A weak shortwave trough, coupled with ample instability, supportive shear and lapse rates, helped drive a broken line of severe thunderstorms across southwestern North Carolina, delivering damaging winds to the two counties.
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 MRX wrote it up.
A weak shortwave trough, coupled with ample instability, supportive shear and lapse rates, helped drive a broken line of severe thunderstorms across southwestern North Carolina, delivering damaging winds to the two 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 Morristown, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 2, 2:20 PM EST, 4 hours 45 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Morristown TN 320 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Saturday) Issued at 256 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 Key Messages: 1. Showers and storms are expected late this afternoon into tonight, some of which are expected to be severe this afternoon into the evening hours. Damaging wind gusts and large hail will be the primary severe weather threats, with confidence greatest along and west of I-75. 2. Additional showers and storms Saturday, with a few strong to severe storms possible with wind the primary threat along with a lower chance for large hail. Discussion: Short wave energy moving through the southwest flow aloft will keep showers and thunderstorms going into the first part of the night across the area. The severe threat will continue this afternoon into the evening, with MLCAPE values this afternoon of 1000 to 2000 J/kg this afternoon, EBWD around 30 to 35 kts and mid-level lapse rates to 6.5-7.0 C/km indicating an environment that will support strong cells, some with rotating updrafts, that will be capable of producing damaging winds and large hail. The threat of a tornado is low, but the western portions of the area are in the 2% SPC tornado threat area and this looks reasonable. In addition, localized flooding may occur in areas that see repeated or prolonged periods of heavy rainfall. Most of the CAMS suggest the back side of the current severe threat will be the line of convection that moves east and weakens as it crosses our area this evening. The cold front to our west will draw closer Saturday, and additional short wave energy will be rounding the base and moving up the east side of the upper low centered to our northwest. We will see additional showers and thunderstorms on Saturday. The picture is muddier for the details of how strong the storms will be, with significant variations in the shear and convective energy profiles from model to model. The HREF has mean MUCAPE values peaking between 500 and 1000 J/kg Saturday, and the NAM, which is on the aggressive side but does not look unreasonable, shows EBWD values reaching 30 to 40 kts mostly due to speed. Overall, the marginal risk from SPC for Saturday still looks reasonable with damaging winds the primary threat, along with a lower threat of large hail especially across the northeast. There will also continue to be the possibility of localized flooding in areas that see repeated or prolonged periods of heavy rainfall. && .LONG TERM... (Saturday night through next Friday) Issued at 256 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 Key Messages: 1. Showers and storms decrease Saturday night, but isolated to scattered showers and possibly a few storms especially north Sunday. 2. Cooler Sunday and Monday, then high temperatures not too far from normal for the latter periods. 3. Increasing chances for scattered showers and storms for Wednesday through Friday. Discussion: The cold front will finally push through and off to our east Saturday night. The showers and thunderstorms will diminish overnight, as deep layer drying moves in from the west. Models are in decent agreement that the upper low to our northwest will linger over the region into Tuesday, then will lift off to the northeast with short wave ridging aloft building in Tuesday. We will see mainly isolated to scattered showers and perhaps a few rumbles of thunder especially north closer to the upper low on Sunday, and there may be a few showers mainly north Monday as well. Both Sunday and Monday will see high temperatures below seasonal normals. Tuesday looks dry as the short wave ridging builds in, with highs near to just a bit below normal. For the latter part of the period, models generally depict another slow moving upper low to our west drifting east toward our area, but the details are still very uncertain. Overall, the trend it toward an increase in chances for showers and storms for Wednesday through Friday, with high temperatures near to just a bit above normal for this time of year. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 105 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 Difficult to time thunderstorms at any given terminal, but right now the probility appears to peak late this afternoon into the evening, iwth another peak coming in late in the period mainly CHA and TYS. Will try to cover the peak times with tempo and prob30 thunder groups with MVFR cigs/vsby. Will also carry VCTS all sites early in the period as there will be some scattered convection around. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Chattanooga Airport, TN 61 71 52 71 / 70 90 40 20 Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport, TN 61 74 55 71 / 70 90 70 30 Oak Ridge, TN 60 71 53 70 / 80 90 70 30 Tri Cities Airport, TN 58 78 55 71 / 60 90 90 50 && .MRX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NC...NONE. TN...NONE. VA...NONE. && SHORT TERM... AVIATION...
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Morristown TN 304 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 NCZ060-061-TNZ012>018-035>047-067>074-081>087-098>102-VAZ001-002- 005-006-008-031915- Cherokee-Clay-Scott TN-Campbell-Claiborne-Hancock-Hawkins- Sullivan-Johnson-Morgan-Anderson-Union-Grainger-Hamblen- Northwest Cocke-Cocke Smoky Mountains-Northwest Greene- Southeast Greene-Washington TN-Unicoi-Northwest Carter- Southeast Carter-Roane-Loudon-Knox-Jefferson-Northwest Blount- Blount Smoky Mountains-North Sevier-Sevier Smoky Mountains- Sequatchie-Bledsoe-Rhea-Meigs-McMinn-Northwest Monroe- Southeast Monroe-Marion-Hamilton-Bradley-West Polk-East Polk-Lee- Wise-Scott VA-Russell-Washington VA- 304 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025 /204 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest North Carolina...east Tennessee and southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening, some of which will be strong to severe. Damaging winds and hail are the primary concerns. Confidence in severe weather is highest for areas along and west of Interstate 75. Additionally, localized flooding will be possible in any locations that see repeated or prolonged periods of heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday There's a low risk of strong to severe storms Saturday afternoon, with the primary risk being damaging winds along with a lower risk of large hail. Additionally, localized flooding will be possible in any locations that see repeated or prolonged periods of heavy rain Saturday into early Saturday evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter reports may be needed late Friday afternoon and again on Saturday.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
614 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
TNZ099-100-022300-
Bradley TN-Hamilton TN-
614 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN BRADLEY AND SOUTHEASTERN
HAMILTON COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM EDT...
