Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2026
Tornado Warning 36, NWS Jackson, MS
NWS Jackson, MS issued this tornado warning at May 6, 2026, 7:23 PM CDT for Forrest County, Mississippi. It was in force for 22 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
- May 6, 2026, 7:23 PM CDT (00:23 UTC)
- Expired
- May 6, 2026, 7:45 PM CDT
- In force
- 22 min
- Issued by
- NWS Jackson, MS
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Observed
- Hail
- 1.75 in
County Forrest County, MS
The radar
The Mobile radar (KMOB), 117 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 7:25 PM CDT | TORNADO | 3 Ese Dixie, MS | Trees down on Patrick Rd. |
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 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 2:14 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 9 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 00:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 118 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
- 1598 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -13 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 648 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 66 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 252 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 306 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 3.3
- Supercell composite
- 13.3
The text
As transmitted.
769
WFUS54 KJAN 070023
TORJAN
MSC035-070100-
/O.NEW.KJAN.TO.W.0036.260507T0023Z-260507T0100Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Jackson MS
723 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Forrest County in southeastern Mississippi...
* Until 800 PM CDT.
* At 723 PM CDT, a tornado producing storm was located near McLaurin,
or 7 miles south of Hattiesburg, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Damaging tornado and golf ball 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 tornadic storm will be near...
Hattiesburg, Sunrise, and McLaurin around 730 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 3127 8935 3139 8915 3117 8915 3113 8935
TIME...MOT...LOC 0023Z 243DEG 26KT 3122 8929
TORNADO...OBSERVED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
DL2 follow-up statements
923
WWUS54 KJAN 070034 RRA
SVSJAN
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
734 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
MSC035-070100-
/O.CON.KJAN.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-260507T0100Z/
Forrest MS-
734 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT FOR
NORTHEASTERN FORREST COUNTY...
At 734 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Sunrise, or 7 miles southeast of Petal, moving
northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Hattiesburg around 740 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3139 8915 3117 8915 3116 8921 3131 8929
TIME...MOT...LOC 0034Z 246DEG 27KT 3125 8918
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
$$
DL871 WWUS54 KJAN 070045 SVSJAN Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Jackson MS 745 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026 MSC035-070055- /O.CAN.KJAN.TO.W.0036.000000T0000Z-260507T0100Z/ Forrest MS- 745 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN FORREST COUNTY IS CANCELLED... The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for southeastern Mississippi. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service Jackson. && LAT...LON 3139 8915 3117 8915 3116 8921 3131 8929 TIME...MOT...LOC 0042Z 243DEG 26KT 3129 8910 $$ 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, 39 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, 39 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
Special weather statement, May 6, 6:02 PM CDT, 1 hour 21 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
DLSpecial weather statement, May 6, 6:15 PM CDT, 1 hour 8 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
DLLocal storm report, May 6, 6:29 PM CDT, 54 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.
&&
ECSpecial weather statement, May 6, 6:56 PM CDT, 27 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
DLSpecial weather statement, May 6, 7:17 PM CDT, 6 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
717 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
MSZ051-057-070045-
Newton MS-Jasper MS-
717 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN JASPER AND SOUTH
CENTRAL NEWTON COUNTIES THROUGH 745 PM CDT...
At 717 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Louin, or near Bay Springs, moving northeast at 40 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.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Louin, Montrose, and Turnerville around 725 PM CDT.
Garlandville around 730 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for east central
Mississippi.
&&
LAT...LON 3206 8895 3193 8932 3212 8932 3231 8916
TIME...MOT...LOC 0017Z 237DEG 36KT 3203 8930
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DLSpecial weather statement, May 6, 7:19 PM CDT, 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
719 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
LAZ016-023-070045-
Madison LA-Franklin LA-
719 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL MADISON AND
NORTHERN FRANKLIN PARISHES THROUGH 745 PM CDT...
At 719 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Baskin, or near Winnsboro, 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.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Crowville around 725 PM CDT.
Bakers around 730 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for northeastern
Louisiana.
&&
LAT...LON 3221 9182 3225 9177 3233 9176 3234 9175
3233 9173 3234 9170 3237 9170 3239 9167
3239 9165 3240 9163 3241 9148 3242 9148
3224 9140 3216 9182 3218 9183
TIME...MOT...LOC 0019Z 247DEG 42KT 3224 9174
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DLThe office that day
Everything else NWS Jackson, MS issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 7:10 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | JAN | Franklin, Lincoln | 65 min |
| May 6, 7:17 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | JAN | Jasper | 28 min |
| May 6, 7:42 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | JAN | Lauderdale | 18 min |
| May 6, 7:59 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | JAN | Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln | 61 min |
| May 6, 8:05 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | JAN | Winston | 25 min |
| May 6, 8:36 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | JAN | Hinds | 24 min |
| May 6, 8:45 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | JAN | Covington, Jefferson Davis | 60 min |
| May 6, 9:04 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | JAN | Adams | 26 min |
| May 6, 9:27 PM CDT | River Flood Warning | JAN | Jones | 12 hr |
| May 6, 9:30 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | JAN | Covington, Jones | 31 min |
| May 6, 9:34 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | JAN | Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence | 116 min |
| May 6, 9:34 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | JAN | Jefferson Davis | 41 min |
| May 6, 9:42 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | JAN | Franklin, Lincoln | 63 min |
| May 6, 10:03 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | JAN | Franklin, Lawrence, Lincoln | 4 hr |
| May 6, 10:09 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | JAN | Covington, Jones | 4 hr |
| May 6, 10:19 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | JAN | Lawrence, Lincoln | 56 min |
| May 6, 10:38 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | JAN | Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion | 67 min |
| May 6, 11:23 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | JAN | Forrest, Lamar, Marion | 67 min |
| May 6, 11:38 PM CDT | Flash Flood Warning | JAN | Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence | 3 hr |
| May 6, 11:57 PM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | JAN | Forrest | 18 min |
| May 7, 1:20 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | JAN | Clarke, Jasper | 25 min |
| May 7, 3:18 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | JAN | Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion | 42 min |
| May 7, 3:39 AM CDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | JAN | Forrest, Jones, Lamar | 31 min |
| May 7, 3:44 AM CDT | Special Weather Statement | JAN | Forrest | 31 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.