Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2023
Tornado Warning 26, NWS Memphis, TN
NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 24, 2023, 8:17 PM CDT for 4 counties in Mississippi. It was in force for 43 min. 5 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
- Mar 24, 2023, 8:17 PM CDT (01:17 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 24, 2023, 9:00 PM CDT
- In force
- 43 min
- Issued by
- NWS Memphis, TN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.0 in
Counties Lafayette County, MS, Panola County, MS, Tallahatchie County, MS, Yalobusha County, MS
The radar
The Memphis radar (KNQA), 126 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:21 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
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 8:25 PM CDT | TORNADO | 5 E Crowder, MS | EF1 TORNADO WITH A PATH LENGTH OF 8.4 MILES AND A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED WIND SPEED OF 95 MPH. |
| Mar 24, 8:31 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | Pope, MS | TREE BRANCHES DOWN. |
| Mar 24, 8:38 PM CDT | TORNADO | 5 E Courtland, MS | EF-1 TORNADO WITH A PATH LENGTH OF 6.2 MILES AND A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED WIND SPEED OF 110 MPH. |
| Mar 24, 8:40 PM CDT | TSTM WND DMG | 7 Wsw Water Valley, MS | LARGE TREE FELL ON A HOME NEAR ENID LAKE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO ROOF. |
| Mar 24, 8:47 PM CDT | TORNADO | 4 Wsw Burgess, MS | EF-1 TORNADO MOVED WITH A PATH LENGTH OF 4.1 MILES AND A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED WIND SPEED OF 100 MPH. TORNADO CROSSED INTO LAFAYETTE COUNTY. |
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 3 storm reports to this tornado warning; the first came 8 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.
| Issued | Product | Office | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 5:20 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 8 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 1.3 hours before the alert went out and 69 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 645 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 94 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -108 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -171 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
532
WFUS54 KMEG 250117
TORMEG
MSC071-107-135-161-250200-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0026.230325T0117Z-230325T0200Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Memphis TN
817 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Western Lafayette County in northwestern Mississippi...
Northern Yalobusha County in northwestern Mississippi...
Northeastern Tallahatchie County in northwestern Mississippi...
Southeastern Panola County in northwestern Mississippi...
* Until 900 PM CDT.
* At 817 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Charleston, moving northeast at 55 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...
Oxford, Batesville, Water Valley, George Payne State Park, Holly
Springs National Forest, Crowder, Pope, Springdale, Burgess, Enid,
Oakland, Courtland, Taylor, Shuford, College Hill and Eureka
Springs.
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 3417 9014 3451 8963 3424 8938 3397 8999
TIME...MOT...LOC 0117Z 237DEG 46KT 3404 9016
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$2 follow-up statements
517
WWUS54 KMEG 250138
SVSMEG
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
838 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
MSC135-250147-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-230325T0200Z/
Tallahatchie MS-
838 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN TALLAHATCHIE COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for northwestern
Mississippi.
LAT...LON 3410 8993 3416 8993 3416 8997 3425 9003
3451 8963 3424 8938 3402 8987
TIME...MOT...LOC 0137Z 243DEG 48KT 3416 8985
$$
MSC071-107-161-250200-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-230325T0200Z/
Lafayette MS-Yalobusha MS-Panola MS-
838 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
LAFAYETTE...NORTHERN YALOBUSHA AND SOUTHEASTERN PANOLA COUNTIES...
At 837 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over George Payne State Park, moving northeast at 55 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...
Oxford, Batesville, Water Valley, George Payne State Park, Holly
Springs National Forest, Pope, Springdale, Burgess, Courtland,
Taylor, Shuford, College Hill and Eureka Springs.
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 3410 8993 3416 8993 3416 8997 3425 9003
3451 8963 3424 8938 3402 8987
TIME...MOT...LOC 0137Z 243DEG 48KT 3416 8985
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$767
WWUS54 KMEG 250147 RRA
SVSMEG
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
847 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
MSC161-250157-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-230325T0200Z/
Yalobusha MS-
847 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHERN YALOBUSHA COUNTY IS CANCELLED...
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out
of the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for northwestern
Mississippi.
