Alert archive / Tennessee / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 201, NWS Memphis, TN

May 2, 2025Lauderdale County, Tipton County, Tennessee; Mississippi County, Arkansas

NWS Memphis, TN issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 2, 2025, 8:12 AM CDT for Lauderdale County, Tipton County, Tennessee; Mississippi County, Arkansas. It was in force for 48 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 2, 2025, 8:12 AM CDT (13:12 UTC)
Expired
May 2, 2025, 9:00 AM CDT
In force
48 min
Issued by
NWS Memphis, TN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Mississippi County, AR, Lauderdale County, TN, Tipton County, TN

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 37 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 13:14 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.

The nearest sounding before it

Nashville Metro, TN (KBNA), launched 12:00Z, 1.2 hours before the alert went out and 294 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2025-05-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1065 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, Nashville Metro, TN at 12:00Z on 2025-05-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 82 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
1065 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-8 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
597 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
33 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
82 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
100 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.3
Supercell composite
2.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 2, 6:55 AM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 643 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025
  • Severe thunderstorms will be possible over the Midsouth today. During the early morning, large hail will be the primary severe threat, mainly west of the Mississippi River. After midmorning, damaging winds will become the primary severe weather threat.
  • Scattered showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms will continue late tonight through Sunday afternoon, mainly to the north and east of Memphis.
  • Cool temperatures will prevail Saturday through early Monday. Most of the Midsouth will see highs in the 60s Sunday, and lows in the upper 40s Sunday night.
Area forecast discussion, May 2, 6:55 AM CDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
655 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 643 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

- Severe thunderstorms will be possible over the Midsouth today.
  During the early morning, large hail will be the primary severe
  threat, mainly west of the Mississippi River. After midmorning,
  damaging winds will become the primary severe weather threat.

- Scattered showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms will continue
  late tonight through Sunday afternoon, mainly to the north and
  east of Memphis.

- Cool temperatures will prevail Saturday through early Monday.
  Most of the Midsouth will see highs in the 60s Sunday, and lows
  in the upper 40s Sunday night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(Today through Thursday)
Issued at 415 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

The primary forecast concern remains thunderstorm coverage and
timing through this evening.

An east/west band of storms had formed along an elevated warm
front over central AR early this morning. These storms were semi-
discrete, presenting a marginal hail threat as they lifted northeast.

06Z HRRR depicted ample mixed layer CAPE, in excess of 2500 J/kg
over much of the Midsouth by late morning. A belt of 50+kt 700mb
winds are depicted along and north of the I-40 corridor by midday,
coinciding with 0-6 km bulk shear of 45+ knots. However the 06Z
HRRR missed the aforementioned early morning storms over AR,
limiting confidence in short term convective evolution. Where the
airmass isn't modified, midlevel lapse rates around 7.5 C/km will
support large hail where storms remain discrete.

The steep lapse rates will weaken through the morning, and expect
the primary threat to shift to damaging winds as the stronger
kinematics arrive. The wind threat will push to the TN River by
mid-afternoon. With the continuation of upstream height falls,
the severe weather threat will shift south of I-40 this evening,
focused near an advancing surface cold front. Severe threat should
end over northeast MS mid/late evening, as the low level warm
sector moves into AL.

The Midsouth will remain under an upper level cut-off low through
the weekend. This low will be centered over the mid-Mississippi
and lower Ohio River Valley, and will constitute the eastern leg
of an Omega blocking pattern. Diurnally-enhanced showers will be
possible under this low, especially to the north and east of
Memphis through Sunday. Cloud cover and cold air aloft will
result in surface temperatures around 10 degrees below normal.

The Omega blocking pattern will shift slightly east early next
week, placing the Midsouth under brief ridging aloft on Tuesday.
Tuesday's highs should average near normal.

Medium range guidance is consistent in depicting an ejecting
shortwave from Texas into the lower MS River Valley Tuesday
night. With PWATs around 1.8 inches and diffluent flow aloft,
thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall will be possible,
especially south of I-40.

Unsettled weather will likely continue late next week, as the
western U.S. upper low moves into the Great Plains and the
Midsouth remains under the subtropical branch of the upper jet.

PWB

&&

.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 643 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

An upper low pressure system will bring several distinct rounds of
SHRA/TSRA over the next 18 hours or so. The first wave of ongoing
thunderstorms is associated with an elevated warm front. This will
be closely followed by the main event, a large bowing thunderstorm
segment along the cold front that will push through early
afternoon. After the main line of thunderstorms has exited the
region, a broad area of showers will rotate about the upper low as
it tracks directly over the airspace. These three distinct
features are the reason the precip groups in the TAFs at all sites
are quite messy.

With respect to ceilings, confidence in post-frontal IFR
increases the farther east you go. Have not included anything
lower than MVFR at MEM for now but there may be a brief 2-3 hour
window after 00Z tonight where CIGs drop below 1 kft. Overall, the
general trend of ceilings is VFR through midday and a gradual
decline to MVFR/IFR as the upper low approaches this evening.
Winds generally remain southwesterly 5-10 kts through tomorrow
morning. Behind the front, a gradual shift around to the northwest
will take place after sunrise Saturday as all sites return to
VFR.

CAD

&&

.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...None.
MO...None.
MS...None.
TN...None.
&&

PUBLIC FORECAST...PWB
AVIATION...CAD

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 2, 6:22 AM CDT, 1 hour 50 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
622 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

TNZ049-050-088-089-021145-
Tipton TN-Fayette TN-Shelby TN-Haywood TN-
622 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN TIPTON...
NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE...SOUTHWESTERN HAYWOOD AND NORTHEASTERN SHELBY
COUNTIES THROUGH 645 AM CDT...

