Severe Thunderstorm Warning 72, NWS Memphis, TN

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
623 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 622 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

- A Marginal and Slight Risk (level 1/5 and 2/5, respectively) for
  severe storms is in place until mid-evening. Hail and damaging
  winds are the primary concerns.

- Well above-normal temperatures will continue through Saturday.
  Friday will be the warmest with highs near 90 degrees.

- Cool and dry air will filter into the Mid-South on Sunday. Fire
  weather concerns will emerge at this time and persist into
  Monday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(This evening through next Wednesday)
Issued at 1244 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

As of 1230 PM, dissipating showers continue to move across the
Tennessee River. Behind this activity, clearing skies are evident
on satellite with a developing cu field over southern MO.
Efficient daytime heating and surface dewpoints in the low 60s
will favor elevated instability this afternoon. The latest HREF
places greater than 1200 J/kg of SBCAPE along and west of the MS
River. This, combined with elevated surface and midlevel lapse
rates, will translate to an environment conducive to rapid
convective development. Hail and damaging winds will be the
primary concerns with any storms that develop this afternoon and
evening. Given the strongly buoyant environment, hail stones may
reach 2" in diameter. The Storm Prediction Center has maintained
a 2% tornado outlook for this afternoon. However, forecast
soundings depict sub-optimal SRH and shear, thus rendering the
tornado threat near zero. Outside of the severe weather threat,
beneficial rainfall will accompany storms. Depending on where
storms set up, rainfall totals will vary widely. Areas impacted
directly by storms may see 1 - 2 inches of rain fall through this
evening. Elsewhere, only a half inch of rain is anticipated.
While this will not be a drought-buster, it will help alleviate a
bit of the recent dry spell.

Temperatures on Friday will soar into the upper 80s as a strong
ridge builds into the Mid-South. There is potential for several
climate sites to reach 90 degrees tomorrow. Should this occur, it
will beat the average first 90 degree day of the year by about a
month. Luckily, cooler temperatures are on the horizon as an
upper level trough and attendant cold front impact the region on
Saturday. Rain chances will increase Saturday morning as decaying
convection moves into the Mid-South. Environmental
destabilization will be limited by cloud cover through the
afternoon. A few strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out in
the afternoon, but the severe weather window will be brief as
most guidance depicts the front overtaking convection rather
quickly. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5" are anticipated with
this system.

Much cooler and drier air will filter into the Mid-South on
Sunday behind the aforementioned front. Elevated fire weather
danger will exist through Monday as relative humidity falls below
30 percent and dead fuel moisture reaches 10 percent. Surface
winds will remain less than 15 mph, negating the need for a Red
Flag Warning. Outside of fire weather concerns, Sunday and Monday
will feature near-normal temperatures with highs in the 60s and
70s. Long range guidance keeps the Mid-South in northwest flow
through midweek before upper level ridging returns in the
Wednesday / Thursday timeframe. A few showers may occur at this
time, but there remains no major signal for appreciable rainfall
through the middle of next week.

ANS

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 622 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the period. There
is a small window for showers and thunderstorms at MKL if
upstream convection begins to develop along outflow boundaries
nearby. Otherwise, no showers and thunderstorms are expected at
TAF sites through the remainder of the period as upper-level
ridging strengthens for Friday. South winds will become light
tonight but increase again on Friday with mixing with a few
occasional higher gusts, especially at MEM and JBR.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1244 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

Fire weather concerns return on Sunday as MinRH values drop below
30% and dead fuel moisture reaches 10%. This may necessitate a
Rangeland Fire Danger Statement through Monday. Increasing
humidity will be in place Tuesday, returning fire weather
concerns to minimal through the end of the period.

&&

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

PUBLIC FORECAST...ANS
AVIATION...CJC

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
636 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

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

0612 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     6 S Big Sandy           36.15N 88.08W
04/16/2026                   Benton             TN   Emergency Mngr

            Several trees and power lines down across
            Benton County.

&&

CMA

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
640 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

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

0631 PM     Hail             1 SW Piggott            36.37N 90.21W
04/16/2026  E1.00 Inch       Clay               AR   Broadcast Media

            Report of quarter size hail in SW Piggott.

&&

CMA

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
646 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

TNZ021-022-170000-
Carroll TN-Benton TN-
646 PM CDT Thu Apr 16 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT BENTON AND NORTHEASTERN CARROLL
COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM CDT...

At 646 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Camden, moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch 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...
Camden, New Johnsonville, Bruceton, Vale, Hollow Rock, Big Sandy,
I-40 Near The Tennessee River, and Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park.

This includes Interstate 40 in Tennessee between mile markers 128 and
134.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3613 8792 3605 8799 3600 8800 3597 8802
      3594 8800 3594 8793 3587 8794 3582 8797
      3581 8799 3605 8837 3615 8823 3614 8821
      3612 8821 3615 8818 3621 8814 3630 8801
      3625 8795 3622 8795 3616 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 2346Z 311DEG 29KT 3608 8801

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

AEH

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