Multiple rounds of thunderstorms impacted Middle Tennessee on May 20, 2025. The first round of thunderstorms was a decaying mesoscale convective system (MCS) that produced damaging winds which downed a few trees.
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 OHX wrote it up.
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms impacted Middle Tennessee on May 20, 2025. The first round of thunderstorms was a decaying mesoscale convective system (MCS) that produced damaging winds which downed a few trees. The next round was discrete supercells which produced large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. The largest hail reported during this event was in Williamson County where hailstones of two to three inches fell. Five tornadoes were confirmed during this event with the strongest being an EF-1 tornado in Cumberland County. The final round of thunderstorms was a quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) which produced additional damaging winds before all activity finally ended late in the evening.
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 20, 5:17 AM CST, 4 hours 13 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Nashville TN Issued by National Weather Service Morristown TN 617 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 614 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025 - There is an enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) for severe storms today. All modes of severe weather are possible, including damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes. - Much cooler and drier air will push across the area by mid-week continuing into the first half of next weekend. && .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Tuesday Night) Issued at 1014 PM CDT Mon May 19 2025 As a trough ejects onto the Great Plains, it's been responsible for severe weather over that area. This activity is important to note because it's this that will bring the first round of storms into Middle TN early Tuesday morning. This first round of storms looks to cross the TN River as a line by 7-8AM and so begins our next severe weather event. While these storms should weaken as they travel east overnight, our own environment will destabilize through the morning. Forecast soundings show little in the way of a cap so as our CAPE values rise after daybreak and bulk shear increases to 35-45 knots, the environment will be supportive of storms re-intensifying. Main threat with the morning MCS will be damaging winds, but a low threat for hail and tornadoes will still exist as forecast soundings show steep mid- level lapse rates and curved hodographs. The morning activity will push east out of Middle TN by early to mid-afternoon, but it will be the next round of storms that poses the greatest severe weather risk. Ahead of a cold front, an additional line of storms will develop, likely starting to cross the TN River by 2-4PM. Shear values increase through the afternoon, and surface winds veer just enough compared to the morning hours to allow for larger and more curved hodographs. Lapse rates aren't great at around 6-6.5 C/km, but regardless, all modes of severe weather are still on the table, including tornadoes. There are still some aspects of this event where forecaster confidence is still not high. The first is what impact the morning convection will have on our afternoon atmosphere. More widespread activity Tuesday morning will limit the time the atmosphere has to recover for the afternoon storms. Models do continue to show cloud breaks and a mid-level dry slot that will help with destabilization in the afternoon, but this will have to be watched closely. The second is the potential for discrete supercells ahead of the afternoon line of storms. CAMs show more discrete cells developing ahead of this second line, and if this verifies, would expect a higher tornado threat. && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday through next Tuesday) Issued at 1014 PM CDT Mon May 19 2025 Thunderstorm activity will come to an end late Tuesday evening, and a much quieter end to the week is in store. As an upper-level ridge builds to our west, dry northwest flow sets up over Middle TN. In the wake of the cold front, temperatures will also be cooler with highs only in the 60s to 70s. Next chance for rain comes this weekend, however, as a shortwave brings rain chances Sunday and into early next week. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 614 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025 Unsettled weather will move into the area this morning with periods of MVFR/IFR due to thunderstorms. A line of showers and thunderstorms moves in from the west after 13z and will push east during the morning hours. Then a cold front will bring a line of widespread thunderstorms 21z through 05z 5/21. Otherwise, conditions will be VFR outside thunderstorms with SSW winds gust to 25KT at times. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Nashville 85 63 79 59 / 90 60 0 10 Clarksville 83 61 77 57 / 90 40 0 10 Crossville 82 61 73 53 / 70 80 10 10 Columbia 84 61 79 59 / 90 50 0 20 Cookeville 83 63 74 55 / 90 80 0 10 Jamestown 83 61 74 52 / 90 90 10 10 Lawrenceburg 83 61 78 58 / 80 60 0 10 Murfreesboro 86 63 79 58 / 90 60 0 10 Waverly 81 58 77 56 / 90 40 0 20 && .OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...Clements LONG TERM....Clements AVIATION.....13
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
Issued by National Weather Service Morristown TN
1020 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
TNZ025>027-057-059-201600-
Hickman TN-Williamson TN-Dickson TN-Davidson TN-Cheatham TN-
1020 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN DAVIDSON...SOUTHEASTERN
DICKSON...NORTHWESTERN WILLIAMSON...SOUTHEASTERN CHEATHAM AND
NORTHEASTERN HICKMAN COUNTIES THROUGH 1100 AM CDT...
