An intensifying surface low moved from the Southern Plains into the Great Lakes. Meanwhile the associated strong cold front swept across the Mid-South during the evening hours of January 29, 2013 into the early morning hours of January 30, 2013.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS MEG wrote it up.
An intensifying surface low moved from the Southern Plains into the Great Lakes. Meanwhile the associated strong cold front swept across the Mid-South during the evening hours of January 29, 2013 into the early morning hours of January 30, 2013. Strong winds aloft combined with an increasingly unstable airmass set the stage for severe weather across the region. A broken line of thunderstorms moved into Eastern Arkansas during the evening hours of January 29, 2013 and eventually formed a solid line of thunderstorms as it crossed the Mississippi River and moved into West Tennessee and North Mississippi during the overnight hours. There were numerous reports of damaging winds and flash flooding.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jan 29, 5:58 PM CST, 5 hours 17 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
558 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
.UPDATE...
UPDATED TO ADD 00Z AVIATION DISCUSSION.
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 349 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013/
DISCUSSION...
CURRENTLY...A COLD FRONT EXTENDS ACROSS EAST OKLAHOMA WITH A SOLID
LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS ALONG AND JUST AHEAD OF IT. OTHER
THUNDERSTORMS HAVE DEVELOPED ACROSS THE WESTERN HALF OF ARKANSAS.
CLOUDS HAVE BECOME MORE SCATTERED EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
OVER THE LAST FEW HOURS. SOUTHERLY WINDS HAVE INCREASED AND
TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 70 DEGREES AT MOST LOCATIONS.
TONIGHT...EXPECT THE COLD FRONT TO APPROACH THE WESTERN PART OF
OUR FORECAST AREA LATE THIS EVENING...MOVING THROUGH MOST OUR AREA
LATE TONIGHT AND CLEARING OUR EASTERN COUNTIES SHORTLY AFTER
DAYBREAK. THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE VERY LIKELY ALONG AND HEAD OF THE
FRONT TONIGHT WITH SOME STORMS SEVERE. MODELS STILL INDICATE
PLENTY OF INSTABILITY AND SHEAR WHICH WOULD FAVOR THE POTENTIAL FOR
DAMAGING WINDS...TORNADOES...AND HAIL. THE ONLY CAVEAT WHICH MIGHT
REDUCE THE RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER IS THE SURFACE LOW RIDING ALONG
THE FRONT TO OUR NORTHWEST IS NOT VERY STRONG AND THIS COULD
LIMIT THE SHEAR AND REDUCE THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT. WINDY
CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY AND THIS WILL SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF
THE WIND ADVISORY.
WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...A MORE POLAR-LIKE AIRMASS WILL DOMINATE
OUR WEATHER AS AN UPPER TROUGH BECOMES MORE ESTABLISHED OVER THE
REGION. A REINFORCING COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THURSDAY
EVENING PROVIDING A CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW OR FLURRIES OVER PARTS OF
THE AREA FOLLOWED BY COLDER WEATHER FRIDAY. THE WEEKEND WILL BE A
LITTLE WARMER WITH A DEVELOPING SOUTHERLY WIND ON THE BACK SIDE OF
A POLAR HIGH. THERE IS A SMALL CHANCE OF RAIN SATURDAY AHEAD OF A
WEAK COLD FRONT SATURDAY NIGHT.
MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...THE UPPER FLOW WILL BECOME MORE ZONAL. A
RETURN FLOW OF MOISTURE WILL DEVELOP MONDAY WHICH WILL PROVIDE MORE
CLOUDS AND A CHANCE OF RAIN. ANOTHER COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH
MONDAY NIGHT FOLLOWED BY HIGH PRESSURE AND DRIER WEATHER TUESDAY.
SWC
&&
.AVIATION...
00Z TAF CYCLE
VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DETERIORATE TO MVFR CONDITIONS TONIGHT
AS A STRONG COLD FRONT MOVES THROUGH THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
AND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOP ALONG AND AHEAD OF THE
FRONT. IFR CONDITIONS POSSIBLE WITHIN THUNDERSTORMS. BEST TIMING
FOR COVERAGE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MAINLY BETWEEN
30/04-06Z AT JBR...30/06-08Z AT MEM...30/07-09Z AT MKL...AND
30/09-11 AT TUP. THUNDERSTORMS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR
PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND POSSIBLY TORNADOES.
