Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 44, NWS Memphis, TN

May 2, 2021Chickasaw County, Lee County, Pontotoc County, Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at May 2, 2021, 9:13 PM CDT for Chickasaw County, Lee County, Pontotoc County, Mississippi. It was in force for 47 min. 3 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, 2021, 9:13 PM CDT (02:13 UTC)
Expired
May 2, 2021, 10:00 PM CDT
In force
47 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Chickasaw County, MS, Lee County, MS, Pontotoc County, MS

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 66 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:15 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, 9:13 PM CDTTORNADO1 Ne Houlka, MSA TORNADO DEBRIS SIGNATURE (TDS) WAS OBSERVED NEAR THE CHICKASAW AND PONTOTOC COUNTY LINE NEAR HOULKA.
May 2, 9:58 PM CDTTORNADOTupelo, MSDAMAGE TO MULTIPLE TREES AND A HOUSE AT INTERSECTION OF FRONT STREET AND BARNES STREET IN TUPELO. TIME IS RADAR ESTIMATED.
May 2, 10:03 PM CDTTORNADOTupelo, MSNORTH OF VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK NEAR INTERSTATE 22 A TORNADO WAS SPOTTED.

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, 4:46 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 2.2 hours before the alert went out and 116 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 2021-05-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 36 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 00:00Z on 2021-05-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 59 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
36 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-39 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
777 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
22 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
59 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
120 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

058 
WFUS54 KMEG 030213
TORMEG
MSC017-081-115-030300-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0044.210503T0213Z-210503T0300Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Memphis TN
913 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Chickasaw County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Eastern Pontotoc County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Lee County in northeastern Mississippi...

* Until 1000 PM CDT.
    
* At 912 PM CDT, doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm
  producing a tornado was located near Houlka, or 12 miles north of
  Houston, moving northeast at 35 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  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...
  Tupelo, Pontotoc, Verona, Trace State Park, Saltillo,
  Plantersville, Troy, Furrs, Houlka, Sherman, New Houlka, Algoma,
  Endville, Chiwapa, Thelma, Flowerdale, Rough Edge, Wallfield, Nixon
  and Beech Springs.

People attending Tupelo COVID-19 Testing should seek safe shelter
immediately!

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 3394 8904 3403 8914 3407 8914 3408 8918
      3437 8889 3436 8883 3439 8882 3439 8879
      3446 8879 3448 8877 3429 8855
TIME...MOT...LOC 0212Z 225DEG 30KT 3407 8905 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...0.00IN

$$
3 follow-up statements
256 
WWUS54 KMEG 030222
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
922 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

MSC017-030231-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0044.000000T0000Z-210503T0300Z/
Chickasaw MS-
922 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN 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 1000 PM CDT for northeastern
Mississippi.

LAT...LON 3408 8918 3437 8889 3436 8883 3439 8882
      3439 8879 3446 8879 3448 8877 3429 8855
      3407 8885 3407 8916
TIME...MOT...LOC 0221Z 225DEG 30KT 3413 8898 

$$

MSC081-115-030300-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0044.000000T0000Z-210503T0300Z/
Pontotoc MS-Lee MS-
922 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR EASTERN
PONTOTOC AND LEE COUNTIES...
        
At 921 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Troy, or 8 miles south of Pontotoc, 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.

Locations impacted include...
Tupelo, Pontotoc, Verona, Trace State Park, Tombigbee State Park,
Saltillo, Plantersville, Troy, Furrs, Sherman, Algoma, Endville,
Chiwapa, Flowerdale, Rough Edge, Wallfield, Nixon, Beech Springs,
Skyline and Belden.

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 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 3408 8918 3437 8889 3436 8883 3439 8882
      3439 8879 3446 8879 3448 8877 3429 8855
      3407 8885 3407 8916
TIME...MOT...LOC 0221Z 225DEG 30KT 3413 8898 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...0.00IN

$$
361 
WWUS54 KMEG 030234
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
934 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

MSC081-115-030300-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0044.000000T0000Z-210503T0300Z/
Pontotoc MS-Lee MS-
934 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR EASTERN
PONTOTOC AND LEE COUNTIES...
        
At 934 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Troy, or near Trace State Park, moving northeast at 40
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.

Locations impacted include...
Tupelo, Pontotoc, Verona, Trace State Park, Tombigbee State Park,
Saltillo, Plantersville, Troy, Furrs, Sherman, Algoma, Endville,
Chiwapa, Flowerdale, Rough Edge, Wallfield, Nixon, Beech Springs,
Skyline and Belden.

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 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 3408 8918 3437 8889 3436 8883 3439 8882
      3439 8879 3446 8879 3448 8877 3429 8855
      3407 8885 3407 8916
TIME...MOT...LOC 0234Z 228DEG 35KT 3418 8890 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...0.00IN

$$
317 
WWUS54 KMEG 030247
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
947 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

MSC115-030256-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0044.000000T0000Z-210503T0300Z/
Pontotoc MS-
947 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

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

LAT...LON 3439 8882 3439 8879 3446 8879 3448 8877
      3429 8855 3409 8882
TIME...MOT...LOC 0246Z 230DEG 38KT 3426 8878 

$$

MSC081-030300-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0044.000000T0000Z-210503T0300Z/
Lee MS-
947 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR LEE
COUNTY...
        
At 946 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Tupelo, moving northeast at 45 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.

Locations impacted include...
Tupelo, Verona, Tombigbee State Park, Saltillo, Plantersville, Beech
Springs, Skyline, Belden, Palmetto, Bissell, Birmingham, Corrona,
Graves, Frog Island, Indian Hills, Flowerdale and Boggan Bend.

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 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 3439 8882 3439 8879 3446 8879 3448 8877
      3429 8855 3409 8882
TIME...MOT...LOC 0246Z 230DEG 38KT 3426 8878 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...0.00IN

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 2, 7:42 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw48 min
May 2, 8:29 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Pontotoc46 min
May 2, 9:53 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedCatastrophic damage threatMEGItawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Tishomingo52 min
May 2, 10:37 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatMEGItawamba, Prentiss, Tishomingo38 min
May 3, 12:12 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLafayette33 min
May 3, 12:38 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGTippah37 min
May 3, 12:48 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGTunica27 min
May 3, 12:49 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGPontotoc26 min
May 3, 1:31 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGDeSoto29 min
May 3, 1:45 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDeSoto, Marshall, Tate45 min
May 3, 2:30 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGBenton30 min
May 3, 2:36 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMarshall24 min
May 3, 5:57 AM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGDeSoto110 min
May 3, 12:05 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGClay25 min
May 3, 12:23 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMonroe37 min
May 3, 12:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMonroe29 min
May 3, 1:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMonroe29 min
May 3, 1:30 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMonroe30 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.