Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 45, NWS Memphis, TN

May 2, 20214 counties in Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at May 2, 2021, 9:53 PM CDT for 4 counties in Mississippi. It was in force for 52 min. 9 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, 9:53 PM CDT (02:53 UTC)
Expired
May 2, 2021, 10:45 PM CDT
In force
52 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Emergency
Tornado emergency
Tornado
Observed
Damage threat
Catastrophic
Hail
0.0 in

Counties Itawamba County, MS, Lee County, MS, Prentiss County, MS, Tishomingo County, MS

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:52 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, 9:58 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.
May 2, 10:15 PM CDTTORNADO2 Ene Tupelo, MSTREES AND ROAD SIGNS DOWN WITH ESTIMATED 60 MPH WINDS.
May 2, 10:17 PM CDTTORNADOTupelo, MSTREES AND POWER LINES DOWN IN CENTRAL TUPELO.
May 2, 10:18 PM CDTTORNADOE Tupelo, MSEXTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL DAMAGE AROUND THE ELVIS PRESLEY MUSEUM AREA.
May 2, 10:18 PM CDTTORNADOE Tupelo, MSEXTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL DAMAGE ON ELVIS PRESLEY DRIVE ABOUT A MILE FROM THE MUSEUM.
May 2, 10:25 PM CDTTORNADO1 E Mantachie, MSDAMAGE AT INTERSECTION OF CR 1435 AND 1766. TREES DOWN TRAFFIC SIGNS DOWN AND DEBRIS ON ROAD MAKING IT IMPASSABLE.
May 2, 10:29 PM CDTTORNADOTupelo, MSROOF TORN OFF APARTMENT BUILDING AROUND THE HIGHWAY 151 AREA.
May 2, 10:35 PM CDTTORNADO2 Ne Mantachie, MSTORNADO ON GROUND IN COMMUNITY OF RATCLIFFE.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 2.9 hours before the alert went out and 144 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.

483 
WFUS54 KMEG 030253
TORMEG
MSC057-081-117-141-030345-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0045.210503T0253Z-210503T0345Z/

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

...TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR TUPELO...

The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northwestern Itawamba County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Central Lee County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Southern Tishomingo County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Southeastern Prentiss County in northeastern Mississippi...

* Until 1045 PM CDT.
    
* At 952 PM CDT, a confirmed large and destructive tornado was
  observed over Tupelo, moving northeast at 45 mph.

  TORNADO EMERGENCY for Tupelo. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS 
  SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

  HAZARD...Deadly 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, Baldwyn, Verona, Tombigbee State Park, Tishomingo State
  Park, Saltillo, Guntown, Belmont, Plantersville, Mantachie,
  Tishomingo, Burton, Pratts Friendship, Sandy Springs, Marietta,
  Golden, Paden, Thrasher, Dennis and Mooreville.

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

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 an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid
windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors, move to the
closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3450 8815 3415 8873 3425 8883 3434 8882
      3474 8831 3457 8814
TIME...MOT...LOC 0252Z 230DEG 37KT 3428 8873 

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

$$
3 follow-up statements
971 
WWUS54 KMEG 030313
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1013 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

MSC057-081-117-141-030345-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-210503T0345Z/
Itawamba MS-Lee MS-Tishomingo MS-Prentiss MS-
1013 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN ITAWAMBA...CENTRAL LEE...SOUTHERN TISHOMINGO AND
SOUTHEASTERN PRENTISS COUNTIES...
    
At 1012 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Saltillo, or 9 miles north of Tombigbee State Park,
moving northeast at 30 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Fire Department 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, Baldwyn, Verona, Tombigbee State Park, Tishomingo State Park,
Saltillo, Guntown, Belmont, Plantersville, Mantachie, Tishomingo,
Burton, Pratts Friendship, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Golden, Paden,
Thrasher, Dennis and Mooreville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3450 8815 3415 8873 3425 8883 3434 8882
      3474 8831 3457 8814
TIME...MOT...LOC 0312Z 229DEG 24KT 3437 8860 

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

$$
675 
WWUS54 KMEG 030324
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1024 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

MSC057-081-117-141-030345-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-210503T0345Z/
Itawamba MS-Lee MS-Tishomingo MS-Prentiss MS-
1024 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN ITAWAMBA...NORTHEASTERN LEE...SOUTHERN TISHOMINGO AND
SOUTHEASTERN PRENTISS COUNTIES...
    
At 1024 PM CDT, a large and extremely dangerous tornado was located
near Pratts Friendship, or 8 miles southeast of Baldwyn, moving
northeast at 30 mph.

This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

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...
Baldwyn, Tombigbee State Park, Tishomingo State Park, Belmont,
Mantachie, Tishomingo, Sandy Springs, Burton, Pratts Friendship,
Marietta, Golden, Paden, Chapelville, Thrasher, Dennis, Moores Mill,
Mooreville, Eggville, Kirkville and Unity.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3450 8815 3422 8863 3447 8864 3474 8831
      3457 8814
TIME...MOT...LOC 0324Z 229DEG 24KT 3442 8853 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...0.00IN

$$
384 
WWUS54 KMEG 030333
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1033 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

MSC081-030342-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-210503T0345Z/
Lee MS-
1033 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN LEE 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 3427 8854 3451 8854 3474 8831 3457 8814
      3450 8815
TIME...MOT...LOC 0332Z 238DEG 25KT 3444 8846 

$$

MSC057-117-141-030345-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0045.000000T0000Z-210503T0345Z/
Itawamba MS-Tishomingo MS-Prentiss MS-
1033 PM CDT Sun May 2 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN ITAWAMBA...SOUTHERN TISHOMINGO AND SOUTHEASTERN PRENTISS
COUNTIES...
    
At 1032 PM CDT, doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm
producing a tornado was located near Sandy Springs, or 11 miles
southeast of Baldwyn, moving northeast at 30 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...
Tishomingo State Park, Belmont, Mantachie, Tishomingo, Sandy Springs,
Burton, Marietta, Golden, Paden, Thrasher, Dennis, Moores Mill,
Kirkville, Holcut, Hobo Station and Neil.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3427 8854 3451 8854 3474 8831 3457 8814
      3450 8815
TIME...MOT...LOC 0332Z 238DEG 25KT 3444 8846 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
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, 9:13 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGChickasaw, Lee, Pontotoc47 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.