Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 34, NWS Jackson, MS

May 6, 2026Forrest County, Lamar County, Mississippi

NWS Jackson, MS issued this tornado warning at May 6, 2026, 6:56 PM CDT for Forrest County, Lamar County, Mississippi. It was in force for 34 min. 3 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 6, 2026, 6:56 PM CDT (23:56 UTC)
Expired
May 6, 2026, 7:30 PM CDT
In force
34 min
Issued by
NWS Jackson, MS
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Radar indicated
Hail
1.0 in

Counties Forrest County, MS, Lamar County, MS

The radar

The Hammond radar (KHDC), 120 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:54 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 6, 7:07 PM CDTTORNADO2 N Purvis, MSCorrects time of previous tornado report from 2 N Purvis and updated damage info. Major damage occurred to buildings along MS Highway 589 and Old Highway 11. An office building was damaged. Multiple trees were also uprooted in the area. A tornadic debris signa
May 6, 7:25 PM CDTTORNADO3 Ese Dixie, MSTrees down on Patrick Rd.
May 6, 7:26 PM CDTTORNADO2 N Purvis, MSEmergency manager reported damage to office building.

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 11 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
May 6, 2:14 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 12:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 106 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-06Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 992 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, Slidell Radar S, LA at 12:00Z on 2026-05-06The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 176 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
992 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-160 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
475 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
42 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
176 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
183 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.2
Supercell composite
1.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

778 
WFUS54 KJAN 062356
TORJAN
MSC035-073-070030-
/O.NEW.KJAN.TO.W.0034.260506T2356Z-260507T0030Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Jackson MS
656 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  Northeastern Forrest County in southeastern Mississippi...
  Southeastern Lamar County in southeastern Mississippi...

* Until 730 PM CDT.

* At 656 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located near Baxterville, or 7 miles west of Purvis, moving
  east at 50 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.

* This dangerous storm will be near...
  Hattiesburg, Purvis, and Pine Ridge around 700 PM CDT.
  Rock Hill around 705 PM CDT.
  McLaurin around 710 PM CDT.

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 3107 8953 3116 8953 3125 8959 3141 8915
      3109 8915
TIME...MOT...LOC 2356Z 260DEG 43KT 3113 8953 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

SAS
2 follow-up statements
031 
WWUS54 KJAN 062358
SVSJAN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
658 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

MSC035-073-070030-
/O.CON.KJAN.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260507T0030Z/
Forrest MS-Lamar MS-
658 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN FORREST AND SOUTHEASTERN LAMAR COUNTIES...

At 658 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Purvis, moving
east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

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 tornado will be near...
  Hattiesburg, Purvis, Rock Hill, and Pine Ridge around 705 PM CDT.
  McLaurin around 710 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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 3107 8953 3116 8953 3125 8959 3141 8915
      3109 8915
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 260DEG 43KT 3113 8950 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

SAS
757 
WWUS54 KJAN 070010
SVSJAN

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
710 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

MSC035-073-070030-
/O.CON.KJAN.TO.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260507T0030Z/
Forrest MS-Lamar MS-
710 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN FORREST AND EAST CENTRAL LAMAR COUNTIES...

At 710 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located near Pine Ridge, or near Purvis, moving northeast at 40 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.

The tornado will be near...
  Hattiesburg, West Hattiesburg, Oak Grove, Sunrise, and McLaurin 
  around 715 PM CDT.
  Petal around 720 PM CDT.
  Macedonia around 725 PM CDT.

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 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 3109 8948 3116 8951 3125 8955 3141 8915
      3109 8915
TIME...MOT...LOC 0010Z 237DEG 36KT 3120 8939 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN

$$

DL

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 Jackson, MS wrote its last area forecast discussion before this tornado warning went out at May 6, 6:44 PM CDT, 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Severe storms capable of producing tornadoes, some possibly strong, damaging winds and large hail, are likely this afternoon into tonight.
  • Locally heavy rainfall and areas of flooding are likely, with further drought relief expected.
Area forecast discussion, May 6, 6:44 PM CDT, 12 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
644 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Severe storms capable of producing tornadoes, some possibly
  strong, damaging winds and large hail, are likely this afternoon
  into tonight.

