Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 1988

Tornado Warning 49, NWS Jackson, MS

November 19, 1988Sunflower County, Mississippi

NWS Jackson, MS issued this tornado warning at Nov 19, 1988, 6:04 PM CST for Sunflower County, Mississippi. It was in force for 26 min. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Nov 19, 1988, 6:04 PM CST (00:04 UTC)
Expired
Nov 19, 1988, 6:30 PM CST
In force
26 min
Issued by
NWS Jackson, MS
Area
Whole counties

County Sunflower County, MS

The radar

The WSR-88D network and its archive begin in 1991, so there is no radar volume for this alert.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Nov 19, 6:25 PM CSTTornado F3Sunflower, MS

NCEI Storm Data entries that began inside the alert's area while it was in force. Before 2003 the local storm report archive is thin, so this is the record of what happened rather than what was phoned in. Storm Data before 1996 records only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail.

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 0.1 hours before the alert went out and 149 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Little Rock, AR at 00:00Z on 1988-11-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Little Rock, AR at 00:00Z on 1988-11-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 119 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
3614 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
79 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
119 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
313 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
TTAA00 KJAN 200005
TORJAN
MSC133-200030-
 
BULLETIN - EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
604 PM CST  NOV 19 1988
 
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL  640 PM CST
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY...
 
IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI
          ...NORTHERN SUNFLOWER
 
AT 603 PM...A THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL AND A
TORNADO NEAR SKENE WILL SKIRT ACROSS THE EXTREME NORHWEST PORTION OF
SUNFLOWER COUNTY DURING THE NEXT 15 TO 30 MINUTES. TAKE COVER IN THE
AREA NEAR AND WEST OF PARCHMAN.
 
DO NOT USE YOUR CAR TO TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO.  IF YOU ARE IN THE
PATH OF A TORNADO...LEAVE THE CAR AND GO TO A STRONG BUILDING.  IF
NO STRUCTURE IS NEARBY...SEEK SHELTER IN A DITCH OR LOW SPOT.
<
 
SEEK SHELTER IN AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR HOME
OR APARTMENT.  AVOID WINDOWS AND PROTECT YOUR HEAD FROM FLYING
DEBRIS WITH CUSHIONS OR PILLOWS.
<

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Nov 19, 2:45 PM CST, 3 hours 19 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED MS TO AR LINE 5
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
240 PM CST SAT NOV 19 1988

...SEVERE WEATHER TO INCREASE ACROSS MISSISSIPPI THIS AFTERNOON AND
   TONIGHT...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN
   MISSISSIPPI GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 55 UNTIL 800PM...

NUMEROUS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS HAVE DEVELOPED FROM SOUTHEAST TEXAS INTO
NORTHWEST LOUISIANA AND SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS. THESE THUNDERSTORMS
ARE CONTINUING TO GROW IN SIZE AND NUMBER AS THEY MOVE RAPIDLY
EASTWARD.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS CURRENTLY ARE LOCATED ACROSS MOST OF
MISSISSIPPI...BUT AT THE PRESENT TIME...THE STORMS ARE NOT VERY
STRONG.

THESE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE DURING
THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME OF THESE
STORMS BECOMING SEVERE. HOOWEVER...THE BULK OF THE SEVERE WEATHER
IS NOT EXPECCTED TO BEGIN UNTIL THE ACTIVITY IN LOUISIANA AND ARKANSAS
MOVES INTO MISSISSIPPI...PROBABLY AROUND 500 OR 600 PM THIS EVENING.

ALL MISSISSIPPIANS SHOULD LISTEN TO THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION
THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS
SITUATION WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF VERY DAMAGING TORNADOES. ALL PEOPLE
ARE ADVISED TO SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY IF A WARNING IS ISSUED OR IF
THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES.
Local storm report, Nov 19, 2:50 PM CST, 3 hours 14 minutes before
LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MERIDIAN MS
250 PM CST SAT NOV 19 1988

1:55 PM CST....NEWTON COUNTY S.O. REPORTED A TORNADO TOUCH DOWN
               8 MILES NORTHWEST OF DECATUR MISSISSIPPI. MANY
               TREE DOWN AND ROOF DAMAGE TO HOUSE AND BARN.
Local storm report, Nov 19, 3:03 PM CST, 3 hours 1 minute before
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
 300 PM CST SAT NOV 19 1988

900-1000AM...SIGNIFICANT FLOODING IN SUMMIT (PIKE COUNTY). REPORT FROM
CIVIL DEFENSE.

1100AM-NOON...MAJOR FLOODING IN AND AROUND MAGEE AND MENDENHALL (SIMPSON
COUNTY). MANY ROADS FLOODED. WATER GOT INTO HOMES AND A NURSING HOME.
CO-OP OBSERVER REPORT 5.32 INCHED FROM 700 AM-NOON. REPORT FORM SHERIFF.

1148PM...TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN SIMPSON COUNTY WEST AND NORTH OF
MAGEE. ONE CHICKEN HOUSE DESTROYED. EXTENSIVE TREE AND POWER LINE
DAMAGE. SOME ROOF DAMAGE TO SOME HOMES. NO INJURIES REPORTED. REPORT
FROM SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CIVIL DEFENSE.

