Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2019

Tornado Warning 106, NWS Jackson, MS

December 16, 20194 counties in Mississippi

NWS Jackson, MS issued this tornado warning at Dec 16, 2019, 5:03 PM CST for 4 counties in Mississippi. It was in force for 57 min. 5 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: Dec 16, 2019, 5:03 PM CST (23:03 UTC)
Expired: Dec 16, 2019, 6:00 PM CST
In force: 57 min
Issued by: NWS Jackson, MS
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Observed
Damage threat: Considerable
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Covington County, MS, Jefferson Davis County, MS, Simpson County, MS, Smith County, MS

The radar

The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:03 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Dec 16, 5:11 PM CST	TORNADO	3 Sw Saratoga, MS	TREES DOWNED ACROSS JANYESVILLE ROAD.
Dec 16, 5:19 PM CST	TORNADO	Saratoga, MS	THIS EF3 TORNADO STARTED IN FAR SE SIMPSON COUNTY (SARATOGA COMMUNITY) WHERE A FEW TREES WERE DOWNED, IT THEN MOVED INTO SW SMITH COUNTY WHERE THE DAMAGE INCREASED. THE CALVARY CHURCH WAS DAMAGED ALONG WITH A FEW OTHER BUILDINGS, SHEDS AND ONE SMALL WOODEN HOM
Dec 16, 5:20 PM CST	HAIL 1.25	2 Sse Magee, MS	PICTURE RELAYED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA OF HAIL JUST LARGER THAN QUARTERS NEAR MAGEE.
Dec 16, 5:29 PM CST	TORNADO	2 Wsw Mize, MS	REPORT OF A TORNADO CROSSING HIGHWAY 28 WEST OF MIZE. TREES AND POWER LINES BLOCKING THE HIGHWAY.
Dec 16, 5:38 PM CST	TORNADO	4 Sw Center Ridge, MS	TREES ACROSS HIGHWAY 35 NORTH OF MIZE.

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 4 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 8 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

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

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Dec 16, 10:40 AM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	9 hr
Dec 16, 2:22 PM CST	Tornado Watch	SPC	8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Jackson, MS (KJAN), launched 12:00Z, 11.1 hours before the alert went out and 72 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 268 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -205 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 760 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 220 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 246 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

243 
WFUS54 KJAN 162303
TORJAN
MSC031-065-127-129-170000-
/O.NEW.KJAN.TO.W.0106.191216T2303Z-191217T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Jackson MS
503 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019

The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Simpson County in central Mississippi...
  Southern Smith County in central Mississippi...
  Northern Covington County in southeastern Mississippi...
  North central Jefferson Davis County in south central
  Mississippi...

* Until 600 PM CST.
        
* At 503 PM CST, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado
  was located over Clem, or 11 miles southwest of Magee, moving
  northeast at 35 mph.

  This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

  HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

  IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris 
           may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile 
           homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, 
           businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete 
           destruction is possible.

* The tornado will be near...
  Magee and Mount Olive around 520 PM CST.
  Taylorsville around 545 PM CST.
  Raleigh and Center Ridge around 550 PM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Mize.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3176 8992 3207 8952 3180 8934 3180 8940
      3177 8940 3167 8986
TIME...MOT...LOC 2303Z 236DEG 30KT 3172 8983 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

NF

1 follow-up statement

554 
WWUS54 KJAN 162352
SVSJAN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
552 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019

MSC031-065-127-129-170000-
/O.EXP.KJAN.TO.W.0106.000000T0000Z-191217T0000Z/
Simpson MS-Smith MS-Covington MS-Jefferson Davis MS-
552 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN SIMPSON...SOUTHERN SMITH...
NORTHERN COVINGTON AND NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON DAVIS COUNTIES WILL
EXPIRE AT 600 PM CST...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.  However gusty
winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CST for central
Mississippi. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 900 PM CST
for south central, central and southeastern Mississippi.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Jackson.

Remember, a Tornado Warning still remains in effect for eastern 
and southeastern Smith County until 645 PM CST!

LAT...LON 3176 8992 3207 8952 3180 8934 3180 8940
      3177 8940 3167 8986
TIME...MOT...LOC 2350Z 236DEG 30KT 3193 8946 

$$

NF

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.

NWS Jackson, MS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Dec 16, 2:59 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 16, 2:59 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jackson MS
259 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019

.DISCUSSION...
Rest of this afternoon through Tuesday:

Rest of this afternoon-evening: Severe weather will remain likely
through the region through this evening, with severe weather
potential lingering across central to southeast Mississippi & the
Interstate 59 corridor through 10PM. The frontal boundary is
analyzed across the ArkLaMiss Delta, with isolated supercell
structures further south across the Highway 84 corridor & more
linear QLCS structures closer to the surface frontal axis. Out
ahead, juxtaposition of anomalous destabilization (i.e. 1000-1500
J/kg MLCAPE) & deep layer shear (i.e. effective bulk shear of
55kts+) continue to favor supercell & QLCS structures through the
afternoon-evening hours. With strong clockwise curving hodgraphs &
nearly 250-300+ m2/s2 effective storm relative helicity, this will
continue to favor supercell & QLCS segments & tornadoes, some
possibly strong. A new tornado watch has been issued for areas east
of the Interstate 55 corridor through 9PM this evening. Expect this
potential will move near or just before rush hour through early
evening along the Interstate 55 corridor & near Brookhaven to
Columbus & into the Pine Belt & Interstate 59 corridor into the
early-late evening hours. Remain weather aware & have your severe
weather plans in place through this evening!