At 621 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ellendale, or over Bartlett, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lenow, Yum Yum, Barretville, Stanton, Belmont, Ellendale, Woodstock,
Redwood, Rosemark, Hickory Withe, Millington, Arlington, Meux Corner,
Elmore Park, Brunswick, Raleigh, Canaan Grove, Eads, Longtown, and
Moorman.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3514 8984 3526 9007 3555 8945 3531 8930
TIME...MOT...LOC 1121Z 243DEG 25KT 3525 8983

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

CJC
Special weather statement, May 2, 7:04 AM CDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
704 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

ARZ027-035-021245-
Poinsett AR-Cross AR-
704 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN POINSETT AND CROSS
COUNTIES THROUGH 745 AM CDT...

At 704 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hickory Ridge, or 16 miles northwest of Wynne, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Hydrick, Wiley Crossing, Birdeye, Fitzgerald Crossing, Supply, Fair
Oaks, Brushy Lake, McElroy, Vanndale, Mersman, Fisher, Hickory Ridge,
Bay Village, Cherry Valley, Harrisburg, Wynne, Lake Poinsett State
Park, River Front, Pittinger, and Wittsburg.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3564 9104 3565 9064 3517 9062 3516 9104
TIME...MOT...LOC 1204Z 266DEG 31KT 3537 9104

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

CJC
Special weather statement, May 2, 7:59 AM CDT, 13 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
759 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

TNZ088-089-021330-
Fayette TN-Shelby TN-
759 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN FAYETTE AND EAST
CENTRAL SHELBY COUNTIES THROUGH 830 AM CDT...

At 758 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Eads, or 10 miles east of Cordova, moving northeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lenow, Fisherville, Macon, Elba, Belmont, Canadaville, Eads, Oakland,
Longtown, Moorman, Braden, Lambert, Warren, Gallaway, Hickory Withe,
Powers, Griffen, Somerville, Arlington, and Lakeland.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3508 8956 3519 8976 3539 8961 3540 8955
      3541 8951 3527 8926
TIME...MOT...LOC 1258Z 217DEG 9KT 3520 8960

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

CJC
Local storm report, May 2, 8:04 AM CDT, 8 minutes before
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Local storm report, May 2, 8:05 AM CDT, 7 minutes before
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The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 2, 6:22 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGShelby23 min
May 2, 6:54 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Madison26 min
May 2, 7:59 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGFayette31 min
May 2, 8:02 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Haywood, Shelby, Tipton43 min
May 2, 8:08 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGShelby52 min
May 2, 8:42 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGChester33 min
May 2, 8:43 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGHaywood47 min
May 2, 8:52 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCrockett, Haywood, Lauderdale, Tipton23 min
May 2, 9:03 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrockett, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Lauderdale42 min
May 2, 9:15 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrockett, Fayette, Haywood, Lauderdale, Madison, Tipton45 min
May 2, 9:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGDyer36 min
May 2, 9:32 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGTipton28 min
May 2, 9:38 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Obion, Weakley52 min
May 2, 9:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGFayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Shelby51 min
May 2, 10:15 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChester, Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy18 min
May 2, 10:24 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMadison36 min
May 2, 10:32 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGHardeman28 min
May 2, 10:36 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Henry, Weakley39 min
May 2, 10:37 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Chester, Decatur, Hardin, Henderson, McNairy and 1 more53 min
May 2, 11:12 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGBenton, Carroll, Decatur, Henderson32 min
May 2, 11:26 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGShelby64 min
May 2, 11:35 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGDecatur, Hardin, McNairy40 min
May 2, 12:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardeman, McNairy35 min
May 2, 12:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGHardin17 min
May 2, 12:14 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGFayette, Shelby, Tipton61 min
May 2, 1:01 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCarroll, Chester, Crockett, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson and 3 more44 min
May 2, 1:28 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCarroll, Gibson, Henderson, Madison47 min
May 2, 1:47 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGChester, Decatur, Hardin, McNairy, Madison58 min
May 2, 10:30 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma, Quitman, Tunica60 min
May 2, 11:14 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGItawamba, Prentiss, Tishomingo31 min
May 2, 12:29 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLafayette, Panola, Tate, Yalobusha46 min
May 2, 12:39 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGLee36 min
May 2, 12:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCoahoma, Quitman, Tunica39 min
May 2, 1:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCalhoun, Lafayette, Pontotoc, Union, Yalobusha41 min
May 2, 1:05 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGAlcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Prentiss, Tishomingo27 min
May 2, 1:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGItawamba, Tishomingo37 min
May 2, 1:27 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGPanola33 min
May 2, 1:35 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Tishomingo55 min
May 2, 2:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGChickasaw, Monroe67 min
May 2, 2:35 PM CDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMEGItawamba, Monroe, Tishomingo66 min
May 2, 3:25 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw35 min
May 2, 3:54 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCalhoun, Chickasaw, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc51 min
May 2, 4:22 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMonroe38 min
May 1, 7:19 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCraighead26 min
May 1, 7:36 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCraighead39 min
May 1, 8:25 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCraighead35 min
May 2, 7:04 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCross, Poinsett41 min
May 2, 7:43 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCraighead, Mississippi, Poinsett47 min
May 2, 8:59 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGCrittenden31 min
May 2, 10:32 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMEGCrittenden, Cross, Lee, Poinsett, St. Francis58 min
May 2, 11:29 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMEGMississippi46 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Tennessee, 2025Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Arkansas, 2025Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2025

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.