20-05-2025
With NOAA radio software down and incoming storms, here's how to get Nashville weather warnings
Amid a severe weather threat across Middle Tennessee, NOAA weather radios will be down due to scheduled maintenance of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) — a tool used daily by forecasters at the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
During the upgrade, all NOAA weather radio transmitters maintained by the Nashville office will be offline until May 21. This includes transmitters serving Clarksville, Waverly, Nashville, Centerville, Lobelville, Clifton, Lawrenceburg, Hickman, LaFayette, Cookeville, and Spencer.
Here's what to know about the software and how else you can receive alerts during periods of severe weather.
The weather service uses AWIPS software to display and integrate weather and water information and to send life-saving information, such as weather and water warnings, to the public. However, due to scheduled maintenance on the software, NOAA radios will be offline.
Additionally, local graphical forecasts, climate data and probabilistic maps hosted on will not be updated. This includes all graphics on the Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook and Probabilistic DSS webpages.
"No impacts to core services (forecast products, watches warnings and advisories) are expected as we'll have our backup offices involved in covering those functions," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Ryan Husted.
Despite NOAA weather radios being offline, there are still plenty of ways to remain weather aware in the Nashville area. Here's how:
MEANS (Metro Emergency Alert and Notification System) - MEANS is a public safety program that provides you critical information in a variety of situations, such as weather notifications, criminal activity and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. Sign up online at or download the MEANS mobile app, available on the App Store of Google Play.
Nashville Office of Emergency Management - Follow the Nashville Office of Emergency Management on Facebook and X to stay up to date and engaged. Although social media isn't always the most reliable way of receiving weather updates, the office routinely posts critical information.
National Weather Service - For the most up-to-date weather updates, visit the Nashville office of the weather service on their official website and follow their social media channels. Be sure to enable push notifications to receive timely alerts.
Tornado sirens - Davidson County's tornado warning siren system is designed to alert people when a tornado warning is issued for any part of the county. A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has either been detected by Doppler radar or visually confirmed by a trained spotter.
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NOAA weather radios down amid storms? How to get Nashville warnings