- Locally heavy rainfall and areas of flooding are likely, with
  further drought relief expected.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 130 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

Rest of this Afternoon into Thursday...A threat for severe storms
continues across the forecast area this afternoon into tonight.
There have indeed been some adjustments to the respected threat
areas across the forecast area based upon both surface and upper air
observations through the course of the day, and the latest high-res
model data. The primary adjustments to these threat areas have been
a shift to the south for each.  This is primarily due to a steadier
southward push of the cold front and the cooler drier air associated
with it settling into northern portions of the CWA, in addition to a
good capping inversion remaining across the area. This cap will
continue to be sampled with special KJAN RAOBS through late this
afternoon and evening.  As eluded to earlier, this cap, along with
the abundance of cloud cover across the forecast area, could play a
sizeable roll in hampering both coverage and intensity of convection
across the area, along with where the best threat area for severe
weather sets up.

From now through around 6 PM, storms that develop across the CWA
will primarily have the potential of producing damaging winds to 70
mph and hail to the size of golf balls.  This will especially be the
case across areas currently residing in both the "Enhanced Risk"
(Level 3 of 5) and the "Slight Risk" (Level 2 of 5) areas.  Some
convection developing in the wake of the front, namely across the
Delta region and North Central Mississippi can't be ruled out.
There, a "Marginal Risk" for isolated severe storms exists, with a
low end threat for hail to the size of quarters and damaging wind
gusts.

As we move into late afternoon and evening hours, an area of ascent
will lift northeast across the region.  The combination of the
expected weakening cap, available instability, steep mid-level lapse
rates, and increasing overall wind shear and lengthening hodographs,
the potential for severe storms increases further. During this time
and to a greater extent, the threat for tornadoes increases across
much of the area.  This is particularly the case in both the
"Enhanced Risk" and "Slight Risk" areas, with a strong tornado
possible in and around the "Enhanced Risk" area.

In addition to the severe weather threat today, an "Elevated Threat"
for flash flooding due to heavy rainfall and training of convection
is likely given the increase in atmospheric moisture across the
region, 2-2.25 inch precipitable H2O values. This will particularly
be the case across portions of central, south, and east Mississippi.
Here, rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches, and locally higher, will be
possible in a short amount of time. Elsewhere across a good portion
of the area, a "Limited Threat" for flash flooding exists with
rainfall amounts ranging from 2-3 inches will be possible in a short
amount of time.

Currently, the potential for severe weather looks to finally wrap up
across the Pine Belt region between the hours of 1-3 AM Thursday.
Some shower activity will linger there through late morning. Clouds
will gradually break across the area from northwest to southeast
through the afternoon, with slightly cooler drier conditions
expected for Thursday into Thursday night. /19/

Friday through next Tuesday...Rain chances begin to shift southeast
into late week. Synoptic and surface features will consist of cutoff
low aloft near the International Border with frontal zone shifting
southeast into the northern Gulf. This will keep some rain chances
along the Natchez Trace through before daybreak Friday, with highest
coverage into the Pine Belt to Highway 84 to Interstate 59 corridors
but shifting northward into the Interstate 20 corridor through the
day. As shortwave trough swings into the ArLaTex into the weekend,
expect rain coverage to pick up Saturday and into Sunday (25 to 55
percent) ahead of another front.

Temperature forecast become more seasonable as return flow gradually
shifts around into the weekend (highs in upper 70s Friday to low to
mid 80s Saturday and Sunday to mid to upper 80s Sunday and lows in
upper 50s to low 60s Friday night to low to mid 60s Saturday and
Sunday night). As shortwave becomes absorbed in the developing
trough and deepening axis over the region, this will help drive
clearing front through the area and rain chances out likely by early
to midday Monday of next week. High pressure and seasonably cool
conditions will build in the wake. /DC/

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 644 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

Showers and storms are ongoing as a frontal boundary moves through
the region, resulting in various flight conditions across sites.
Some storms could reach severe limited this evening into the
overnight hour. Winds will start southerly and gradually shift to
the north as the period progresses.Rain/storm coverage will begin
decreasing from the northwest after 06Z Thursday Flight conditions
will remain at MVFR/IFR conditions due to low ceilings through the
rest of the period. /SW/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson       61  74  56  74 / 100  10  10  40
Meridian      62  75  54  74 /  90  20   0  30
Vicksburg     58  73  56  75 /  90   0  10  40
Hattiesburg   67  78  59  73 /  80  60  20  60
Natchez       61  75  59  74 / 100  10  30  70
Greenville    55  71  54  76 /  80   0   0   0
Greenwood     56  73  52  77 /  90   0   0   0

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...None.
LA...None.
AR...None.
&&

19/SW

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 6, 5:54 PM CDT, 1 hour 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
554 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

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

0551 PM     Hail             1 ENE Tucker            32.72N 89.03W
05/06/2026  E2.75 Inch       Neshoba            MS   Emergency Mngr

            Emergency manager reported golf to baseball
            size hail near Rd 452.