LAT...LON 3419 8983 3428 8988 3438 8981 3451 8963
3424 8938 3419 8961 3419 8972 3417 8972
3416 8974 3416 8981
TIME...MOT...LOC 0147Z 237DEG 49KT 3424 8969
$$
MSC071-107-250200-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0026.000000T0000Z-230325T0200Z/
Lafayette MS-Panola MS-
847 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR WESTERN
LAFAYETTE AND SOUTHEASTERN PANOLA COUNTIES...
At 847 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Springdale, or near Water Valley, moving northeast
at 55 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...
Oxford, Water Valley, Holly Springs National Forest, Springdale,
Burgess, Taylor, College Hill and Shuford.
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 3419 8983 3428 8988 3438 8981 3451 8963
3424 8938 3419 8961 3419 8972 3417 8972
3416 8974 3416 8981
TIME...MOT...LOC 0147Z 237DEG 49KT 3424 8969
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$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 24, 6:16 PM CDT, 2 hours 1 minute earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Mar 24, 6:16 PM CDT, 2 hours 1 minute before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
616 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
...New AVIATION...
.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 245 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
A low pressure system and associated frontal boundaries are
the root cause of severe weather impacts for the Mid-South to begin
this afternoon. All severe weather hazards are expected as the
system treks east across the region. This quick moving system is
anticipated to exit the region by midnight. A mostly dry weekend is
on tap, with a small chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms on
Saturday afternoon near the Tennessee River valley and again on Sunday
evening across northeast Mississippi. Above normal temperatures
this week and a high pressure system will allot for dry weather
until a late week system approaches.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
(This evening through next Thursday)
Issued at 245 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
Favorable conditions across the Mid-South today for
severe weather and all associated hazards. Tornadoes, damaging wind
gusts, flash and areal flooding, and hail are all threats today. The
highest threat of severe thunderstorms is across northwest
Mississippi into far northwest Tennessee. Flooding is most likely in
northwest Tennessee, the Missouri Bootheel, and northeast Arkansas.
Low pressure near the OK/AR border will track northeast along a
current stalled frontal boundary. A mid-level trough will push the
stalled boundary across the region making conditions more
favorable across the Delta region tonight. CAPE values, moisture,
shear, and warm temperatures are allowing more favorable
conditions for discrete cell development ahead of the main line.
If these discrete cells can form in the warm sector, strong
tornadoes are possible. The tornado threat will continue as there
could be embedded tornadoes in the line along with damaging winds.
A Tornado Watch will likely be issued this afternoon. Gusty
southerly winds will support a Wind Advisory until 3am Saturday.
This system should make its exit by midnight tonight and result in a
mainly dry weekend. A lingering cell or two may cause some showers
and an isolated thunderstorm in the northeast corner of west
Tennessee tomorrow afternoon. An active subtropical jet creates a
chance of showers, mostly in the southern portion of northeast
Mississippi, Sunday evening. There may be an isolated thunderstorm
associated with these showers, but severe threat is limited.
The remaining portion of the Mid-South will be warm and dry until late
week as high pressure settles into the region. Above normal
temperatures expected this week with highs mainly in the 60s and
70s with lows in the upper 40s and 50s. Our next chance of rain
appears to come late week.
DNM
&&
.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 608 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
Showers and thunderstorms are moving across the area and will
affect sites west to east. Cigs and vsbys will lower and we will
see IFR conditions in the thunderstorms and heavier showers.
Conditions should improve to VFR through the early morning with
low cigs moving in behind the cold front for several hours. By
tomorrow mid morning, conditions everywhere should be VFR. Wind
is quite variable depending on the site. In general, wind should
be southerly 15-20kts with occasional gusts to 30kts possible.
Wind should relax for a short time overnight before picking back
up in the morning and veering WNW by the end of the TAF cycle.
SMW
&&
.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...Flood Watch through Saturday morning for ARZ009-018-026>028-035.
Wind Advisory until 3 AM CDT Saturday for ARZ009-018-026>028-035-
036-048-049-058.
MO...Flood Watch through Saturday morning for MOZ113-115.
Wind Advisory until 3 AM CDT Saturday for MOZ113-115.
