Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2020

Tornado Warning 27, NWS Memphis, TN

April 8, 2020Crittenden County, Cross County, Poinsett County, Arkansas

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Apr 8, 2020, 8:36 PM CDT for Crittenden County, Cross County, Poinsett County, Arkansas. It was in force for 26 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: Apr 8, 2020, 8:36 PM CDT (01:36 UTC)
Expired: Apr 8, 2020, 9:02 PM CDT
In force: 26 min
Issued by: NWS Memphis, TN
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Crittenden County, AR, Cross County, AR, Poinsett County, AR

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:38 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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
Apr 8, 7:04 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 1.6 hours before the alert went out and 95 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: 1810 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -112 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1529 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 56 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 113 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 132 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.4
Supercell composite: 8.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

758 
WFUS54 KMEG 090136
TORMEG
ARC035-037-111-090215-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0027.200409T0136Z-200409T0215Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Memphis TN
836 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Eastern Poinsett County in eastern Arkansas...
  Northwestern Crittenden County in eastern Arkansas...
  Northeastern Cross County in eastern Arkansas...

* Until 915 PM CDT.
    
* At 835 PM CDT, doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm
  producing a tornado was located near Harrisburg, moving southeast
  at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. This storm has a history of 
           producing tornadoes.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* Locations impacted include...
  Trumann, Marked Tree, Harrisburg, Lepanto, Tyronza, Three Forks,
  Payneway, Tulot, Deckerville, Weona Junction, Weona, Hatchie Coon,
  Stewart, Dub, Twist, Maple Grove, Promised Land, Alto, Judd Hill
  and Landers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter 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.

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not
wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

&&

LAT...LON 3556 9077 3567 9070 3566 9029 3540 9029
      3531 9047
TIME...MOT...LOC 0135Z 297DEG 28KT 3557 9066 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

MJ

1 follow-up statement

575 
WWUS54 KMEG 090202
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
902 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

ARC035-037-111-090212-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0027.000000T0000Z-200409T0215Z/
Poinsett AR-Crittenden AR-Cross AR-
902 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EASTERN POINSETT...NORTHWESTERN CRITTENDEN
AND NORTHEASTERN CROSS COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
    
The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been
cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a
Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. 

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for eastern
Arkansas.

LAT...LON 3556 9077 3567 9070 3566 9029 3540 9029
      3531 9047
TIME...MOT...LOC 0201Z 297DEG 28KT 3547 9043 

$$

MJ

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 Memphis, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at Apr 8, 6:28 PM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 8, 6:28 PM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
628 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

.UPDATE...
Updated 00Z Aviation Discussion.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 336 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020/

DISCUSSION...
It's been a very pleasant day so far with temperatures in the upper
70s. A few showers are developing over northern Mississippi, nothing
severe at this time but the area has a modest amount of instability,
steep mid-level lapse rates, and wind shear will support the
potential for hail. However, the main focus will be on the overnight
hours. A front will drop down from the north into the region,
instability and and shear ramp up just ahead of the front. Short
range models continue to support to a line of severe storms with
damaging winds and large hail, with a secondary threat of tornadoes
embedded within the line. Very steep mid-level lapse rates on the
order of 7 C/km will be favorable for large hail. Hailstones over 2
inches in diameter are possible initially as it moves through
eastern Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel. Coverage of damaging
winds could increase as the storms organize into a line. Timing
continues to stay on track, with the line moving into eastern
Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel by 8 PM then moving our of the
area by 4 AM. The line should move through quickly and by
completely out by sunrise.

Mainly clear skies and much cooler northwest winds are expected
Thursday and Thursday night. Highs Thursday will generally be in
the low to mid 60s. By Friday, a surface high pressure will begin
to build over the area, allowing for clear skies with temperatures
in the upper 50s to lower 60s.

A weak upper-level disturbance may drag some showers eastward into
southeast Missouri and southern Illinois Saturday morning before
completely drying up, but most of the area should remain dry
Saturday. Temperatures Saturday will generally be in the mid to
upper 60s.

Our next weather-maker will move into the area Saturday night into
Sunday night. The 12Z guidance is better agreement in lifting a
surface low through the Mid-South then northward. However, the ECMWF
still seems slower than other models in bringing this system
eastward. Severe weather is definitely a possibility if models
align properly. However, this will depend on how far the warm
sector advances into the region.

Guidance gets spotty after Sunday, with some guidance bringing PoPs
to the area Tuesday night through Wednesday in association with an
upper trough to our west. Have added a slight chance of PoPs, but
we will likely remain dry through this period.

Otherwise, temperatures will be below normal through the work week.
With low temperatures in the lower 40s throughout the week.

SGW

&&

.AVIATION...
/00Z TAFs/
Expect a semi-discrete cluster of storms to develop into a broken
to solid line, racing southeast through all sites starting around
03Z and eventually moving towards TUP around 06Z. Large hail
potential will be greatest around JBR, gradually decreasing as
storms move southeast to MEM and MKL and eventually TUP. As large
hail threat decreases, strong wind threat will increase.