Tuesday through Sunday: A period of calmer weather is in store for
the extended period. Early on, broad mid level ridge will build into
the region from the west as long wave trough departs to the east.
This will translate to dry northerly winds and cool conditions
through much of the week.

Meanwhile, another bit of southern stream energy will move ashore
along the CA coast and into the Intermountain West by mid week. The
moisture starved system will quickly move through the Rockies into
the southern Plains by the end of the week. Though dry surface high
pressure looks to remain wedged into the area from the northeast,
mid and high level moisture will be on the increase as the system
moves into the lower MS valley. Mostly a light rain event will be
seen Saturday through Sunday as the low level dry air eats up the
majority of what falls. /GG/

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAF discussion:
Expect storm coverage to increase from west to east through the
afternoon. Widespread MVFR conditions will gradually transition to
near IFR around midday (i.e. now through ~22Z). Near or sub MVFR
ceilings & storms will progress east-southeast through the evening
& the overnight hours, especially after 00Z. These low flight
categories & ceilings will be slower to clear along & east of I-55
through the overnight hours. The low flight categories will linger
through around midday Tuesday. Winds have been gusty this
afternoon & some gusts near or above 25-30kts from the south-
southeast. Winds will turn more northwesterly in the wake of the
front, keeping gusty winds lingering into Tuesday. /DC/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson       40  47  30  50 /  90   9   1   1
Meridian      44  49  30  51 /  82  29   1   1
Vicksburg     39  47  31  52 /  81   7   1   1
Hattiesburg   46  51  31  52 /  84  33   0   0
Natchez       41  47  31  52 /  87   7   1   1
Greenville    36  44  30  48 /  53   5   1   1
Greenwood     38  44  30  48 /  78   5   1   1

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...None.
LA...None.
AR...None.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 16, 11:14 AM CST, 5 hours 49 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1114 AM CST Mon Dec 16 2019

ARZ074-075-LAZ007-MSZ018-019-034-171715-
Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-Bolivar-Sunflower-Washington-
1114 AM CST Mon Dec 16 2019

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast
Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, and northwest Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Slight
TIMING...Remainder of Today through Tonight

Remainder of today through tonight, severe thunderstorms and
tornadoes are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging
winds to 60 mph and hail at least to the size of quarters.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and
emergency management personnel in support of severe weather
operations may be needed for portions of the region rest of
today through tonight.

LAZ008-009-015-MSZ025>033-035-036-038>041-045-046-051-052-056>058-
063>066-072>074-171715-
West Carroll-East Carroll-Richland-Leflore-Grenada-Carroll-
Montgomery-Webster-Clay-Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Humphreys-
Holmes-Winston-Noxubee-Issaquena-Sharkey-Neshoba-Kemper-Newton-
Lauderdale-Smith-Jasper-Clarke-Lawrence-Jefferson Davis-Covington-
Jones-Marion-Lamar-Forrest-
1114 AM CST Mon Dec 16 2019

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast
Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi,
northeast Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southeast
Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Enhanced
TIMING...Remainder of Today through Tonight

Remainder of today through tonight, severe thunderstorms are
likely and tornadoes are possible. Some thunderstorms may produce
damaging winds up to 70 mph and large hail up to golf ball size.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and
emergency management personnel in support of severe weather
operations may be needed for portions of the region rest of
today through tonight.

LAZ016-023>026-MSZ037-042>044-047>050-053>055-059>062-171715-
Madison LA-Franklin LA-Catahoula-Tensas-Concordia-Attala-Yazoo-
Madison MS-Leake-Warren-Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Claiborne-Copiah-
Simpson-Jefferson-Adams-Franklin MS-Lincoln-
1114 AM CST Mon Dec 16 2019

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast
Louisiana, central Mississippi, south central Mississippi,
southwest Mississippi, and west central Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Moderate
TIMING...Remainder of Today through Tonight

Remainder of today through tonight, significant severe
thunderstorms and tornadoes are likely with strong tornadoes
possible. Some thunderstorms could also produce damaging winds up
to 70 mph and large hail up to at least golf ball size.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and
emergency management personnel in support of severe weather
operations may be needed for portions of the region rest of
today through tonight.

23

&&

...HAZARD LEGEND...

*SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS*
High...Significant severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are
 likely with strong or violent tornadoes possible.
Moderate...Significant severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are
 likely with strong tornadoes possible.
Enhanced...Severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are
 possible.
Slight...Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible.
Marginal...Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible.

