Alert archive / Mississippi / Special Weather Statements in 2020

Special Weather Statement, NWS Memphis, TN

March 23, 2020Prentiss County, Union County, Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this special weather statement at Mar 23, 2020, 2:06 AM CDT for Prentiss County, Union County, Mississippi. It was in force for 24 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Mar 23, 2020, 2:06 AM CDT (07:06 UTC)
Expired
Mar 23, 2020, 2:30 AM CDT
In force
24 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN

Counties Prentiss County, MS, Union County, MS

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 86 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:07 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 7.1 hours before the alert went out and 112 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 2020-03-23Temperature 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 km15 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 2020-03-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 118 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
504 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
72 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
118 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
127 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

What forecasters said that day

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

NWS Memphis, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this special weather statement went out at Mar 22, 11:58 PM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 22, 11:58 PM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1158 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2020

.UPDATE...

Updated for 06Z aviation discussion.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 952 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2020/

UPDATE...
A weak surface trough extends from southwest to northeast across
the area from east-central AR through Union City. There isn't
much in the way of a thermal gradient here, but temperatures are a
few degrees warmer on the southern side of this trough. Scattered
to numerous rain showers will continue through the early morning
hours, especially south of this surface boundary. In addition, a
few elevated thunderstorms will be possible. The precipitation
field will gradually be shunted south as the surface trough pushes
through the CWA with rain ending from north to south late tonight
and early Monday. Temperatures tonight will remain nearly steady
in most areas.

MJ

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Current mid-level satellite imagery shows a strong shortwave
trough just north of our area bring light to moderate rain towards
the area. Widespread showers and on and off heavy rainfall will
persist through the night. A weak cold front will begin to move
into the area this evening slowly ending the rainfall potential
from north to south. Showers will finally move out of the area by
Monday afternoon. Temperatures tonight will range from the upper
40s to our north, and upper 50s to our south.

A surface low will retrograde northeast across the Mid-Mississippi
and Ohio Valley Tuesday evening. Warm advection showers will
increase Monday night into Tuesday morning followed by a few
thunderstorms by the afternoon. The dynamics of this approaching
low are strong, with much sharper lapse rates and instability.
There is some timing issues as to the location, and depth of the
surface low as it moves across the region but the window for
thunderstorm development seems to still be Tuesday afternoon into
Tuesday night. Very strong deep-layer shear 0-6 km bulk wind
difference near 60 kts will be present and if we see sufficient
diurnal heating, CAPE values could exceed 1000 J/kg. Damaging wind
looks to be the primary hazard, but large hail and a tornado or
two are possible given the strongly sheared environment. High
temperatures Tuesday will generally be in the mid 70s.

We'll finally get a break from showers Wednesday into Thursday as
we move into Quasi-zonal flow aloft as a trough begins to dig
over the western US. By the latter half of the week, temperatures
will warm into the upper 70s to 80s, with mostly clear to clear
skies. By Friday, the aforementioned trough will move southeast
towards Texas and bring showers to the area through the weekend.
There are some model differences on timing with this system but
there is a possibility of strong to severe storms this weekend.
Will continue to monitor.

SGW

&&

.AVIATION...06Z TAFs

As an upper-level trough continues to push through the area, IFR
ceilings are expected to start off the TAF period. Light rain is
also forecast to last through the morning hours until the trough
exits the region. Ceilings will gradually lift into MVFR category
by the afternoon and last through the forecast period. Winds will
be light for the most part from the north-northeast.

KRF

&&

.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...None.
MO...None.
MS...None.
TN...None.
&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 23, 1:42 AM CDT, 24 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Memphis TN
142 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

ARZ009-018-026>028-035-036-048-049-058-MOZ113-115-MSZ001>017-
020>024-TNZ001>004-019>022-048>055-088>092-231100-
Alcorn-Benton MS-Benton TN-Calhoun-Carroll-Chester-Chickasaw-Clay-
Coahoma-Craighead-Crittenden-Crockett-Cross-DeSoto-Decatur-
Dunklin-Dyer-Fayette-Gibson-Greene-Hardeman-Hardin-Haywood-
Henderson-Henry-Itawamba-Lafayette-Lake-Lauderdale-Lee AR-Lee MS-
Madison-Marshall-McNairy-Mississippi-Monroe-Obion-Panola-Pemiscot-
Phillips-Poinsett-Pontotoc-Prentiss-Quitman-Shelby-St. Francis-
Tallahatchie-Tate-Tippah-Tipton-Tishomingo-Tunica-Union-Weakley-
Yalobusha-
142 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of East Arkansas...
the Missouri Bootheel...North Mississippi...and West Tennessee.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

A few strong to severe storms are possible through the early
morning hours. Large hail is the primary concern.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

Severe thunderstorms are possible across the Mid-South Tuesday into
Tuesday evening. Damaging winds appear to be the primary hazard.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be requested Tuesday afternoon and evening.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 22, 11:51 PM CDT, 2 hours 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1151 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2020

TNZ053-090-230515-
Hardeman TN-Chester TN-
1151 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2020

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 1215 AM CDT
FOR...

Northern Hardeman County in western Tennessee...
Southwestern Chester County in western Tennessee...

At 1151 PM CDT...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger was located near Whiteville, or 7 miles northwest of Bolivar,
moving east at 50 mph.

People in northern Hardeman and southwestern Chester Counties should
monitor this storm closely.

LAT...LON 3530 8867 3531 8868 3531 8869 3526 8871
      3525 8872 3527 8919 3539 8917 3544 8867
      3534 8866 3533 8867 3531 8866
TIME...MOT...LOC 0451Z 269DEG 44KT 3534 8908

MJ
Special weather statement, Mar 23, 12:20 AM CDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1220 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

MSZ013>015-230600-
Lafayette MS-Pontotoc MS-Union MS-
1220 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 100 AM CDT
FOR...

