Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 23, NWS Memphis, TN

March 3, 2023Itawamba County, Prentiss County, Tishomingo County, Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 3, 2023, 9:27 AM CST for Itawamba County, Prentiss County, Tishomingo County, Mississippi. It was in force for 20 min. 1 report 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
Mar 3, 2023, 9:27 AM CST (15:27 UTC)
Expired
Mar 3, 2023, 9:47 AM CST
In force
20 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
0.75 in

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

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 54 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:30 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
Mar 3, 9:30 AM CSTTORNADO2 S Sandy Springs, MSA SHORT-LIVED TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN JUST EAST OF THE TENNESSEE-TOMBIGBEE WATERWAY. IT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE AS IT TRAVELED NORTHEAST THROUGH A HEAVILY WOODED AREA. THE TORNADO LIFTED SHORTLY AFTER IT CAUSED MINOR ROOF DAMAGE TO SEVERAL HOUSES AT THE IN

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this tornado warning; the first came 3 minutes after it went out.

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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Mar 3, 6:24 AM CSTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 3.5 hours before the alert went out and 156 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 2023-03-03Temperature 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 12:00Z on 2023-03-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 323 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
476 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
88 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
323 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
363 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

106 
WFUS54 KMEG 031527
TORMEG
MSC057-117-141-031600-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0023.230303T1527Z-230303T1600Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Memphis TN
Issued by National Weather Service Nashville TN
927 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023

The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northern Itawamba County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Southeastern Tishomingo County in northeastern Mississippi...
  Southeastern Prentiss County in northeastern Mississippi...

* Until 1000 AM CST.
    
* At 927 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Mantachie, or near Fulton, moving northeast at 50
  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.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Sandy Springs and Fairview around 935 AM CST.
  Belmont around 950 AM CST.
  Tishomingo State Park around 955 AM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include
Eastman, Mingo, Dennis, Moores Mill, Bloody Springs, Petertown, Neil
and Golden.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement 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 3435 8817 3422 8846 3433 8855 3440 8854
      3467 8813
TIME...MOT...LOC 1527Z 237DEG 42KT 3434 8846 

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

$$

PWB
2 follow-up statements
840 
WWUS54 KMEG 031536
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
Issued by National Weather Service Nashville TN
936 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023

MSC057-117-141-031600-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-230303T1600Z/
Itawamba MS-Tishomingo MS-Prentiss MS-
936 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 AM CST FOR NORTHERN
ITAWAMBA...SOUTHEASTERN TISHOMINGO AND SOUTHEASTERN PRENTISS
COUNTIES...
    
At 935 AM CST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Sandy Springs, or 11 miles west of Red Bay, moving
northeast at 60 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.

This dangerous storm will be near...
  Red Bay and Belmont around 945 AM CST.
  Tishomingo State Park around 950 AM CST.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Mingo,
Dennis, Moores Mill, Bloody Springs, Petertown, Neil and Golden.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement 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 3441 8816 3429 8842 3437 8847 3443 8849
      3467 8813
TIME...MOT...LOC 1535Z 227DEG 50KT 3443 8835 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN

$$

PWB
140 
WWUS54 KMEG 031547
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
Issued by National Weather Service Nashville TN
947 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023

MSC057-117-141-031557-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0023.000000T0000Z-230303T1600Z/
Itawamba MS-Tishomingo MS-Prentiss MS-
947 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN ITAWAMBA...SOUTHEASTERN
TISHOMINGO AND SOUTHEASTERN PRENTISS COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...
        
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.  However gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 PM CST for northeastern
Mississippi.

LAT...LON 3441 8816 3429 8842 3437 8847 3443 8849
      3467 8813
TIME...MOT...LOC 1546Z 237DEG 42KT 3451 8821 

$$

PWB

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 Mar 3, 5:26 AM CST, 4 hours 1 minute earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 3, 5:26 AM CST, 4 hours 1 minute before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
Issued by National Weather Service Little Rock AR
526 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023

...New AVIATION...

.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 231 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023

A low pressure system will track through the Mid-South this
morning. This low will drag a cold front through the region.
Showers and thunderstorms will be found ahead of the cold front.
Some of the thunderstorms could be severe with tornadoes, large
hail and damaging winds possible. Locally heavy rainfall is also
expected. Winds will be very strong outside of the thunderstorms
and behind the cold front. Wind gusts of more than 60 mph are
possible. Behind the front, dry and colder weather is expected for
tonight through Sunday morning. Temperatures will warm back to
above normal levels for Sunday and Monday. Another cold front will
bring more rain to the region for Monday night through Thursday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(Today through Thursday)
Issued at 231 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023

A cold front currently is just south of Little Rock extending
northeast to just south of Dyersburg and then continuing east to
just south of Huntingdon. Temperatures north of the front are in
the mid 40s to mid 50s while south of the front, readings are in
the mid to upper 60s. Showers and thunderstorms are moving slowly
across eastern Arkansas and are just beginning to cross the
Mississippi River.