SOUTH WINDS BETWEEN 15 TO 20 KTS WITH GUSTS AVERAGING AROUND 30
KTS WILL VEER WEST THEN NORTHWEST WITH COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE. VFR
CONDITIONS ANTICIPATED TO RETURN BY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
CJC
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
MEM 54 54 31 53 / 100 10 0 0
MKL 56 57 28 50 / 100 30 0 0
JBR 50 50 27 50 / 100 10 0 0
TUP 58 62 31 55 / 100 40 0 0
&&
.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY FOR CLAY-CRAIGHEAD-
CRITTENDEN-CROSS-GREENE-LAWRENCE-LEE AR-MISSISSIPPI-
PHILLIPS-POINSETT-RANDOLPH-ST. FRANCIS.
MO...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY FOR DUNKLIN-PEMISCOT.
MS...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY FOR ALCORN-BENTON MS-
COAHOMA-DESOTO-LAFAYETTE-MARSHALL-PANOLA-QUITMAN-
TALLAHATCHIE-TATE-TIPPAH-TUNICA-YALOBUSHA.
WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY FOR CALHOUN-CHICKASAW-
ITAWAMBA-LEE MS-MONROE-PONTOTOC-PRENTISS-TISHOMINGO-UNION.
TN...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY FOR CARROLL-CHESTER-
CROCKETT-DECATUR-DYER-FAYETTE-GIBSON-HARDEMAN-HARDIN-
HAYWOOD-HENDERSON-HENRY-LAKE-LAUDERDALE-MADISON-MCNAIRY-
OBION-SHELBY-TIPTON-WEAKLEY.
&&HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 1100 AM CST TUE JAN 29 2013 ARZ008-009-017-018-026>028-035-036-048-049-058-MOZ113-115- MSZ001>017-020>024-TNZ001>004-019>021-048>055-088>092-301200- ALCORN-BENTON MS-CALHOUN-CARROLL-CHESTER-CHICKASAW-CLAY-COAHOMA- CRAIGHEAD-CRITTENDEN-CROCKETT-CROSS-DESOTO-DECATUR-DUNKLIN-DYER- FAYETTE-GIBSON-GREENE-HARDEMAN-HARDIN-HAYWOOD-HENDERSON-HENRY- ITAWAMBA-LAFAYETTE-LAKE-LAUDERDALE-LAWRENCE-LEE AR-LEE MS-MADISON- MARSHALL-MCNAIRY-MISSISSIPPI-MONROE-OBION-PANOLA-PEMISCOT- PHILLIPS-POINSETT-PONTOTOC-PRENTISS-QUITMAN-RANDOLPH-SHELBY- ST. FRANCIS-TALLAHATCHIE-TATE-TIPPAH-TIPTON-TISHOMINGO-TUNICA- UNION-WEAKLEY-YALOBUSHA- 1100 AM CST TUE JAN 29 2013 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EAST ARKANSAS... THE MISSOURI BOOTHEEL...NORTH MISSISSIPPI...AND WEST TENNESSEE. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT THERE IS A MODERATE RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER ACROSS THE ENTIRE MIDSOUTH. THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE FROM LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH MIDNIGHT WEST OF THE MISSSISSIPPI RIVER...FROM 8 PM TO 2 AM NEAR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER...AND FROM LATE EVENING THROUGH OVERNIGHT EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THE PRIMARY SEVERE THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND TORNADOES...WITH A SECONDARY THREAT FOR LARGE HAIL. A WIND ADVISORY IS ALSO IN EFFECT ACROSS THE MIDSOUTH THROUGH TONIGHT DUE TO STRONG WINDS. REFER TO THE LATEST WIND ADVISORY FOR DETAILS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED FROM LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TONIGHT. SWC
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
806 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
MSZ011-012-020-300230-
TALLAHATCHIE MS-QUITMAN MS-PANOLA MS-
806 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 830 PM CST FOR...
SOUTHWESTERN PANOLA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
SOUTHEASTERN QUITMAN COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
TALLAHATCHIE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
A STRONG THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING PEA SIZE HAIL OR LARGER AND WINDS AT
LEAST 40 MPH WAS LOCATED 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF WEBB AT 806 PM CST...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH.
PEOPLE IN PANOLA...QUITMAN AND TALLAHATCHIE COUNTIES SHOULD MONITOR
THIS STORM CLOSELY.
.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ADVISORY AREA.
