Middle Tennessee Braces for Storms Amid Weather Radio Outage

Issue #442

May 20, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

⛈️ Columbia’s Weather - Isolated thunderstorms in the morning, then variable clouds during the afternoon with strong thunderstorms - high of 81 & low of 60

📰 Middle Tennessee Braces for Storms Amid Weather Radio Outage

📰 Enhanced Risk: Damaging Winds, Hail, and Tornadoes Possible

📌 May 24: Tenn Pin Alley’s Ultimate Summer Kickoff

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 Today’s Live Music

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🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Middle Tennessee Braces for Storms Amid Weather Radio Outage

NOAA weather radio alerts across Middle Tennessee will be temporarily suspended through Wednesday evening as the National Weather Service (NWS) in Nashville undergoes scheduled system maintenance. The update affects the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), a vital tool used to issue forecasts and warnings.

Although the maintenance was scheduled months in advance, its timing coincides with a week that includes potential for severe weather. Despite the temporary outage of NOAA radio alerts, the NWS will continue to issue forecasts, watches, warnings, and advisories through alternative channels. These will still be available via weather apps and mobile phone alerts.

Backup forecast operations will be handled by the NWS office in Knoxville/Morristown, ensuring continuity in weather monitoring. However, NOAA weather radio transmitters across several locations—including Nashville, Clarksville, Cookeville, and Lawrenceburg—will be offline during the update. Additionally, graphical forecasts and certain climate maps on weather.gov/Nashville will not be updated during this period.

NWS offices in both Nashville and Louisville, Kentucky, are participating in the AWIPS maintenance. The Louisville office serves multiple counties in southern Kentucky, and it will also be supported by backup systems to ensure ongoing service.

The NWS Nashville office remains open and staffed throughout the maintenance, which is part of a nationwide system upgrade designed to improve forecasting capabilities over the long term.

Meteorologists recommend relying on smartphone weather apps with GPS enabled to receive timely alerts while the NOAA radio system is offline.

Enhanced Risk: Damaging Winds, Hail, and Tornadoes Possible

Severe weather is set to return to Middle Tennessee today, as an active system moves into the region, bringing the potential for multiple rounds of storms. The entire area is currently under an enhanced risk, with possible hazards including damaging winds over 65 mph, quarter-sized hail, and tornadoes.

The most significant threats are expected later in the day, although the exact timing and location of storms remain uncertain. If storm activity becomes more widespread in the morning, it could reduce the severity or likelihood of stronger storms in the afternoon and evening.

Heavy rain may also accompany the storms, leading to localized flooding in low-lying or poorly drained areas. However, a large-scale flooding event is not anticipated.

Storms are forecast to diminish by midnight, offering a temporary break in unsettled conditions. Calmer and drier weather is expected to follow on Wednesday and Thursday.

May 24: Tenn Pin Alley’s Ultimate Summer Kickoff

We're excited to host the Tenn Pin Alley Ultimate Summer Kickoff on Saturday, May 24th! This will be a fun-filled event to celebrate the start of summer and the launch of our Kids Bowl Free program, which begins the following Monday.

Bring the whole family out for an afternoon of excitement with bouncy houses, a petting zoo, face painting, kids games and activities, community partners and awesome prizes. It’s the perfect way to kick off summer break and get ready for a season full of fun at Tenn Pin Alley! At 1PM, we'll head inside for Glow Bowl with a live DJ!

Starts at 12 PM

730 Mooresville Pike, Columbia

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Tuesday, May 20th

Wednesday, May 21st

Thursday, May 22nd

Saturday, May 24th

Sunday, May 25th

More events coming soon!

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

May 29 - 31: Music City Rodeo
June 5-8: CMA Fest
June 7-8: Nashville Comicon
June 7-8: Great Tennessee Air Show

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, May 20th

Rob Harris, Puckett's, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Austin Gray, The Rebel, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Wednesday, May 21st

Oliver Pigott, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Open Mic (Vet2Vet), McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Thursday, May 22nd

Hobo Cain, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00-9:00 PM
Beatles4Sale, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Friday, May 23rd

Music in May, The Awaken House, 5:00-8:00 PM
Shannon McCue & Friends, The Spot Burgers & Beers, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Lydia Rae, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
New Binge Music, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00-11:00 PM

Saturday, May 24th

Ben Daniels, Keg Springs, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Carson Phillips, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 8:00 PM
Rett Stocstill, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
The Def Leprechaun Band, McCreary’s Irish Pun 7:00 - 9:00 PM
The Deltaz, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
The Petty Junkies, The Mulehouse, 8:00 PM
Grace West Band, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Power Play, The Boondox, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, May 25th

Braise Killen, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00-5:00 PM
Brandon Bartley, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00-7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00-7:30 PM

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