

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Maury forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.617, -87.077 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to severe drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Marshall

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Marshall forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.469, -86.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Bedford

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Bedford forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.514, -86.459 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Coffee

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Coffee forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.491, -86.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Grundy

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Grundy forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.388, -85.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Perry

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Perry forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.643, -87.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to severe drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Hickman

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Hickman forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.803, -87.473 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to severe drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Williamson

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Williamson forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.894, -86.899 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe to extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Rutherford

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Rutherford forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.843, -86.417 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe to extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Cannon

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Cannon forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.809, -86.062 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Warren

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Warren forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.679, -85.778 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Van Buren

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Van Buren forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.696, -85.453 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, White

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
White forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.926, -85.455 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Cumberland

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Cumberland forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.950, -84.998 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Humphreys

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Humphreys forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.041, -87.776 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to severe drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Dickson

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Dickson forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.149, -87.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe to extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Cheatham

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Cheatham forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.261, -87.087 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Davidson

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Davidson forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.171, -86.777 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Wilson

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Wilson forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.155, -86.298 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe to extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Smith

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Smith forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.251, -85.957 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe to extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Dekalb

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Dekalb forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
35.980, -85.833 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Putnam

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Putnam forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.141, -85.495 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Overton

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Overton forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.345, -85.288 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe to extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Fentress

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Fentress forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.381, -84.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe to extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Jackson

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.359, -85.673 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe to extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Clay

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.551, -85.544 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Pickett

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Pickett forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.558, -85.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Stewart

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Stewart forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.501, -87.838 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Houston

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Houston forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.286, -87.717 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe to extreme drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Montgomery

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.497, -87.383 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Sumner

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Sumner forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.469, -86.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

Drought, Trousdale

When
January 1, 12:00 AM CST to January 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Trousdale forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
36.392, -86.157 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Severe drought conditions from December 2023 improved to abnormally dry conditions in January 2024.

What these are

Drought
A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Tennessee in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, January 2024

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: 1150358, 1150359, 1150360, 1150361, 1150362, 1150363, 1150364, 1150365, 1150366, 1150367, 1150368, 1150369, 1150370, 1150371, 1150372, 1150373, 1150374, 1150375, 1150376, 1150377, 1150378, 1150379, 1150380, 1150381, 1150382, 1150383, 1150384, 1150385, 1150386, 1150387, 1150388, 1150389, 1150390, 1150391, 1150392, 1150393.