&&
LAT...LON 3381 9046 3402 9045 3426 9030 3414 8992
3412 8993 3380 9029 3380 9045
TIME...MOT...LOC 0206Z 215DEG 47KT 3379 9048SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
809 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
ARZ008-009-017-018-026-MOZ113-300245-
CLAY AR-CRAIGHEAD AR-GREENE AR-LAWRENCE AR-RANDOLPH AR-DUNKLIN MO-
809 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 845 PM CST FOR...
CLAY COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
NORTHERN CRAIGHEAD COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
GREENE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
LAWRENCE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
RANDOLPH COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
DUNKLIN COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI...
A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING WINDS AT LEAST 40 MPH WAS
LOCATED FROM 9 MILES NORTH OF MAYNARD TO 4 MILES SOUTH OF LAKE
CHARLES STATE PARK AT 808 PM CST...MOVING EAST AT 70 MPH.
VERY HEAVY RAIN WILL OCCUR WITH THESE THUNDERSTORMS.
PEOPLE IN CLAY...CRAIGHEAD...DUNKLIN...GREENE...LAWRENCE AND RANDOLPH
COUNTIES...INCLUDING LOCATIONS NEAR BLACK ROCK...BONO...BROOKLAND...
CAMPBELL...CHALK BLUFF NATURAL AREA...CORNING...CROWLEYS RIDGE STATE
PARK...HOXIE...LAKE CHARLES STATE PARK...LAKE FRIERSON STATE PARK...
MALDEN...MARMADUKE...MONETTE...PARAGOULD...PIGGOTT...POCAHONTAS...
RECTOR AND WALNUT RIDGE...SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY.
.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ADVISORY AREA.
&&
LAT...LON 3662 8996 3654 8995 3600 9025 3600 9029
3589 9031 3589 9136 3611 9136 3625 9130
3625 9127 3633 9127 3650 9120 3650 9023
3664 9014
TIME...MOT...LOC 0208Z 270DEG 60KT 3655 9077 3601 9105SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1005 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
ARZ028-036-049-MSZ001-007-TNZ049-088-300430-
CRITTENDEN AR-LEE AR-MISSISSIPPI AR-TUNICA MS-DE SOTO MS-SHELBY TN-
TIPTON TN-
1005 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 1030 PM CST FOR...
EASTERN CRITTENDEN COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
NORTHEASTERN LEE COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
SOUTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
DESOTO COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
NORTHEASTERN TUNICA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...
SHELBY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
WESTERN TIPTON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING WINDS AT LEAST 40 MPH WAS
LOCATED FROM 12 MILES WEST OF JOINER TO 20 MILES WEST OF
ROBINSONVILLE AT 1005 PM CST...MOVING EAST AT 55 MPH.
PEOPLE IN CRITTENDEN...DESOTO...LEE...MISSISSIPPI...SHELBY...TIPTON
AND TUNICA COUNTIES...INCLUDING LOCATIONS NEAR BARTLETT...CORDOVA...
GERMANTOWN...HERNANDO...HORN LAKE...MARION...MEEMAN SHELBY FOREST
STATE PARK...MIDTOWN MEMPHIS...MILLINGTON...OLIVE BRANCH...
SOUTHAVEN...T O FULLER STATE PARK AND WEST MEMPHIS...SHOULD MONITOR
THIS STORM CLOSELY. THIS SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT ALSO INCLUDES
BRANDYWINE LAKE...CORONEE LAKE...HORN LAKE...LAKE MCKELLAR...ROBCO
LAKE...THE CHUTE AND WAPANOCCA LAKE.
&&
LAT...LON 3514 9029 3550 9022 3559 8966 3529 8969
3482 8983 3474 9051
TIME...MOT...LOC 0405Z 251DEG 50KT 3549 9029 3511 9041
3474 9058SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1022 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
ARZ028-TNZ019-048-050-051-300515-
MISSISSIPPI AR-CROCKETT TN-DYER TN-HAYWOOD TN-LAUDERDALE TN-
1022 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 1115 PM CST FOR...
EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS...
NORTHWESTERN CROCKETT COUNTY IN NORTHWEST TENNESSEE...
SOUTHERN DYER COUNTY IN NORTHWEST TENNESSEE...
NORTHWESTERN HAYWOOD COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
LAUDERDALE COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE...
A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING WINDS AT LEAST 40 MPH WAS
LOCATED FROM 15 MILES NORTH OF ASHPORT TO 4 MILES NORTHWEST OF FORT
PILLOW STATE PARK AT 1022 PM CST...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.