MS...Wind Advisory until 3 AM CDT Saturday for MSZ001>017-020>024.
TN...Flood Watch through Saturday morning for TNZ001>003-019.
Wind Advisory until 3 AM CDT Saturday for TNZ001>004-019>022-
048>055-088>092.
&&
PUBLIC FORECAST...DNM
AVIATION...SMWIn the hours before
Special weather statement, Mar 24, 7:43 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
743 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
MSZ001-002-TNZ088-089-250115-
Marshall MS-DeSoto MS-Fayette TN-Shelby TN-
743 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern DeSoto,
northwestern Marshall, southwestern Fayette and southeastern Shelby
Counties through 815 PM CDT...
At 743 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Bartlett to Southaven. Movement was east at 65
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Bartlett, Southaven, Collierville, Germantown, Olive Branch, Horn
Lake, Cordova, Memphis, Lakeland, Arlington, Somerville, Mt Pleasant,
Ellendale, Southeast Memphis, Eads, Warren, Macon, Oakland, Piperton
and Rossville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for northwestern
Mississippi...and west Tennessee.
&&
LAT...LON 3528 8933 3495 8947 3494 9003 3528 8983
TIME...MOT...LOC 0043Z 260DEG 55KT 3522 8982 3496 8999
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHLocal storm report, Mar 24, 7:48 PM CDT, 29 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
748 PM CDT FRI MAR 24 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0739 PM TSTM WND GST 4 NE WHITEHAVEN 35.07N 89.98W
03/24/2023 M58 MPH SHELBY TN ASOS
ASOS STATION KMEM MEMPHIS.
&&Local storm report, Mar 24, 8:03 PM CDT, 14 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
803 PM CDT FRI MAR 24 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0629 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 ESE GREENFIELD 35.67N 90.66W
03/24/2023 POINSETT AR LAW ENFORCEMENT
TREE DOWN BLOCKING ROAD.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Memphis, TN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 7:07 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | DeSoto | 38 min |
| Mar 24, 7:39 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | MEG | DeSoto | 3 hr |
| Mar 24, 7:45 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Quitman, Tallahatchie | 45 min |
| Mar 24, 7:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Benton, DeSoto, Marshall | 48 min |
| Mar 24, 8:16 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MEG | DeSoto | 3 hr |
| Mar 24, 8:42 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MEG | Benton | 33 min |
| Mar 24, 8:50 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Lafayette, Marshall, Pontotoc, Union | 40 min |
| Mar 24, 9:17 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MEG | Lafayette, Panola, Tallahatchie, Yalobusha | 3 hr |
| Mar 24, 9:21 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Alcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Union | 39 min |
| Mar 24, 9:27 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Itawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Union | 48 min |
| Mar 24, 9:36 PM CDT | Areal Flood Advisory | MEG | Benton, DeSoto, Marshall | 83 min |
| Mar 24, 9:37 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Itawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Union | 23 min |
| Mar 24, 9:43 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Calhoun, Chickasaw, Monroe | 47 min |
| Mar 24, 9:54 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Itawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Tishomingo | 35 min |
| Mar 24, 10:08 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MEG | Lafayette, Marshall, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Union | 3 hr |
| Mar 24, 10:29 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MEG | Chickasaw, Itawamba, Monroe | 46 min |
| Mar 24, 10:31 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MEG | Calhoun | 14 min |
| Mar 24, 10:35 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MEG | Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Tishomingo | 3 hr |
| Mar 24, 10:37 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Chickasaw, Itawamba, Monroe | 38 min |
| Mar 24, 11:04 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MEG | Calhoun, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe | 3 hr |
| Mar 24, 11:12 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Itawamba | 8 min |
| Mar 24, 11:55 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | MEG | Monroe | 3 hr |
| Mar 25, 6:44 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | MEG | Lee | 3 hr |
| Mar 25, 6:53 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | MEG | Monroe | 13 hr |
| Mar 25, 6:55 AM CDT | River Flood Warning | MEG | Lowndes, Monroe | 4 days |
| Mar 25, 12:29 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | MEG | Lafayette, Marshall, Union | 22 hr |
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.