A potent winter storm impacted all of Middle Tennessee on January 10, 2025. With cold air already in place, a strong low pressure system and plenty of moisture brought heavy snow to the area.
Every event with a place to put it; 34 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.
A potent winter storm impacted all of Middle Tennessee on January 10, 2025. With cold air already in place, a strong low pressure system and plenty of moisture brought heavy snow to the area. The heaviest snow was reported generally west of Interstate 24 where 4 to 6 inches of snow fell. Snow rates dropped closer to the Cumberland Plateau which generally reported 1 to 3 inches of snow. Regardless, major travel impacts were reported areawide due to the slick and icy road conditions.
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 Jan 9, 8:41 PM CST, 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Nashville TN 841 PM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 ...New UPDATE... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 830 PM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 - High chance of significant snow accumulation and major travel impacts Friday into early Saturday. - Cold temperatures through the weekend with lows in the teens and 20s. - Temperatures below freezing during nighttime hours next week will re-freeze any melted snow, resulting in black ice and continued hazardous travel especially on secondary roads. && .UPDATE... Issued at 830 PM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 Have updated the short-term grids with the most recent model data and there's no appreciable change in the forecast. We are still expecting widespread amounts of 4-7". Some locations will likely exceed that range. Other locations, mainly our southern areas near the TN/AL border, can expect less than 4", but also with light ice accumulations. Either way, the impacts are going to be the same area-wide. Radar imagery shows the leading edge of the snow just now reaching the Memphis Metro Area. The environment across Middle Tennessee is still relatively dry. Dew points are mostly in the teens, and the evening sounding from OHX gives a Precipitable Water of just 0.16", which is actually below the 10th percentile for this date. So we're going to need quite a bit of moisture advection in order for precipitation to start reaching the ground. That should happen rather quickly now that the upper ridge has passed east of Middle Tennessee and the upper flow is in the process of turning southwestward. The forecast is still on track. && .SHORT TERM... (Rest of today through Friday) Issued at 1137 AM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 Oh, to be sitting on a beach sipping a Mai-Tai. That would be nice, but nope. We're in Middle TN staring down the loaded barrel of a winter weather event tomorrow that is going to bring the area to a stand-still for at least a couple of days. Overall, there isn't a ton of change to the forecast. Bottom Line Up Front: major travel impacts are expected to start in the west shortly before daybreak tomorrow and spread across the mid-state through the morning and afternoon hours. Let's start with the set-up: arctic air driving southward from the Plains and a large upper level system currently over Texas will combine to bring snow, sleet and yes, it now looks like some freezing rain to Middle TN tomorrow. Pouring over the models all morning, there is some indication that as we starting moving into the late morning and early afternoon hours, an elevated nose of warm air will start to push northward in our southern Middle TN counties. After what will begin as snow, counties south of I-40 will run the risk (30-40%) of snow changing over to a mix of freezing rain and sleet. The best chances of this occurring will be for areas closest to the AL/TN state line. If this occurs, this will act to reduce snowfall totals south of I-40 tomorrow, but in the end, we'll still have major travel impacts across the entire area. For this reason, we will continue the Winter Storm Warning for the entire area, but just with a little tweaking to the wording. Those along and north of I-40 are expected to maintain an all-snow forecast. That means 4 to 6 inches will be common for this part of the mid-state. However, for the south half, while there's a high chance of 2 to 3 inches before any change over to a wintry mix, we could see a few hundredths of an inch of freezing rain over that snow. The building of snowmen might be a little more difficult south of I-40. The only other adjustment I made with this forecast package is the Plateau. I have at least medium confidence that the Plateau will be the winners in the snowfall lottery. For this reason, I've bumped totals on the Plateau into the 6 to 7 inch territory and this may not be enough as 8 inches isn't out of the question, especially for the northern half of the Plateau. && .LONG TERM... (Friday Night through next Thursday) Issued at 1137 AM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 It looks like any snow/sleet/freezing rain that occurs tomorrow will come to an end from west to east in the evening and be but a memory by midnight on the Plateau. Unfortunately, the travel fun won't be over. Temperatures on Saturday are going to struggle to get above freezing. A few spots will record mid-30s (west of I-65), but cloud cover is expected to keep the sun from having any great impact of improving road conditions. For this reason, while interstates might be passable by Saturday afternoon, secondary and less-traveled roads are going to be an issue until at least Sunday afternoon. Even then, melting that occurs is only going to refreeze Sunday night, likely creating slick conditions on those backroads right into Monday morning. Even beyond Monday, temperatures will remain at or below normals for this time of the year with overnight temperatures expected to fall below freezing each night -- but we should remain precip free until at least next weekend, giving us time to recover from tomorrow's event. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 507 PM CST Thu Jan 9 2025 VFR conditions prevail this evening, but conditions will significantly deteriorate starting roughly around 09Z-10Z as a winter storm moves into the area. Snow will begin late tonight, starting light but will become heavier by mid-morning and continue through the TAF period. Current VFR cigs will lower to IFR/LIFR along with reduced visibility areawide by 16Z-18Z, lasting through this TAF period and likely beyond. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Nashville 26 35 28 35 / 30 100 30 0 Clarksville 25 33 26 34 / 30 100 30 0 Crossville 19 32 23 30 / 20 100 70 0 Columbia 25 34 27 35 / 50 100 20 0 Cookeville 22 33 26 31 / 20 100 60 0 Jamestown 17 32 24 29 / 20 100 70 0 Lawrenceburg 24 35 27 34 / 40 100 30 0 Murfreesboro 22 35 27 34 / 30 100 40 0 Waverly 25 33 25 34 / 50 100 20 0 && .OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 3 AM Friday to 6 AM CST Saturday for TNZ005>009-023>030-056>064-075-077>079-093>095. Winter Storm Warning from 9 AM Friday to 6 AM CST Saturday for TNZ010-011-031>034-065-066-080. && UPDATE.......Rose SHORT TERM...Unger LONG TERM....Unger AVIATION.....Clements
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
34 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
A CoCoRaHS observer near Centerville measured 4 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Hickman County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A CoCoRaHS observer near McEwen measured 3.4 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Humphreys County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A CoCoRaHS observer in Hohenwald measured 5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Lewis County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Trained spotters near Lobelville measured 4 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Perry County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Various sources across Davidson County generally reported 3 to 5 inches of snow. The highest snow report of 5 inches was received near Pegram. The official climate site at Nashville International Airport measured 3.9 inches of snow which set a new daily record for January 10th. Heavy snow across Davidson County resulted in difficult driving conditions. Interstate 40 near mile marker 255 was forced to close after a semi-truck hit a Tennessee Department of Transportation truck.