VERY HEAVY RAIN WILL OCCUR WITH THESE THUNDERSTORMS.
PEOPLE IN CROCKETT...DYER...HAYWOOD...LAUDERDALE AND MISSISSIPPI
COUNTIES...INCLUDING LOCATIONS NEAR FORT PILLOW STATE PARK...LUXORA
AND RIPLEY...SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY. THIS SIGNIFICANT
WEATHER ALERT ALSO INCLUDES CHISHOLM LAKE AND OPEN LAKE.
.A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ADVISORY AREA.
&&
LAT...LON 3564 8933 3564 8961 3565 8962 3563 8965
3564 8972 3563 8973 3565 8973 3563 8978
3563 8997 3596 8986 3596 8921
TIME...MOT...LOC 0422Z 267DEG 29KT 3599 8976 3568 8987PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1048 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0915 PM TSTM WND DMG 8 W HARRISBURG 35.56N 90.86W
01/29/2013 POINSETT AR EMERGENCY MNGR
DOWNED POWER LINES AND POLES. SOME ROOF DAMAGE.
0925 PM TSTM WND DMG 5 W JONESBORO 35.82N 90.78W
01/29/2013 CRAIGHEAD AR UTILITY COMPANY
DOWNED POWER LINES.
&&
TLSJRSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 1107 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013 ARZ058-MSZ007-008-010>012-300545- PHILLIPS AR-TUNICA MS-TATE MS-QUITMAN MS-PANOLA MS-COAHOMA MS- 1107 PM CST TUE JAN 29 2013 ...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 1145 PM CST FOR... EAST CENTRAL PHILLIPS COUNTY IN EASTERN ARKANSAS... NORTHERN COAHOMA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI... NORTHWESTERN PANOLA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI... NORTHERN QUITMAN COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI... WESTERN TATE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI... SOUTHERN TUNICA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI... A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING WINDS AT LEAST 40 MPH WAS LOCATED FROM 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF DUNDEE TO 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINGS AT 1108 PM CST...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. PEOPLE IN COAHOMA...PANOLA...PHILLIPS...QUITMAN...TATE AND TUNICA COUNTIES...INCLUDING LOCATIONS NEAR HELENA AND SENATOBIA...SHOULD MONITOR THIS STORM CLOSELY. THIS SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ALERT ALSO INCLUDES ARKABUTLA LAKE...BEAVERDAM LAKE...FLOWER LAKE AND TUNICA LAKE. .A TORNADO WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE ADVISORY AREA. && LAT...LON 3462 9059 3474 8985 3429 9006 3422 9075 TIME...MOT...LOC 0508Z 256DEG 35KT 3461 9050 3425 9065
The Memphis radar (KNQA), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:16 UTC.
9 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood, 1 strong wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Straight line winds knocked down trees and power lines in and around Tunica.
Straight line winds knocked down several trees damaging two homes and one car.
Straight line winds knocked a tree on to a house damaging the roof.
Straight line winds knocked down trees and power lines across Panola County. One home had minor damage near Sardis.
Straight line winds knocked a tree on to a house near Highway 4 and Camille Street in Senatobia. Several trees were knocked down on Clanton Road near the Barr community.
Heavy rain caused flash flooding in Horn Lake and Walls. Ten to fifteen homes near the Wills Way Circle and Highway 301 area were damaged due to flooding.
Straight line winds knocked down two trees on Lake Shore Drive southeast of Holly Springs.
Strong winds ahead of an approaching cold front knocked down trees on power lines starting a fire in the woods near Dorsey and a barn fire in East Fulton.
Straight line winds knocked down a few trees across Oxford.
Straight line winds knocked down numerous trees in the city of Pontotoc. Five homes suffered structural damage from fallen trees.
Straight line winds caused extensive structural damage to a few businesses on McCullough Boulevard in Tupelo. One shop had the entire front torn off.
A weak tornado touched down a couple miles south of Greenwood Springs on Grubb Springs Road where a few large tree branches were broken and a few shingles were torn off a house. The tornado tracked northeast uprooting numerous trees and damaging a couple of barns and outbuildings along Easter Valley Road. Trees were then uprooted along Wolf Road. The tornado then damaged the roofs of three houses and uprooted more trees along Pleasant Hills Road before crossing the state line into Alabama.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2013Every state in 2013This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Mississippi, 2013Warnings in Mississippi, January 2013
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 434066, 434067, 434085, 434087, 434242, 434241, 434244, 434246, 434283, 434502, 434505, 434815.