A line of thunderstorms tracked east through Middle Tennessee during the afternoon of April 4, 2026. These thunderstorms were initially weak as they tracked through west Middle Tennessee, but they strengthened once east of Nashville.
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.
A line of thunderstorms tracked east through Middle Tennessee during the afternoon of April 4, 2026. These thunderstorms were initially weak as they tracked through west Middle Tennessee, but they strengthened once east of Nashville. The strongest portion of the line was located in Wilson and Macon counties where several reports of downed trees, utility lines, and minor roofing damage was received.
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 Apr 4, 11:19 AM CST, 4 hours 30 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Nashville TN 1219 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 1214 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026 - High chances for showers and storms this afternoon and evening. Marginal risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe storms that could produce small hail or a damaging wind gust. - Cooler, more seasonal temperatures expected Sunday through Tuesday. - Warm, dry weather Wednesday through late next week. && .SHORT TERM... (Rest of today through Sunday Night) Issued at 1055 AM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026 Some showers are just working into northwestern Stewart County at this hour with more activity back in West Tennessee. Currently, there isn't any lightning in Tennessee. The cold front is still back in Arkansas and Missouri. The front will progress eastward through the afternoon with showers and embedded storms ahead of it. The overall thinking regarding the low severe potential has not changed. Models show 500-750 J/kg of mlCAPE ahead of the line of showers and storms with values dropping through the evening. Some storms have a low potential to produce some gusty winds and small hail. Otherwise, the front will bring some beneficial rain to the area. Rainfall totals will generally be around 0.5-1.0" through Sunday morning. Ahead of the rain, SSW winds will be gusty. We've seen some gusts between 30-35 mph and I expect this to continue this afternoon prior to the line of showers and storms. Most of the area will be dry by sunrise on Sunday, but there is a low chance of a couple lingering showers along the plateau early in the morning. Sunday will be cooler with highs in the 60s and 10-15 mph NW winds. Lows will drop into the 30s for most of the area Sunday night with some patchy frost possible along the plateau. && .LONG TERM... (Monday through next Saturday) Issued at 1055 AM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026 Temperatures will be about 5 degrees warmer on Monday with plenty of sunshine. A clipper system will send a shot of cooler air into the area Monday night which will knock temperatures down about 5 degrees on Tuesday. Lows along the plateau will be in the mid to upper 30s Wednesday morning with a low chance of some scattered frost again. We will begin a prolonged warming trend on Wednesday with southerly flow returning along with some upper riding influences. The forecast continues to look dry once we get past today and tonight's showers and storms. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1214 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026 Showers and storms are on our doorstep. This will bring lowered cigs and vis starting at 19Z at CKV, 21-22Z at BNA/MQY and after 00Z for SRB/CSV. Will start with MVFR, but all will drop to IFR for several hours this evening before returning to VFR by 12-13Z. Gusty winds will continue to be an issue. Gusts of 25-30 kts will be typical with an occasional gust to 35 kts ahead of the rain. Winds will shift to the northwest as the front passes this evening. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Nashville 48 66 41 70 / 100 0 0 0 Clarksville 45 64 40 69 / 80 0 0 0 Crossville 46 60 36 63 / 100 40 0 0 Columbia 46 64 38 68 / 100 0 0 0 Cookeville 46 60 38 64 / 100 20 0 0 Jamestown 44 60 36 63 / 100 30 0 0 Lawrenceburg 46 64 39 68 / 100 10 0 0 Murfreesboro 46 64 38 68 / 100 10 0 0 Waverly 44 64 40 70 / 90 0 0 0 && .OHX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...Reagan LONG TERM....Reagan AVIATION.....Unger
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
243 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
TNZ024>026-042030-
Dickson TN-Humphreys TN-Cheatham TN-
243 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN DICKSON...CENTRAL
CHEATHAM AND NORTHEASTERN HUMPHREYS COUNTIES THROUGH 330 PM CDT...
At 243 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
McEwen, or 12 miles east of Waverly, moving northeast 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...
Ashland City, McEwen, Pleasant View, Charlotte, Vanleer, and Cheatham
Dam.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3624 8698 3623 8699 3604 8761 3617 8767
3620 8761 3618 8757 3624 8753 3632 8736
3632 8729 3635 8728 3636 8726 3637 8725
3642 8715 3644 8712
TIME...MOT...LOC 1943Z 244DEG 38KT 3615 8758
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
27Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
333 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
TNZ059-060-042115-
Williamson TN-Maury TN-
333 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN MAURY AND CENTRAL
WILLIAMSON COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM CDT...