At 1020 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Dickson to near Centerville. Movement was
east at 45 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...
Franklin, Forest Hills, Bon Aqua, Belle Meade, Bells Bend, Primm
Springs, Lyles, Whites Creek, Bellevue, and Natchez Trace At Highway
96.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3631 8680 3587 8682 3581 8708 3585 8721
3577 8722 3573 8741 3612 8739
TIME...MOT...LOC 1520Z 252DEG 37KT 3612 8734 3577 8736
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DGSThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 147 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:28 UTC.
44 hail, 17 thunderstorm wind, 7 tornado, 5 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed several large trees as well as caused damage to a few sheds in the Collinwood area. Damages are a rough estimate.
An EF-0 tornado touched down just west of Verona Caney Road in Cowden where it unrooted several trees and lifted a roof off of a barn. It continued northeast, crossed Big Rock Creek, and damaged the roof and some trees on a homestead. The tornado continued towards and crossed Wade Brown Road where it unrooted and snapped several more trees until it lifted north of Wade Brown Road. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees across northern Perry County, including on Red Bank Road. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees at Hickman County High School in Centerville. Damages are a rough estimate.
Golf ball size hail was reported at Hickman County High School in Centerville.
Estimated 2 inch hail was reported at Hickman County Middle School.
Estimated 2 inch hail was reported near TN-100 and TN-230 north of Centerville.
A brief, weak tornado was observed on web cameras from Hohenwald. Locations were determined using WSR-88D radar imagery. No damage was noted from a ground damage assessment though the area impacted was inaccessible due to the road network.
A NWS storm survey team determined that damage in Hickman County south of Mill Creek and in the Dogwood Flat area was caused by straight-line winds with estimated winds up to 75 mph. Damage included multiple downed trees and tree branches. Damages are a rough estimate.
Penny to quarter size hail was reported near Elkins Road in Centerville.
Estimated golf ball size hail was reported in Primm Springs.
Estimated 2 inch hail was reported in Leipers Fork.
Golf ball size hail was reported off Natchez Trace Road in Bending Chestnut.
Estimated 1.5 inch hail was reported at Pratt Road in Thompson's Station.
Quarter size hail was reported at Thompson Station Road and Columbia Pike.
Estimated tennis ball size hail was reported in Thompson's Station near I-840.
Quarter size hail was reported near Thompson's Station.
Estimated baseball size hail was reported near Franklin.
Golf ball size hail was reported near Thompson's Station.
Estimated 3-inch hail was reported on Keystone Drive south of Franklin.
Golf ball size hail was reported at the Public Safety Center on Beasley Street in Franklin.
Quarter size hail was reported on Goose Creek and Lewisburg Pike near Franklin.
Two inch hail was reported in Sullivan Farms in Franklin.
Golf ball size hail was reported near Mack Hatcher Road and Lewisburg Pike near Franklin.
Straight line winds with estimated wind speeds up to 85 mph downed numerous trees and powerlines as well as caused structure damage along and north of Highway 79 west of Dover. Damages are a rough estimate.
Quarter to half dollar size hail was reported along Heathersett Drive near Franklin.
Quarter size hail was reported from a tornado-warned thunderstorm along Jackson Street in Mount Pleasant.
Measured 3-inch hail was reported in Franklin.
Quarter size hail was reported on Oak Meadow Drive in Franklin.
Measured 2-inch hail was reported in the Maplewood subdivision in Franklin.
Quarter size hail was reported near Franklin.
Quarter size hail was reported southeast of Franklin.
Ping pong size hail was reported southeast of Franklin.
Quarter size hail was reported east of Franklin.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees in the 2000 block of Highway 120 in Big Rock. Damages are a rough estimate.
Golf ball size hail was reported east of Franklin.
Ping pong size hail was reported north of Spring Hill.
Two-inch hail was reported south of Franklin.
Ping pong size hail was reported from a tornado-warned thunderstorm at S James Campbell Boulevard and Brooksmeade in Columbia.
