Tornado Watch Issued for Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. This alert is in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday, as severe thunderstorms are expected throughout the region.

The warnings began just after 2 p.m. when a tornado warning was issued for Giles County. Preliminary forecasts predict the chance of severe weather will escalate late Tuesday afternoon into the evening, with a risk of an EF-2 tornado within 25 miles of affected areas.

Some storms early Tuesday morning posed threats of wind and hail, leading to the issuance of strong to severe thunderstorm warnings. As the day progresses, the weather patterns could shift, increasing the likelihood of severe storms later in the day.

Earlier reports indicate a confirmed tornado sighting near Springfield, Illinois, triggering alerts and prompting employees at the Illinois State Capitol to seek shelter. So far, no significant injuries or damage have been reported.

The severe weather affects nearly 60 million people in the Central and Southern U.S., including cities like Nashville and Little Rock. London, Kentucky, which recently faced devastation from an EF-3 tornado, remains under threat as new storms move in.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that radio services for weather alerts would be down for several days due to a scheduled system update, raising concerns among residents. As storms develop, damaging winds that could exceed 70 mph are a significant risk.

By late Tuesday, meteorologists expect two rounds of storms in some areas, with the potential for nighttime tornadoes. Heavy rainfall, expected to reach 1-3 inches in some regions, may hinder tornado recovery efforts.

Residents are advised to stay alert and tuned to local weather reports as the situation continues to evolve.