Snow totals across Lawrence County generally ranged from 3 to 5 inches. The highest snow total received was 5 inches in St. Joseph. Heavy snow across Lawrence County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Maury County generally ranged from 3 to 5 inches of snow. The highest snow report came from Columbia where a CoCoRaHS observer measured 5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Maury County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A CoCoRaHS observer in Waynesboro measured 3.9 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Wayne County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Various sources across Cheatham County measured generally 2 to 4 inches of snow. The highest snow report was just northwest of Ashland City where a member of the public measured 4.5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Cheatham County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Dickson County generally ranged from 3 to 6 inches. The highest snow report received was southwest of Dickson where a member of the public measured 5.9 inches. Heavy snow across Dickson County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Various sources across Giles County reported 3 to 4 inches of snow. The highest snow reports were received from Elkton where a HAM radio operator measured 4 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Giles County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Williamson County generally ranged from 3 to 5 inches. CoCoRaHS observers near Fairview and Forest Hills measured 5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Williamson County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A CoCoRaHS observer near Lewisburg measured 4.6 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Marshall County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Bedford County were estimated to be 3 to 4 inches. Heavy snow across Bedford County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Coffee County generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches. The highest snow report received was 4 inches in Tullahoma. Heavy snow across Coffee County resulted in difficult driving conditions. Multiple cars were reported to have slid off of Interstate 24 due to slick conditions.
Snow totals across Rutherford County generally ranged from 3 to 4 inches. A CoCoRaHS observer south of Rock Vale measured 4.5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Rutherford County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A CoCoRaHS observer near Dover measured 3 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Stewart County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Houston County were estimated to range from 3 to 4 inches. Heavy snow across Houston County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Various sources across Cannon County measured snow totals between 2 to 3 inches. Heavy snow across Cannon County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A CoCoRaHS observer near Smithville measured 3 inches of snow. Heavy snow across DeKalb County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A CoCoRaHS observer in Beersheba Springs measured 4.3 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Grundy County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Montgomery County generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches. The highest snow report came from Fredonia where a member of the public measured 3.7 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Montgomery County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Robertson County generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches. A CoCoRaHS observer near Springfield measured 3.5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Robertson County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Wilson County generally ranged from 2 to 5 inches. The highest snow report came from Mt. Juliet where a member of the public measured 5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Wilson County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Trousdale County were estimated to be between 3 to 4 inches. Heavy snow across Trousdale County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Smith County generally ranged from 3 to 4 inches. A CoCoRaHS observer near Elmwood measured 3.6 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Smith County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Sumner County generally ranged from 3 to 4 inches of snow. The highest snow report came from Portland where a member of the public measured 4 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Sumner County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow totals across Putnam County generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches. The highest snow report received was from Monterey where a member of the public measured 4.5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Putnam County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
CoCoRaHS observers near Gainesboro measured 3 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Jackson County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A member of the public in Red Boiling Springs measured 3.5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Macon County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A CoCoRaHS observer in McMinnville measured 4.4 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Warren County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Various sources across Cumberland County generally reported 2 to 4 inches of snow. The highest snow report came southeast of Crossville where a CoCoRaHS observer measured 4 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Cumberland County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
Snow reports across Clay County generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches. A member of the public near Celina measured 3.5 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Clay County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
A CoCoRaHS observer near Jamestown measured 3 inches of snow. Heavy snow across Fentress County resulted in difficult driving conditions.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, January 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: 1222998, 1222999, 1223002, 1223008, 1222992, 1223001, 1223006, 1223040, 1222988, 1222994, 1222996, 1223020, 1223004, 1223055, 1222990, 1223012, 1223014, 1223039, 1222987, 1222993, 1222997, 1223007, 1223011, 1223022, 1223056, 1223013, 1223015, 1223010, 1223000, 1223003, 1223016, 1222991, 1222989, 1222995.