As low pressure moves along the front, thunderstorms could become
severe with tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds possible.
Rainfall could reach 3 to 5 inches over portions of northeast
Arkansas, the Missouri bootheel and northwest Tennessee and a
Flood Watch remains in effect for the entire Mid-South until noon.
Outside of thunderstorms, winds will get quite strong as the low
pressure moves through the region as well as behind it. Winds
gusts could reach 60 mph at times. The High Wind Warning will be
expanded to include most of the Mid-South and will be in effect
from 6 AM until 6 PM this evening.

High pressure will be building into the region tonight with dry
and cooler air moving in. Temperatures will be seasonally cool
with lows Saturday morning in the upper 30s to mid 40s. Some
patchy areas of frost could develop over northern sections of the
Mid-South. The surface high will be over the region on Saturday
with dry weather and temperatures near normal with highs in the
upper 50s to mid 60s. Saturday night will remain dry with
temperatures moderating. By Sunday, winds will have shifted to the
south allowing temperatures to warm into the lower 70s across the
southern half of the region. Monday will also be dry with
temperatures reaching the mid to upper 70s in the afternoon.

A cold front will move into the region from the north Monday night
with scattered showers developing. The cold front will move into
north Mississippi by Tuesday morning and then stalls out across
central Mississippi on Wednesday. As a result, more showers are
expected across the entire Mid-South for both Tuesday and
Wednesday. An upper level disturbance moves through the region on
Thursday with more scattered showers possible.

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 514 AM CST Fri Mar 3 2023

Showers and thunderstorms will continue to move across the Mid-
South this morning ahead of a cold front. Some areas of MVFR
ceilings can be found ahead of the front. Once the cold front
moves through ceilings will improve to VFR levels. Winds will be
quite strong today starting from the south at 20 to 25 knots with
gusts exceeding 40 knots. By this afternoon winds will shift to
the southwest but will remain as strong. By tonight, winds will be
from the northwest at 10 to 15 knots with some higher gusts then
will diminish overnight.

&&

.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...Flood Watch until noon CST today for ARZ009-018-026>028-035-036-
     048-049-058.

     Wind Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for ARZ009-018-026-027-
     035.

     Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST early this morning for ARZ028-036-
     048-049-058.

     High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for ARZ028-036-048-
     049-058.

MO...Flood Watch until noon CST today for MOZ113-115.

     Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST early this morning for MOZ113-115.

     High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for MOZ113-115.

MS...Flood Watch until noon CST today for MSZ001>017-020>024.

     Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST early this morning for MSZ001>017-
     020>024.

     High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for MSZ001>017-
     020>024.

TN...Flood Watch until noon CST today for TNZ001>004-019>022-048>055-
     088>092.

     Wind Advisory until 6 AM CST early this morning for TNZ001>004-
     019>022-048>055-088>092.

     High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for TNZ001>004-
     019>022-048>055-088>092.

&&

PUBLIC FORECAST...ARS
AVIATION...ARS

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 3, 7:11 AM CST, 2 hours 16 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
711 AM CST FRI MAR 3 2023

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

0705 AM     FLASH FLOOD      MARION                  35.21N 90.20W
03/03/2023                   CRITTENDEN         AR   BROADCAST MEDIA

            SIGNIFICANT STREET FLOODING IN A RESIDENTIAL
            AREA IN MARION. WATER APPROXIMATELY 2-3 FEET
            DEEP.

&&

MJ
Local storm report, Mar 3, 7:46 AM CST, 1 hour 41 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
746 AM CST FRI MAR 3 2023

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

0723 AM     FLASH FLOOD      4 NNW COVINGTON         35.61N 89.68W
03/03/2023                   TIPTON             TN   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            PART OF MT LEBANON RD WASHED OUT NEAR THE
            INTERSECTION WITH MILLSTONE MOUNTAIN ROAD.
            ROAD IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

&&

MJ
Local storm report, Mar 3, 9:07 AM CST, 20 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
907 AM CST FRI MAR 3 2023

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

0900 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 3 NE TUPELO             34.29N 88.70W
03/03/2023                   LEE                MS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            18 WHEELER OVERTURNED AT HIGHWAY 45 AND
            INTERSTATE 22. UNKNOWN INJURIES AT THIS
            TIME.

&&

AC3
Local storm report, Mar 3, 9:09 AM CST, 18 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
909 AM CST FRI MAR 3 2023

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

0845 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG NETTLETON               34.09N 88.62W
03/03/2023                   LEE                MS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            A ROOF WAS PARTIALLY BLOWN OFF AN APARTMENT
            BUILDING IN NETTLETON.

&&

AC3
Local storm report, Mar 3, 9:13 AM CST, 14 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
913 AM CST FRI MAR 3 2023

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

0852 AM     NON-TSTM WND DMG 2 E TUPELO              34.26N 88.70W
03/03/2023                   LEE                MS   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ACROSS LEE COUNTY, MS.

&&

AC3

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 2, 7:13 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningMEGLafayette, Marshall, Union24 hr
Mar 2, 10:01 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementMEGDeSoto29 min
Mar 2, 10:26 PM CSTRiver Flood WarningMEGLowndes, Monroe4 days

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Mississippi, 2023Every tornado warning in 2023Tornadoes in 2023

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.