...USEFUL WEATHER WEB PAGES (URLS)...

NWS JAN Home page...
   https://www.weather.gov/jan
Stay Aware, Stay Safe NWS JAN Briefing Page...
   https://www.weather.gov/jan/safe
Latest Weather Briefing...
   https://www.weather.gov/jan/weather_briefing

Find NWS JAN on Facebook...
   https://www.facebook.com/NWSJacksonMS
Follow NWS JAN on Twitter...
   @NWSJacksonMS
Follow NWS JAN on Youtube...
   https://www.youtube.com/user/NWSJacksonMiss

...ADDITIONAL URLS FOR SEVERE WEATHER ISSUES...

Storm Prediction Center (SPC)...
   https://www.spc.noaa.gov/
Meso Analysis...
   https://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/
Day 1 through 3 Outlooks...
   https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/
Storm Reports...
   https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 16, 3:35 PM CST, 1 hour 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
335 PM CST MON DEC 16 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0316 PM     TORNADO          4 W NORFIELD            31.41N 90.53W
12/16/2019                   LINCOLN            MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREES AND POWER LINES DOWNED OFF OF CONCORD
            LANE.

&&

DB

Local storm report, Dec 16, 4:10 PM CST, 53 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
410 PM CST MON DEC 16 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0408 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     3 SSW EAST LINCOLN      31.44N 90.32W
12/16/2019                   LINCOLN            MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            REPORT OF A FUNNEL CLOUD NORTH OF RUTH.

&&

DB

Local storm report, Dec 16, 4:19 PM CST, 44 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
419 PM CST MON DEC 16 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0405 PM     HAIL             2 NNW EAST LINCOLN      31.52N 90.31W
12/16/2019  E1.25 INCH       LINCOLN            MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            HALF DOLLAR SIZED HAIL REPORTED NEAR ALLEN
            ROAD.

&&

DB

Local storm report, Dec 16, 4:28 PM CST, 35 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
428 PM CST MON DEC 16 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0426 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     3 WSW MONTICELLO        31.53N 90.16W
12/16/2019                   LAWRENCE           MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED SOUTHWEST OF
            MONTICELLO.

&&

DB

Local storm report, Dec 16, 4:50 PM CST, 13 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
450 PM CST MON DEC 16 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0449 PM     TORNADO          COLUMBIA                31.26N 89.83W
12/16/2019                   MARION             MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            LARGE TORNADO REPORTED IN COLUMBIA.

&&

DB

Local storm report, Dec 16, 4:56 PM CST, 7 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
456 PM CST MON DEC 16 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0445 PM     TORNADO          FOXWORTH                31.24N 89.87W
12/16/2019                   MARION             MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            STRUCTURAL DAMAGE REPORTED IN FOXWORTH.

&&

DB

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Dec 16, 3:50 AM CST	Dense Fog Advisory	JAN	Covington, Forrest, Jones, Lamar	5 hr
Dec 16, 10:50 AM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Claiborne, Warren	55 min
Dec 16, 10:53 AM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Claiborne, Warren	67 min
Dec 16, 11:49 AM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Hinds, Warren	56 min
Dec 16, 12:32 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Madison, Yazoo	29 min
Dec 16, 1:02 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Bolivar, Washington	54 min
Dec 16, 1:27 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Adams	48 min
Dec 16, 1:41 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Adams	49 min
Dec 16, 2:18 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Adams, Franklin	45 min
Dec 16, 2:20 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Claiborne, Jefferson	17 min
Dec 16, 2:30 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Carroll, Grenada, Leflore, Montgomery	75 min
Dec 16, 2:32 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Issaquena, Sharkey, Washington	58 min
Dec 16, 2:50 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	JAN	Franklin, Lincoln	55 min
Dec 16, 3:24 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Franklin, Lincoln	51 min
Dec 16, 3:25 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore, Sharkey, Sunflower, Washington	43 min
Dec 16, 3:27 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Copiah, Lawrence, Lincoln	63 min
Dec 16, 3:38 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Lincoln	52 min
Dec 16, 4:14 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Jefferson Davis, Lawrence	61 min
Dec 16, 4:20 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Marion	55 min
Dec 16, 4:22 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Simpson	38 min
Dec 16, 4:37 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Simpson	53 min
Dec 16, 4:55 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Adams, Franklin	48 min
Dec 16, 4:57 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson	44 min
Dec 16, 5:04 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	JAN	Covington, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar	56 min
Dec 16, 5:12 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Covington, Jefferson Davis, Simpson, Smith	42 min
Dec 16, 5:24 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Lawrence, Lincoln	66 min
Dec 16, 5:30 PM CST	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	JAN	Copiah, Hinds, Lincoln	45 min
Dec 16, 5:41 PM CST	Tornado Warning	JAN	Jasper, Jones	48 min
Dec 16, 5:44 PM CST	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	JAN	Jasper, Smith	45 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Mississippi, 2019 Every tornado warning in 2019 Tornadoes in 2019

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.