&&

SW
Local storm report, May 6, 5:56 PM CDT, 1 hour before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
556 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

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

0551 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 SW Redwater           32.76N 89.57W
05/06/2026                   Leake              MS   Emergency Mngr

            Emergency manager reported trees down on HWY
            25 and pea size hail.

&&

SW
Special weather statement, May 6, 6:02 PM CDT, 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
602 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

MSZ063-064-072-062330-
Lawrence MS-Jefferson Davis MS-Marion MS-
602 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MARION...SOUTHERN
LAWRENCE AND SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON DAVIS COUNTIES THROUGH 630 PM
CDT...

At 602 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Tilton, or 11 miles south of Monticello, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny 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.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Oak Vale, Society Hill, Tilton, Robinwood, Progress, and Arm
  around 610 PM CDT.
  Prentiss and Carson around 615 PM CDT.
  Bassfield around 620 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for south central
Mississippi.

&&

LAT...LON 3134 9009 3134 9011 3135 9011 3136 9024
      3138 9024 3171 8989 3150 8967 3139 8993
      3133 8999 3133 9004 3134 9005 3133 9006
      3133 9008
TIME...MOT...LOC 2302Z 235DEG 48KT 3139 9010

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

DL
Special weather statement, May 6, 6:15 PM CDT, 41 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
615 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

MSZ048-049-054-055-062345-
Copiah MS-Hinds MS-Rankin MS-Simpson MS-
615 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN RANKIN...
NORTHWESTERN SIMPSON...SOUTH CENTRAL HINDS AND NORTHEASTERN COPIAH
COUNTIES THROUGH 645 PM CDT...

At 615 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Crystal Springs, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny 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...
Crystal Springs, Florence, Hazlehurst, Terry, Braxton, Star, Gallman,
Hopewell, Whites, Monterey, Harrisville, and Piney Woods.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for central
Mississippi.

&&

LAT...LON 3187 9043 3204 9045 3222 9003 3195 8994
TIME...MOT...LOC 2315Z 249DEG 42KT 3200 9033

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

DL
Local storm report, May 6, 6:29 PM CDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
629 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

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

0500 PM     Hail             McCall Creek            31.51N 90.70W
05/06/2026  M1.25 Inch       Franklin           MS   Public

            This was reported by a nearby convenience
            store, and video was taken of the hail as
            well.

&&

EC
Special weather statement, May 6, 6:56 PM CDT, 0 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
656 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

LAZ007-008-070030-
Morehouse LA-West Carroll LA-
656 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL MOREHOUSE AND WEST
CENTRAL WEST CARROLL PARISHES THROUGH 730 PM CDT...

At 656 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bastrop, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Bastrop, Mer Rouge, Collinston, and Galion.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3274 9205 3276 9206 3280 9205 3297 9179
      3273 9151 3267 9193 3266 9194 3268 9196
      3271 9197 3270 9202 3271 9204 3270 9204
      3269 9205 3273 9207
TIME...MOT...LOC 2356Z 250DEG 37KT 3274 9199

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

DL

The office that day

Everything else NWS Jackson, MS issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 6, 4:49 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANBolivar26 min
May 6, 12:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANLauderdale45 min
May 6, 3:24 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANWarren51 min
May 6, 3:38 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANLowndes37 min
May 6, 3:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANAdams51 min
May 6, 4:05 PM CDTTornado WarningJANAdams28 min
May 6, 4:18 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANMadison57 min
May 6, 4:30 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANLeake, Madison45 min
May 6, 4:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANClaiborne, Jefferson44 min
May 6, 4:36 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANFranklin, Lincoln39 min
May 6, 4:55 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANCopiah, Franklin, Lincoln34 min
May 6, 4:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANLeake, Rankin, Scott39 min
May 6, 5:03 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANMarion27 min
May 6, 5:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANAdams55 min
May 6, 5:22 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatJANNeshoba, Newton53 min
May 6, 5:27 PM CDTTornado WarningJANAdams63 min
May 6, 5:45 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANCovington30 min
May 6, 5:51 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatJANKemper54 min
May 6, 6:02 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANJefferson Davis28 min
May 6, 6:12 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyJANAdams, Franklin63 min
May 6, 6:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANSimpson30 min
May 6, 6:17 PM CDTTornado WarningJANLamar, Marion58 min
May 6, 6:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANJefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson40 min
May 6, 6:33 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANRankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith34 min
May 6, 6:39 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threatJANCovington, Jefferson Davis, Simpson, Smith51 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Mississippi, 2026Every tornado warning in 2026Tornadoes in 2026

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.