Lafayette County in northwestern Mississippi...
Northern Pontotoc County in northeastern Mississippi...
Southern Union County in northeastern Mississippi...

At 1220 AM CDT...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger was located near Springdale, or near Holly Springs National
Forest, moving east at 65 mph.

Dangerous cloud to ground lightning is also possible with this
thunderstorm.

People in Lafayette...northern Pontotoc and southern Union Counties
should monitor this storm closely.

LAT...LON 3419 8972 3441 8972 3454 8882 3422 8883
      3418 8951
TIME...MOT...LOC 0520Z 260DEG 56KT 3428 8960
Special weather statement, Mar 23, 12:44 AM CDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1244 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

MSZ011-012-230615-
Panola MS-Quitman MS-
1244 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 115 AM CDT
FOR...

Southern Panola County in northwestern Mississippi...
East central Quitman County in northwestern Mississippi...

At 1244 AM CDT...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger was located near Crowder, or 12 miles southwest of Batesville,
moving east at 60 mph.

Dangerous cloud to ground lightning is also possible with this
thunderstorm.

People in southern Panola and east central Quitman Counties should
monitor this storm closely.

LAT...LON 3415 9017 3432 9019 3444 8973 3419 8972
      3416 9007 3416 9013 3415 9014
TIME...MOT...LOC 0544Z 252DEG 52KT 3422 9012
Special weather statement, Mar 23, 1:02 AM CDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
102 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

MSZ006-009-014-016-017-230645-
Itawamba MS-Tishomingo MS-Union MS-Lee MS-Prentiss MS-
102 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 145 AM CDT
FOR...

Northern Itawamba County in northeastern Mississippi...
Southern Tishomingo County in northeastern Mississippi...
Eastern Union County in northeastern Mississippi...
Northern Lee County in northeastern Mississippi...
Prentiss County in northeastern Mississippi...

At 102 AM CDT...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger was located over New Harmony, or near New Albany, moving east
at 55 mph.

Dangerous cloud to ground lightning is also possible with this
thunderstorm.

People in northern Itawamba...southern Tishomingo...eastern Union...
northern Lee and Prentiss Counties should monitor this storm closely.

LAT...LON 3443 8816 3433 8882 3436 8883 3436 8893
      3438 8893 3438 8901 3449 8905 3479 8811
TIME...MOT...LOC 0602Z 256DEG 47KT 3443 8893
Special weather statement, Mar 23, 1:03 AM CDT, 1 hour 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
103 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

MSZ013>015-230645-
Lafayette MS-Pontotoc MS-Union MS-
103 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 145 AM CDT
FOR...

Lafayette County in northwestern Mississippi...
Northwestern Pontotoc County in northeastern Mississippi...
Western Union County in northeastern Mississippi...

At 103 AM CDT...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger was located near Batesville, moving east at 55 mph.

Dangerous cloud to ground lightning is also possible with this
thunderstorm.

People in Lafayette...northwestern Pontotoc and western Union
Counties should monitor this storm closely.

LAT...LON 3423 8972 3445 8972 3453 8933 3450 8925
      3456 8925 3460 8907 3433 8901
TIME...MOT...LOC 0603Z 256DEG 47KT 3432 8982
Special weather statement, Mar 23, 2:06 AM CDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
206 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

MSZ004-005-009-014-230730-
Tippah MS-Union MS-Alcorn MS-Prentiss MS-
206 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2020

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 230 AM CDT
FOR...

Southern Tippah County in northeastern Mississippi...
Union County in northeastern Mississippi...
Southeastern Alcorn County in northeastern Mississippi...
Prentiss County in northeastern Mississippi...

At 206 AM CDT...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger was located near New Albany, moving east at 65 mph.

Dangerous cloud to ground lightning is also possible with this
thunderstorm.

People in southern Tippah...Union...southeastern Alcorn and Prentiss
Counties should monitor this storm closely.

LAT...LON 3451 8864 3451 8873 3450 8874 3450 8879
      3447 8879 3440 8911 3458 8918 3460 8914
      3460 8909 3462 8909 3495 8838 3476 8837
      3475 8835 3458 8833
TIME...MOT...LOC 0706Z 252DEG 55KT 3453 8906

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 22, 11:04 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLafayette, Panola, Quitman, Tate, Tunica41 min
Mar 22, 11:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLafayette29 min
Mar 23, 12:20 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLafayette, Pontotoc, Union40 min
Mar 23, 12:44 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGPanola31 min
Mar 23, 1:02 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGPrentiss, Tishomingo, Union43 min
Mar 23, 1:03 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLafayette42 min
Mar 23, 1:10 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLafayette, Marshall, Panola35 min
Mar 23, 1:35 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah, Union21 min
Mar 23, 3:37 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGMonroe38 min
Mar 23, 4:21 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGMonroe20 min
Mar 23, 6:14 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGTallahatchie6 days
Mar 23, 10:53 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGTate, Tunica9 hr
Mar 23, 11:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGTallahatchie3 days
Mar 23, 11:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGLafayette, Marshall, Union11 hr
Mar 23, 11:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGMonroe5 days
Mar 23, 11:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGLowndes, Monroe5 days
Mar 23, 11:59 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGMonroe57 hr
Mar 22, 11:51 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGHardeman24 min

Nearby

Special Weather Statements in Mississippi, 2020Every special weather statement in 2020

Sources

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