1220PM...POSSIBLE TORNADO TOUCHDOWN BETWEEN LEMON AND SYLVARENA
IN NORTHERN SMITH COUNTY OR ABOUT 5 MILES NORTHEAST OF RALEIGH.
REPORT FROM SOUTHERN PINE ELECTRIC. <<
Special weather statement, Nov 19, 4:02 PM CST, 2 hours 2 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
400 PM CST SAT NOV 19 1988

...SEVERE WEATHER TO INCREASE ACROSS MISSISSIPPI THIS EVENING AND
   TONIGHT...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN
   MISSISSIPPI GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 55 UNTIL 800 PM...

NUMEROUS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXTEND FROM SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS ACROSS
NORTHWEST LOUISIANA INTO EXTREME SOUTHEAST TEXAS. THESE THUNDERSTORMS
HAVE BEEN PRODUCING HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF BASEBALLS AND TORNADOES.

THE THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN NUMBER AND REMAIN VERY
STRONG AS THEY MOVE INTO MISSISSIPPI TONIGHT.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE ACROSS EASTERN MISSISSIPPI...BUT ARE
NOT VERY STRONG AT THIS TIME. THUNDERSTORMS ARE ALSO NOW DEVELOPING OVER
PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS. THESE STORMS
ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE RAPIDLY AND MOVE NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH INTO THE
MISSISSIPPI DELTA BETWEEN VICKSBURG AND MEMPHIS DURING THE NEXT 1 TO 2
HOURS.

ALL MISSISSIPPIANS SHOULD LISTEN TO THE LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION
THROUGHOUT THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION
WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF VERY DAMAGING TORNADOES. ALL PEOPLE ARE! ADVISED
TO SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY IF A WARNING IS ISSUED OR IF THREATENING
WEATHER APPROACHES.

TORNADO WATCHES WILL LIKELY BE ISSUED LATER TONIGHT THAT WILL PROBABLY
INCLUDE MORE OF MISSISSIPPI.
Special weather statement, Nov 19, 4:37 PM CST, 1 hour 27 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT AND RADAR SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
435 PM CST SAT NOV 19 1988

...THUNDERSTORM INCREASING ACROSS LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS...
   TONIGHT...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN
   MISSISSIPPI GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 55 UNTIL 800 PM...

INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS WERE SCATTERED IN SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS FROM
SOUTHEAST OF PINE BLUFF TO NEAR CROSSETT. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

OTHER VERY INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ACROSS NORTHERN LOUISIANA
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE ACROSS EASTERN AND SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI
...BUT ARE NOT VERY STRONG AT THIS TIME. TGHIS PRECIPITATION IS MOVING
NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.
Special weather statement, Nov 19, 4:55 PM CST, 1 hour 9 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
450 PM CST SAT NOV 19 1988

...INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS OVER SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS HEADING TOWARD NORTH-
   WEST MISSISSIPPI...A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF
    WESTERN MISSISSIPPI GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 55 UNTIL
    800 PM...

AT 450 PM...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WERE DEVELOPING RAPIDLY OVER THE
EXTREME SOUTHEAST CORNER OF ARKANSAS.  THESE STORMS WERE STILL 10 TO 20
MILES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER...WEST AND SOUTHWEST OF GREENVILLE.

THESE STORMS WERE NOT SEVERE AT THE PRESENT TIME...BUT ARE CAPABLE OF
BECOMING SEVERE AS THEY HEAD INTO PARTS OF NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI DURING
THE NEXT HOUR.  PEOPSLE OVER NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI ARE ADVISED TO BE
READY TO TAKE COVER IF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED OR IF THREATENING WEATHER
APPROACHES.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Jackson, MS issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Nov 19, 6:09 PM CSTTornado WarningJANYazoo36 min
Nov 19, 6:46 PM CSTTornado WarningJANHinds29 min
Nov 19, 6:46 PM CSTTornado WarningJANCopiah, Rankin19 min
Nov 19, 6:47 PM CSTTornado WarningJANHolmes, Yazoo28 min
Nov 19, 7:32 PM CSTTornado WarningJANWarren43 min
Nov 19, 7:38 PM CSTTornado WarningJANLeake37 min
Nov 19, 8:02 PM CSTTornado WarningJANSharkey43 min
Nov 19, 8:16 PM CSTTornado WarningJANLeake29 min
Nov 19, 8:18 PM CSTTornado WarningJANWinston42 min
Nov 19, 8:20 PM CSTTornado WarningJANAmite, Franklin25 min
Nov 19, 8:34 PM CSTTornado WarningJANHumphreys26 min
Nov 19, 9:47 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANLawrence28 min
Nov 19, 10:07 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANJasper53 min
Nov 19, 10:33 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANLauderdale42 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Mississippi, 1988Every tornado warning in 1988Tornadoes in 1988

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; verification from NCEI's Storm Data; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.