Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2023

Tornado Warning 32, NWS Memphis, TN

March 24, 2023Itawamba County, Mississippi

NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 24, 2023, 11:12 PM CDT for Itawamba County, Mississippi. It was in force for 8 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 24, 2023, 11:12 PM CDT (04:12 UTC)
Expired
Mar 24, 2023, 11:20 PM CDT
In force
8 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Observed
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
0.75 in

County Itawamba County, MS

The radar

The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 27 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:13 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this tornado warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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 24, 5:20 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 4.2 hours before the alert went out and 173 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, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2023-03-25Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2023-03-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 137 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
1 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-8 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1670 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
56 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
137 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
174 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

816 
WFUS54 KMEG 250412
TORMEG
MSC057-250430-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0032.230325T0412Z-230325T0430Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Memphis TN
Issued by National Weather Service Memphis TN
1112 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023

The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Southeastern Itawamba County in northeastern Mississippi...

* Until 1130 PM CDT.
    
* At 1112 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado
  was located near Tremont, or 11 miles southeast of Fulton, moving
  northeast at 60 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...
  New Salem, Cadamy and Turon. 

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 3409 8820 3409 8835 3416 8835 3424 8819
TIME...MOT...LOC 0412Z 231DEG 52KT 3415 8825 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN

$$
1 follow-up statement
039 
WWUS54 KMEG 250420
SVSMEG

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
Issued by National Weather Service Memphis TN
1120 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023

MSC057-250429-
/O.CAN.KMEG.TO.W.0032.000000T0000Z-230325T0430Z/
Itawamba MS-
1120 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN ITAWAMBA COUNTY 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.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement 
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service 
Memphis.

LAT...LON 3409 8820 3409 8835 3416 8835 3424 8819
TIME...MOT...LOC 0418Z 231DEG 52KT 3422 8814 

$$

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, 4 hours 56 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 24, 6:16 PM CDT, 4 hours 56 minutes 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...SMW

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 24, 9:40 PM CDT, 1 hour 32 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
940 PM CDT FRI MAR 24 2023

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

0907 PM     FLASH FLOOD      2 SSE ROSSVILLE         35.02N 89.53W
03/24/2023                   FAYETTE            TN   PUBLIC

            DITCHES ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WERE
            COMPLETELY FULL AND OVERFLOWING THE ROAD.

&&
Local storm report, Mar 24, 10:23 PM CDT, 49 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1023 PM CDT FRI MAR 24 2023

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

1018 PM     FLASH FLOOD      4 NNW OXFORD            34.41N 89.56W
03/24/2023                   LAFAYETTE          MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FLOODING IN THE TWELVE OAKS SUBDIVISION
            NORTHWEST OF OXFORD. WATER IS SEVERAL FEET
            DEEP ON OHARA ROAD.

&&

MJ
Local storm report, Mar 24, 10:27 PM CDT, 45 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1027 PM CDT FRI MAR 24 2023

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

1000 PM     HAIL             BALDWYN                 34.50N 88.63W
03/24/2023  M1.75 INCH       LEE                MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN BALDWYN.

&&
Local storm report, Mar 24, 10:29 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1029 PM CDT FRI MAR 24 2023

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

1027 PM     FLASH FLOOD      THAXTON                 34.31N 89.17W
03/24/2023                   PONTOTOC           MS   EMERGENCY MNGR

            FLOODING OF HIGHWAY 336 IN THAXTON.

&&

MJ
Local storm report, Mar 24, 10:31 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1031 PM CDT FRI MAR 24 2023

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

1028 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 N BALDWYN             34.51N 88.63W
03/24/2023                   PRENTISS           MS   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF BALDWYN IS HEAVILY
            FLOODED.

&&
Special weather statement, Mar 24, 10:31 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
Issued by National Weather Service Memphis TN
1031 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023

MSZ022-023-250345-
Calhoun MS-Chickasaw MS-
1031 PM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Chickasaw and southeastern Calhoun Counties through 1045 PM CDT...

At 1031 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Vardaman, or 9 miles southwest of Houston, moving northeast at 55
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Houston, Calhoun City, Vardaman, Derma, Slate Springs, Pyland,
Woodland, Sparta, Thorn, Thelma, Tabbville, Anchor, Atlanta and Slate
Spring.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for northeastern
Mississippi.

&&

LAT...LON 3384 8937 3400 8900 3375 8897 3375 8903
      3374 8904 3374 8919 3372 8919 3372 8938
TIME...MOT...LOC 0331Z 240DEG 46KT 3383 8915

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 24, 7:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDeSoto38 min
Mar 24, 7:39 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGDeSoto3 hr
Mar 24, 7:45 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGQuitman, Tallahatchie45 min
Mar 24, 7:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, DeSoto, Marshall48 min
Mar 24, 8:16 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGDeSoto3 hr
Mar 24, 8:17 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLafayette, Panola, Tallahatchie, Yalobusha43 min
Mar 24, 8:42 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGBenton33 min
Mar 24, 8:50 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGLafayette, Marshall, Pontotoc, Union40 min
Mar 24, 9:17 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGLafayette, Panola, Tallahatchie, Yalobusha3 hr
Mar 24, 9:21 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGAlcorn, Prentiss, Tippah, Union39 min
Mar 24, 9:27 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGItawamba, Lee, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Union48 min
Mar 24, 9:36 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGBenton, DeSoto, Marshall83 min
Mar 24, 9:37 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGItawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Union23 min
Mar 24, 9:43 PM CDTTornado Warning Tornado observedConsiderable damage threatMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Monroe47 min
Mar 24, 9:54 PM CDTTornado WarningMEGItawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Tishomingo35 min
Mar 24, 10:08 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGLafayette, Marshall, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Union3 hr
Mar 24, 10:29 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChickasaw, Itawamba, Monroe46 min
Mar 24, 10:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCalhoun14 min
Mar 24, 10:35 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGAlcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Tishomingo3 hr
Mar 24, 10:37 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyMEGChickasaw, Itawamba, Monroe38 min
Mar 24, 11:04 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe3 hr
Mar 24, 11:55 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMEGMonroe3 hr
Mar 25, 6:44 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGLee3 hr
Mar 25, 6:53 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGMonroe13 hr
Mar 25, 6:55 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGLowndes, Monroe4 days
Mar 25, 12:29 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningMEGLafayette, Marshall, Union22 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.