Quarter size hail was reported at the Maury County Emergency Operations Center from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
Estimated half dollar size hail was reported in Columbia from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
Ping pong size hail was reported in Columbia from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
Measured 2-inch hail was reported on Tom Osborne Road near Boyd Butler Road in Columbia from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
An EF-0 tornado touches down along 101st Airborne Division Road, causing minor tree damage. The tornado moved northeast, causing minor tree damage in neighborhoods north of Purple Heart Parkway. Several trees were uprooted and tree tops were snapped near Britton Springs Road and Norris Drive. The tornado continued northeast after crossing Highway 41A continuing to snap large tree branches. The tornado lifted north of West Creek Middle School and south of Tiny Town Road. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds coming through Adams caused power outages to 643 customers.
An intense downburst caused damage near Blackman Road, west of I-24 and northwest of Murfreesboro. These estimated 80 mph winds caused numerous downed trees and powerlines as well as minor structural damage. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed a powerline at Florence Road and Valor Drive near Smyrna. Damages are a rough estimate.
An EF-0 tornado touched down along E Old Ashland City Road, causing a few trees to lean or fall down. The tornado moved northeast, uprooting and snapping trees and causing minor house damage along streets north of Madison Street. The tornado lifted prior to reaching Trough Springs Road and Interstate 24. Damages are a rough estimate.
Estimated quarter size hail was reported near Coopertown.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed a tree onto a home on Keys Branch Road near Bon Aqua. Damages are a rough estimate.
An EF-0 tornado touched down near Bedford Lake Road near Shiloh, damaging trees. The tornado moved north-northeast, causing additional timber damage and damaging some farm structures along Bedford Lake Road and Hobbs Lane. The tornado then crossed into Coffee County at Sixteenth Model Road. Damages are a rough estimate.
Estimated golf ball size hail was reported near Christiana from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed trees and powerlines in the Knob Creek and White Road areas east of Wartrace. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed a tree onto a home in the Joelton area. Damages are a rough estimate.
This continues the EF-0 tornado that began in far eastern Bedford County. After crossing into Coffee County, the tornado continued along Sixteenth Model Road and dissipated shortly thereafter in a wooded area near Cunningham Lane. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed a tree onto a vehicle along SR 48 in Hickman County, Minor injuries to the driver were reported. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed a large tree at Highway 25 East at Cedar Grove in Cross Plains which blocked the road. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed a tree onto Ellen Drive in Goodlettsville. Damages are a rough estimate.
Ping pong size hail was reported south of Murfreesboro from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
Half dollar size hail was reported in Dowelltown.
Ping pong size hail was reported southeast of Murfreesboro from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed a tree onto Johnson Hollow Road south of Interstate 840 in Spring Hill. Damages are a rough estimate.
Estimated quarter size hail was reported in Auburntown.
Heavy rain in the Nashville metro area caused flash flooding on area roadways and other low-lying areas. Extent of damages is unknown.
Heavy rain caused flash flooding on Southhall Road in Franklin. Extent of damages is unknown.
Heavy rain caused flash flooding on Lampkin Bridge Road in College Grove. Extent of damages is unknown.
Heavy rain caused flash flooding on Trinity Road at Highway 96 in Franklin. Extent of damages is unknown.
Estimated ping pong size hail was reported near Spencer from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
Estimated quarter size hail was reported in Quebeck from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
An EF-1 tornado touched down along Vandever Road near New Era, causing timber damage and minor structural damage to homes. As the tornado moved east-northeast, more substantial timber damage was noted along with two homes that had roof removal. The tornado continued to produce timber and powerline damage along Rhea Road until it lifted near the intersection of Rhea Road and Old State Highway 28. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees across western and central Putnam County. Damages are a rough estimate.
Golf ball size hail was reported on Burgess Road near Crossville from a tornado-warned thunderstorm.
Heavy rain caused flash flooding on Dunbar Road, rendering the road impassable. Extent of damages is unknown.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Tennessee, 2025Warnings in Tennessee, 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: 1247111, 1247198, 1247116, 1247117, 1247119, 1247120, 1247121, 1250278, 1247122, 1247123, 1247124, 1247125, 1247127, 1247126, 1247128, 1247129, 1247130, 1247131, 1247132, 1247133, 1247134, 1247135, 1247136, 1247137, 1247151, 1247138, 1247158, 1247139, 1247140, 1247141, 1247142, 1247144, 1247145, 1247146, 1247152, 1247147, 1247148, 1247149, 1247159, 1247160, and more.