The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a...

* Tornado Watch for Rutherford County and portions of Middle Tennessee

* Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening until 900 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include...

• Several tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes likely
• Widespread damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 75 mph likely
• Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY...A line of thunderstorms will spread east-northeastward across middle Tennessee this afternoon and evening. Widespread damaging winds up to 60-75 mph are expected along with several tornadoes as the environment becomes increasingly favorable for severe thunderstorms. A couple strong to intense tornadoes also appear possible with any embedded supercells.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.