Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Memphis, TN

March 17, 20214 counties in Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 17, 2021, 5:55 PM CDT for 4 counties in Mississippi. It was in force for 35 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 17, 2021, 5:55 PM CDT (22:55 UTC)
Expired
Mar 17, 2021, 6:30 PM CDT
In force
35 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

Counties Chickasaw County, MS, Itawamba County, MS, Lee County, MS, Monroe County, MS

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 38 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:58 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 watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Mar 17, 11:36 AM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC7 hr
Mar 17, 12:57 PM CDTTornado Watch PDSSPC6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 143 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 2021-03-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 18 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 2021-03-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 217 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
18 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-262 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1466 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
65 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
217 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
186 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

559 
WFUS54 KMEG 172255
TORMEG
MSC017-057-081-095-172330-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0004.210317T2255Z-210317T2330Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Memphis TN
555 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Chickasaw County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Southwestern Itawamba County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Southeastern Lee County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Northwestern Monroe County in northeastern Mississippi...

* Until 630 PM CDT.
    
* At 554 PM CDT, doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm
  producing a tornado was located over Okolona, moving northeast at
  45 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  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...
  Fulton, Verona, Okolona, Tombigbee State Park, Shannon,
  Plantersville, Mantachie, New Wren, New Salem, Evergreen,
  Nettleton, Abney, Cardsville, Tilden, Egypt, Mooreville,
  Ballardsville, Wren, Bigbee and Dorsey.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3400 8891 3436 8852 3416 8830 3386 8876
TIME...MOT...LOC 2254Z 227DEG 37KT 3399 8877 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$
3 follow-up statements
046 
WWUS54 KMEG 172302
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
602 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

MSC017-057-081-095-172330-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-210317T2330Z/
Chickasaw MS-Itawamba MS-Lee MS-Monroe MS-
602 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN CHICKASAW...SOUTHWESTERN ITAWAMBA...SOUTHEASTERN LEE AND
NORTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTIES...
    
At 602 PM CDT, doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm
producing a tornado was located near Shannon, or near Okolona, moving
northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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...
Fulton, Okolona, Shannon, New Wren, New Salem, Evergreen, Nettleton,
Abney, Cardsville, Tilden, Wren, Bigbee, Dorsey, Leotis, Jacinto and
Richmond.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3405 8881 3430 8845 3416 8830 3391 8868
TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 227DEG 37KT 3405 8869 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$
220 
WWUS54 KMEG 172319
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
619 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

MSC017-172328-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-210317T2330Z/
Chickasaw MS-
619 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN CHICKASAW COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for northeastern
Mississippi. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 700 PM CDT
for northeastern Mississippi.

LAT...LON 3413 8868 3429 8844 3416 8830 3395 8862
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 227DEG 37KT 3417 8854 

$$

MSC057-081-095-172330-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-210317T2330Z/
Itawamba MS-Lee MS-Monroe MS-
619 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN ITAWAMBA...SOUTHEASTERN LEE AND NORTHWESTERN MONROE
COUNTIES...
    
At 618 PM CDT, doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm
producing a tornado was located over Evergreen, or near Tombigbee
State Park, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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...
Fulton, Shannon, New Wren, New Salem, Evergreen, Nettleton, Abney,
Cardsville, Tilden, Wren, Bigbee, Jacinto and Richmond.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3413 8868 3429 8844 3416 8830 3395 8862
TIME...MOT...LOC 2318Z 227DEG 37KT 3417 8854 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...1.00IN

$$
422 
WWUS54 KMEG 172322
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
622 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

MSC057-081-095-172331-
/O.EXP.KMEG.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-210317T2330Z/
Itawamba MS-Lee MS-Monroe MS-
622 PM CDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN ITAWAMBA...SOUTHEASTERN LEE
AND NORTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 630 PM CDT...
                
The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer appears capable of producing a tornado.
Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for northeastern
Mississippi. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 700 PM CDT
for northeastern Mississippi.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for
portions of Monroe, Itawamba, and Lee Counties until 630 PM CDT. 

LAT...LON 3413 8868 3429 8844 3416 8830 3395 8862
TIME...MOT...LOC 2321Z 227DEG 37KT 3418 8852 

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 17, 3:38 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Lafayette, Pontotoc, Yalobusha37 min
Mar 17, 5:24 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGPanola, Tate20 min
Mar 17, 6:35 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tunica40 min
Mar 17, 6:49 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGMarshall14 min
Mar 17, 7:12 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGLafayette, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate and 1 more48 min
Mar 17, 8:24 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGBenton, DeSoto, Marshall, Tate, Tunica2 hr
Mar 17, 9:04 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGAlcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Marshall, Tate, Tippah3 hr
Mar 17, 10:29 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGAlcorn, Prentiss, Tishomingo3 hr
Mar 17, 3:18 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGItawamba, Prentiss, Tishomingo27 min
Mar 17, 4:17 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Lafayette, Pontotoc, Union28 min
Mar 17, 4:28 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGItawamba, Prentiss, Tishomingo5 hr
Mar 17, 4:43 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Lafayette, Marshall, Union32 min
Mar 17, 4:52 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGItawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Tishomingo4 hr
Mar 17, 4:56 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Union49 min
Mar 17, 4:58 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Pontotoc20 min
Mar 17, 5:45 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe45 min
Mar 17, 5:55 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw4 hr
Mar 17, 6:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGItawamba, Monroe47 min
Mar 17, 6:33 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLafayette, Marshall, Yalobusha42 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Mississippi, 2021Every tornado warning in 2021Tornadoes in 2021

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.