At 612 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Harrison, or 8 miles northeast of Chattanooga,
moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Chattanooga, East Brainerd, South Cleveland, Hopewell, Lakesite, Red
Clay State Park, Harrison Bay State Park, Collegedale, East Ridge,
and Ooltewah.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
This storm 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.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
east Tennessee.
&&
LAT...LON 3516 8532 3525 8524 3531 8496 3529 8495
3530 8494 3529 8493 3533 8489 3533 8487
3499 8493 3499 8529
TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 229DEG 20KT 3514 8513
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
19Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
617 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
TNZ012>014-VAZ001-022230-
Claiborne TN-Scott TN-Campbell TN-Lee VA-
617 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CLAIBORNE...
NORTHEASTERN CAMPBELL...NORTHEASTERN SCOTT AND WESTERN LEE COUNTIES
THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 617 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Zion Hill to Wilkerson to 7 miles south of
Pruden. Movement was northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jellico, Cumberland Gap, Arthur, Ketchen, Indian Mountain State Park,
Winfield, Clairfield, Powell River Preserve, White Oak, and
Harrogate.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for
east Tennessee...and southwestern Virginia.
&&
LAT...LON 3660 8347 3646 8383 3653 8406 3656 8447
3660 8443 3658 8369 3662 8365 3665 8356
TIME...MOT...LOC 2217Z 228DEG 38KT 3663 8427 3658 8400 3648 8386
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
631 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
TNZ098-099-022315-
Marion TN-Hamilton TN-
631 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN MARION AND SOUTHWESTERN
HAMILTON COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM EDT/615 PM CDT/...
At 631 PM EDT/531 PM CDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near South Pittsburg to
Kimball to near Bridgeport. Movement was east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Kimball, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, South Pittsburg, Haletown
(guild), Fairmount, East Ridge, Hicks Gap State Park, Jasper, and
Walden.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT/800 PM
CDT/ for east Tennessee.
&&
LAT...LON 3510 8586 3518 8539 3515 8539 3519 8535
3508 8514 3499 8517 3499 8586
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 262DEG 32KT 3509 8576 3504 8567 3496 8563
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
634 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
TNZ040>043-022300-
Cocke Smoky Mountains TN-Northwest Greene TN-Northwest Cocke TN-
Southeast Greene TN-
634 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN COCKE AND
SOUTHWESTERN GREENE COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM EDT...
At 634 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Parrottsville, or 11 miles northeast of Newport, moving northeast at
25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Caney Branch, Mohawk, Mosheim, Cedar Creek, Parrottsville, and
Greeneville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm 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 3593 8299 3602 8316 3624 8308 3626 8305
3612 8276
TIME...MOT...LOC 2234Z 210DEG 21KT 3605 8303
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
BWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
711 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
TNZ018-047-030000-
Southeast Carter TN-Johnson TN-
711 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN JOHNSON COUNTY THROUGH
800 PM EDT...
At 711 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Peoria, or near Beech Mountain, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mountain City, Trade, Neva, and Elk Mills.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm 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 3634 8175 3635 8178 3636 8179 3634 8184
3630 8191 3624 8195 3623 8197 3633 8203
3649 8180 3641 8173 3641 8174 3636 8172
3635 8171 3634 8171
TIME...MOT...LOC 2311Z 239DEG 13KT 3630 8195
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Morristown TN
740 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
TNZ017-042-044-VAZ005-030030-
Sullivan TN-Washington TN-Northwest Greene TN-Scott VA-
740 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN SULLIVAN...NORTHWESTERN
WASHINGTON...NORTHEASTERN GREENE AND SOUTHEASTERN SCOTT COUNTIES
THROUGH 830 PM EDT...
At 739 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles west of Gray, or 10 miles southwest of Kingsport, moving
northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Gray, Tri-City Airport, Oak Grove, Blountville, Spurgeon, Sullivan
Gardens, Fall Branch, Warriors Path State Park, Kingsport, and
Colonial Heights.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3628 8265 3637 8276 3640 8273 3640 8271
3643 8268 3645 8269 3648 8267 3649 8263
3651 8263 3652 8261 3654 8261 3670 8248
3653 8223
TIME...MOT...LOC 2339Z 223DEG 23KT 3640 8264
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
BWThe Knoxville radar (KMRX), 135 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:02 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe thunderstorm winds felled several trees. Additionally, hail of unknown size fell during the storm.
Numerous reports of small hail during the storms. Severe thunderstorms also felled numerous trees in Warne, Shooting Creek, and Tusquittee.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, May 2025
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: 1262937, 1262939.