Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2008

Tornado Warning 101, NWS Memphis, TN

May 2, 20084 counties in Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at May 2, 2008, 5:33 PM CDT for 4 counties in Mississippi. It was in force for 42 min. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 2, 2008, 5:33 PM CDT (22:33 UTC)
Expired
May 2, 2008, 6:15 PM CDT
In force
42 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Lafayette County, MS, Marshall County, MS, Panola County, MS, Union County, MS

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 101 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:33 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 2, 5:33 PM CDTHAIL 1.751 W Etta, MSGOLFBALL SIZE HAIL JUST WEST OF ETTA.
May 2, 5:41 PM CDTTORNADOEtta, MSTORNADO REPORTED NEAR ETTA BY UNION COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE.
May 2, 5:48 PM CDTTORNADO 22 E Etta, MSEF2 DAMAGE TO LARGE METAL BUILDING AND AT LEAST ONE HOME. EF1 DAMAGE TO AT LEAST 20 HOMES. LENGTH AROUND 3 MILES TO THE NORTHEAST AND CUTTING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY OF ENTERPRISE. MAXIMUM WIDTH OF ONE QUARTER OF A MILE. MAXIMUM WINDS OF 135 MPH.
May 2, 5:52 PM CDTTORNADO4 S Myrtle, MSTORNADO REPORTED BY UNION COUNTY DISPATCH ON COUNTY ROAD 515 SOUTH OF MYRTLE...APPROACHING NEW ALBANY.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 2, 1:54 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 10.6 hours before the alert went out and 57 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 12:00Z on 2008-05-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1314 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Little Rock, AR at 12:00Z on 2008-05-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 532 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
1314 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-56 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
609 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
51 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
532 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
505 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
3.8
Supercell composite
15.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

000 
WFUS54 KMEG 022232
TORMEG
MSC071-093-107-145-022315-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0101.080502T2233Z-080502T2315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
533 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHWESTERN UNION COUNTY IN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...
  NORTHERN LAFAYETTE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
  SOUTHEASTERN MARSHALL COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
  EAST CENTRAL PANOLA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...

* UNTIL 615 PM CDT

* AT 533 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING A TORNADO 9 MILES WEST OF BURGESS...
  OR 7 MILES EAST OF BATESVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  HARMONTOWN...OXFORD...LAWS HILL...CAMBRIDGE...BETHLEHEM AND ETTA.

.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS A STORM SHELTER. IF NO
STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE
BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE
BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS.

.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

.STAY TUNED TO THIS BROADCAST FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND INFORMATION.
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER ONLY...CALL 1 800 4 3 2 0 8 7 5.

LAT...LON 3434 8988 3479 8940 3467 8929 3460 8929
      3459 8925 3460 8922 3448 8909 3432 8955
      3426 8983
TIME...MOT...LOC 2233Z 249DEG 39KT 3433 8976

$$
2 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS54 KMEG 022247
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
548 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

MSC107-022258-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0101.000000T0000Z-080502T2315Z/
PANOLA MS-
548 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL PANOLA COUNTY IS CANCELLED...

AT 548 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE 
THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE AREA 
AND NO LONGER POSE AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE OR PROPERTY. 
THEREFORE...THE TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED.

LAT...LON 3445 8971 3478 8941 3467 8929 3459 8929
      3460 8922 3448 8909 3432 8955 3430 8971
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 249DEG 39KT 3439 8958

$$

MSC071-093-145-022315-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0101.000000T0000Z-080502T2315Z/
MARSHALL MS-UNION MS-LAFAYETTE MS-
548 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN
LAFAYETTE...NORTHWESTERN UNION AND SOUTHEASTERN MARSHALL COUNTIES...

AT 548 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED
NEAR BURGESS...OR 6 MILES WEST OF OXFORD...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO LAWS
HILL...ABBEVILLE...CAMBRIDGE...BETHLEHEM...POTTS CAMP AND ETTA.

.THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THIS
STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG TO VIOLENT TORNADOES. IF YOU ARE
IN THE PATH OF THIS TORNADO...TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY

.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS A STORM SHELTER. IF NO
STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE
BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE
BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS.

.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 3445 8971 3478 8941 3467 8929 3459 8929
      3460 8922 3448 8909 3432 8955 3430 8971
TIME...MOT...LOC 2248Z 249DEG 39KT 3439 8958

$$
000 
WWUS54 KMEG 022303
SVSMEG

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
603 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

MSC093-022313-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0101.000000T0000Z-080502T2315Z/
MARSHALL MS-
603 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MARSHALL COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

AT 603 PM CDT...WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THAT THE 
THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE AREA 
AND NO LONGER POSE AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO LIFE OR PROPERTY. 
THEREFORE...THE TORNADO WARNING IS CANCELLED.

LAT...LON 3441 8957 3449 8957 3454 8944 3453 8930
      3451 8925 3460 8924 3460 8922 3448 8909
      3433 8954
TIME...MOT...LOC 2303Z 249DEG 39KT 3440 8946

$$

MSC071-145-022315-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0101.000000T0000Z-080502T2315Z/
UNION MS-LAFAYETTE MS-
603 PM CDT FRI MAY 2 2008

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN LAFAYETTE AND NORTHWESTERN UNION COUNTIES...

AT 603 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR OXFORD...MOVING
EAST AT 45 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
CAMBRIDGE AND ETTA.

.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS A STORM SHELTER. IF NO
STORM SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE
BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE
BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM
WINDOWS.

.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 3441 8957 3449 8957 3454 8944 3453 8930
      3451 8925 3460 8924 3460 8922 3448 8909
      3433 8954
TIME...MOT...LOC 2303Z 249DEG 39KT 3440 8946

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Memphis, TN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 2, 3:29 AM CDTWind AdvisoryMEGBenton, Coahoma, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola and 5 more17 hr
May 2, 2:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Lafayette, Marshall39 min
May 2, 3:03 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGTunica57 min
May 2, 3:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLafayette, Marshall, Panola, Tate48 min
May 2, 3:30 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGCoahoma, Tate, Tunica45 min
May 2, 4:00 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGPanola, Tallahatchie, Yalobusha45 min
May 2, 4:03 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGDeSoto, Tunica29 min
May 2, 4:08 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGDeSoto, Marshall, Tate42 min
May 2, 4:14 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie46 min
May 2, 4:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Marshall, Tate50 min
May 2, 4:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLafayette, Panola30 min
May 2, 4:37 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLafayette, Panola, Yalobusha23 min
May 2, 4:48 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGBenton, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Union42 min
May 2, 5:01 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGPanola, Quitman44 min
May 2, 5:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Lafayette, Tippah, Union42 min
May 2, 5:06 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma39 min
May 2, 5:10 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGLafayette, Marshall, Panola, Tate95 min
May 2, 5:18 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLafayette, Panola, Tate42 min
May 2, 5:24 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLafayette, Union51 min
May 2, 5:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma, Quitman46 min
May 2, 5:30 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGAlcorn, Benton, Lafayette, Marshall, Prentiss, Tippah and 1 more90 min
May 2, 5:56 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGTippah, Union49 min
May 2, 6:14 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGPrentiss, Union31 min
May 2, 6:16 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLafayette, Union44 min
May 2, 6:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma, Quitman41 min
May 2, 6:27 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGAlcorn, Prentiss33 min
May 2, 6:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGPanola, Tate30 min
May 2, 6:37 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGTishomingo83 min
May 2, 6:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Tippah, Union44 min
May 2, 6:52 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLee, Prentiss, Tippah, Union38 min
May 2, 6:53 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGCoahoma, DeSoto, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Quitman and 2 more6 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Mississippi, 2008Every tornado warning in 2008Tornadoes in 2008

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.