Skies will clear up as the front passes, around 09Z at JBR and VFR
conditions will prevail through the rest of the TAF period.

SGW

&&

.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...None.
MO...None.
MS...None.
TN...None.
&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 8, 6:36 PM CDT, 2 hours before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Memphis TN
636 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

ARZ009-018-026>028-035-036-048-049-058-MOZ113-115-MSZ001>017-
020>024-TNZ001>004-019>022-048>055-088>092-100145-
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-
636 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Severe thunderstorms are expected tonight through early Thursday
morning across Northeast Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel, and West
Tennessee. The primary threats include large hail and damaging
winds. Tornadoes and localized heavy rainfall will be secondary
threats.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Strong to severe storms are possible across portions northeast
Mississippi Sunday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed this evening. Please relay any
information about observed severe weather to the NWS while
following all local, state, and CDC guidelines.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 8, 5:06 PM CDT, 3 hours 30 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
506 PM CDT WED APR 08 2020

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

0335 PM     HAIL             JACKS CREEK             35.47N  88.53W
04/08/2020  E0.75 INCH       CHESTER            TN   SOCIAL MEDIA

            PEA SIZE TO PENNY SIZE HAIL IN JACKS CREEK.

&&

MJ

Local storm report, Apr 8, 5:35 PM CDT, 3 hours 1 minute before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
535 PM CDT WED APR 08 2020

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

0338 PM     HAIL             4 S JACKS CREEK         35.41N  88.52W
04/08/2020  E0.88 INCH       CHESTER            TN   SOCIAL MEDIA

            NICKEL SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN SWEET LIPS.

&&

MJ

Special weather statement, Apr 8, 7:12 PM CDT, 1 hour 24 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
712 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

ARZ009-018-090045-
Greene AR-Clay AR-
712 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 745 PM CDT
FOR...

Northwestern Greene County in eastern Arkansas...
Southwestern Clay County in eastern Arkansas...

At 712 PM CDT...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger and winds at least 40 mph was located over Delaplaine, or 11
miles east of Pocahontas, moving east at 35 mph.

People in northwestern Greene and southwestern Clay Counties should
monitor this storm closely.

LAT...LON 3635 9041 3608 9044 3612 9077 3615 9075
      3615 9081 3629 9081 3629 9079 3630 9079
      3628 9078 3629 9077 3628 9075 3631 9075
TIME...MOT...LOC 0012Z 270DEG 33KT 3623 9077

MJ

Local storm report, Apr 8, 7:19 PM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
719 PM CDT WED APR 08 2020

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

0712 PM     HAIL             3 WNW EGYPT             35.88N  91.00W
04/08/2020  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER REPORT 1" HAIL

&&

SMW

Special weather statement, Apr 8, 8:19 PM CDT, 17 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
819 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

TNZ003-090200-
Weakley TN-
819 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2020

...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 900 PM CDT
FOR...

Northeastern Weakley County in western Tennessee...

At 819 PM CDT...a strong thunderstorm producing penny to nickel size
hail and winds 35 to 45 mph was located 7 miles west of Lynnville, or
10 miles east of Fulton, moving southeast at 35 mph.

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

People in northeastern Weakley County should monitor this storm
closely.

LAT...LON 3640 8852 3637 8853 3650 8880 3650 8852
TIME...MOT...LOC 0119Z 304DEG 32KT 3655 8870

KRM

Local storm report, Apr 8, 8:33 PM CDT, 3 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
833 PM CDT WED APR 08 2020

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

0831 PM     HAIL             2 NNW JONESBORO         35.85N  90.71W
04/08/2020  E1.00 INCH       CRAIGHEAD          AR   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

ARS

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 8, 7:06 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Craighead, Poinsett	39 min
Apr 8, 7:12 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MEG	Greene	33 min
Apr 8, 7:35 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	MEG	Craighead, Poinsett	25 min
Apr 8, 7:39 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Clay, Greene	36 min
Apr 8, 7:53 PM CDT	Tornado Warning Tornado observed	MEG	Craighead, Poinsett	52 min
Apr 8, 7:57 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Craighead, Poinsett	48 min
Apr 8, 9:00 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Crittenden, Mississippi, Poinsett	45 min
Apr 8, 9:27 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Clay, Greene	48 min
Apr 8, 9:36 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Crittenden	39 min
Apr 8, 9:55 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	MEG	Clay, Greene	3 hr
Apr 8, 10:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Clay, Greene, Mississippi	48 min
Apr 8, 10:37 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	MEG	Mississippi	23 min
Apr 8, 10:48 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Mississippi	42 min
Apr 8, 10:54 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Craighead, Mississippi	51 min
Apr 8, 11:03 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	MEG	Mississippi	3 hr
Apr 8, 11:38 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MEG	Mississippi	52 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 2020 Every tornado warning in 2020 Tornadoes 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.