At 332 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles northwest of Columbia, moving northeast at 40 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, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Nolensville, Thompson's Station,
Santa Fe, and Leipers Fork.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 65 between mile markers 56 and 74.
Interstate 840 between mile markers 15 and 33.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3563 8715 3572 8725 3573 8723 3577 8723
3605 8688 3603 8678 3601 8673 3601 8671
3598 8667 3597 8662 3594 8662 3592 8663
3590 8662
TIME...MOT...LOC 2032Z 231DEG 35KT 3572 8714
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
27Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
343 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
TNZ007-008-026-027-042130-
Robertson TN-Davidson TN-Cheatham TN-Sumner TN-
343 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN DAVIDSON...CENTRAL
SUMNER...EAST CENTRAL CHEATHAM AND SOUTHEASTERN ROBERTSON COUNTIES
THROUGH 430 PM CDT...
At 343 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Joelton, or 9 miles south of Springfield, moving east at 40 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...
Gallatin, Hendersonville, Goodlettsville, White House, Millersville,
Greenbrier, Coopertown, Ridgetop, Cross Plains, Joelton, Cottontown,
and Bledsoe Creek State Park.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 65 between mile markers 96 and 110.
Interstate 24 between mile markers 29 and 39.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3634 8634 3636 8636 3636 8637 3633 8639
3633 8642 3634 8643 3634 8644 3633 8647
3632 8654 3632 8656 3627 8694 3639 8697
3659 8644
TIME...MOT...LOC 2043Z 252DEG 34KT 3636 8688
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
27Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
411 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
TNZ027-028-059-062-042200-
Rutherford TN-Williamson TN-Davidson TN-Wilson TN-
411 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN DAVIDSON...
NORTHWESTERN RUTHERFORD...NORTHEASTERN WILLIAMSON AND SOUTHWESTERN
WILSON COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM CDT...
At 411 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Franklin, moving northeast 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...
Franklin, Lebanon, Hendersonville, Smyrna, Brentwood, La Vergne,
Mount Juliet, Nolensville, Forest Hills, Oak Hill, Hermitage, Rural
Hill, Antioch, Belinda City, Green Hill, Percy Priest Lake, and
Gladeville.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 40 between mile markers 214 and 233.
Interstate 65 between mile markers 66 and 79.
Interstate 24 between mile markers 52 and 69.
Interstate 840 between mile markers 61 and 75.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3629 8654 3628 8653 3628 8652 3629 8651
3608 8623 3584 8674 3597 8690 3625 8661
3625 8659 3626 8657 3629 8656 3631 8654
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 233DEG 28KT 3593 8678
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
27Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
420 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
TNZ008-042200-
Sumner TN-
420 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN SUMNER COUNTY
THROUGH 500 PM CDT...
At 420 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Portland, or 11 miles north of Gallatin, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Westmoreland, Portland, and Oak Grove.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3664 8621 3655 8622 3646 8652 3656 8658
3665 8647
TIME...MOT...LOC 2120Z 241DEG 34KT 3654 8650
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
27Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Nashville TN
441 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
TNZ008-028>030-042230-
Wilson TN-Trousdale TN-Sumner TN-Smith TN-
441 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN SMITH...SOUTHEASTERN
SUMNER...WILSON AND TROUSDALE COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM CDT...
At 441 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Belinda City, or near Lebanon, moving northeast 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...
Lebanon, Carthage, Hartsville, Mount Juliet, Gordonsville, Belinda
City, South Carthage, Tuckers Crossroads, Dixon Springs, Bledsoe
Creek State Park, Dickerson Chapel Recreation Area, Gladeville, and
Green Hill.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 40 between mile markers 227 and 256.
Interstate 840 between mile markers 69 and 76.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3602 8636 3624 8657 3647 8628 3636 8598
3621 8591
TIME...MOT...LOC 2141Z 239DEG 39KT 3619 8642
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
13The Nashville radar (KOHX), 24 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:49 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe thunderstorm winds caused sporadic damage across portions of Lebanon, including downed trees and utility lines. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds caused shingles to be blown off a house as well as caused fencing damage on Hunters Village Drive in Lebanon. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs on Hamilton Chambers Road in Lebanon. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds caused minor roof damage to a home on Hiwassee Road in Hartsville. Damages are a rough estimate.
Severe thunderstorm winds downed a couple trees near Red Boiling Springs Road and Union Camp Road in Lafayette. Damages are a rough estimate.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Tennessee, April 2026
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: 1316209, 1316210, 1316211, 1316212, 1316213.