Alert archive / Mississippi / Tornado Warnings in 2026

Tornado Warning 36, NWS Jackson, MS

May 6, 2026Forrest County, Mississippi

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

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 6, 7:25 PM CDTTORNADO3 Ese Dixie, MSTrees 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.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
May 6, 2:14 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC9 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Slidell Radar S, LA at 00:00Z on 2026-05-07Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1598 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 00:00Z on 2026-05-07The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 252 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
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

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

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

$$

DL
2 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

$$

DL
871 
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

DL
Special 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

DL
Local 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.

&&

EC
Special 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

DL
Special 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

DL
Special 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

DL

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 6, 7:10 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedCatastrophic damage threatJANFranklin, Lincoln65 min
May 6, 7:17 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANJasper28 min
May 6, 7:42 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANLauderdale18 min
May 6, 7:59 PM CDTTornado Warning EmergencyTornado observedConsiderable damage threatJANJefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln61 min
May 6, 8:05 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANWinston25 min
May 6, 8:36 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANHinds24 min
May 6, 8:45 PM CDTTornado WarningJANCovington, Jefferson Davis60 min
May 6, 9:04 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANAdams26 min
May 6, 9:27 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningJANJones12 hr
May 6, 9:30 PM CDTTornado WarningJANCovington, Jones31 min
May 6, 9:34 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningJANCovington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence116 min
May 6, 9:34 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANJefferson Davis41 min
May 6, 9:42 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANFranklin, Lincoln63 min
May 6, 10:03 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningJANFranklin, Lawrence, Lincoln4 hr
May 6, 10:09 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningJANCovington, Jones4 hr
May 6, 10:19 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANLawrence, Lincoln56 min
May 6, 10:38 PM CDTTornado WarningJANJefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion67 min
May 6, 11:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANForrest, Lamar, Marion67 min
May 6, 11:38 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningJANCovington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence3 hr
May 6, 11:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANForrest18 min
May 7, 1:20 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANClarke, Jasper25 min
May 7, 3:18 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANCovington, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion42 min
May 7, 3:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningJANForrest, Jones, Lamar31 min
May 7, 3:44 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementJANForrest31 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.