Strong southerly winds were present on April 29th ahead of an approaching cold front. These winds were strong enough to bring down trees and cause other wind damage.
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 JAN wrote it up.
Strong southerly winds were present on April 29th ahead of an approaching cold front. These winds were strong enough to bring down trees and cause other wind damage. In addition, these strong winds brought plentiful moisture into the region, which combined with an upper level disturbance to bring a round of severe storms to the area. These storms produced mostly damaging winds.
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 Jackson, MS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 29, 11:31 AM CST, 1 hour 29 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1231 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017
...SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND...
.UPDATE...
Updated for 18Z aviation discussion
&&
.AVIATION...
18Z TAF discussion:
Strong southerly winds will be the main hazard today. Sustained
winds have already increased to over 20Kts at also every TAF site
with gusts of 30+ recorded at some. Winds will continue to
increase over the next few hours. TS will develop in the vicinity
of the western most sites this afternoon as a shortwave approach
the region from the south. CIGs will lower to MVFR levels tonight
as winds remain strong and gusty from the south. A line of storms
will begin to approach the region from the west late in the period
and TSRA will begin to prevail.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
At 10AM, temperatures have already eclipsed the 80 degree mark
throughout the ArkLaMiss coupled with strong southerly winds.
Sustained windspeeds of 20 mph with gusts near 30 have already
been observed at several sites around the region. These winds
will continue to increase over the next few hours. Changes were
made to the forecast to increase thunderstorm chances this
afternoon and evening due to convection, associated with a
shortwave, already firing along the Texas-Louisiana border. Well
initialized short term models such as the HRRR, portray this blob
of convective storms racing towards the region today before
entering NE Louisiana this afternoon, eventually crossing the MS
River late this afternoon and evening. An unstable atmosphere
will be in place by this afternoon with SBCAPE readings exceeding
2000 j/kg and 0-6km lapse rates greater than 6.5 C/km. This
unstable atmosphere coupled with deep layer sheer values
approaching 30kts could result in some severe thunderstorms. The
best chances for storms today will be in the western portions of
the area but can't count out a storm reaching as far east as the
Jackson Metro during the early evening. /jpm3/
Prior discussion below:
Today through tonight,
The main concerns for today will be the potential for strong and
gusty winds across the entire forecast area, and perhaps a few
severe storms over western portions of the area this afternoon.
An upper-level closed low spinning over the Four Corners region
this morning will swing into the Southern Plains by tonight. A
surface low will move from central Texas toward the KS/MO border
during this time as well, advancing a north-south oriented cold
front through central Louisiana by late tonight. In response to
the advancing low pressure system, the pressure gradient and low-
level height gradients will tighten across the region. We expect
this to result in strong winds across the ArkLaMiss by mid-morning
and lasting through the afternoon. Sustained southerly winds
around 25 to 30 mph during peak afternoon heating will be
accompanied by gusts of 35 to 40 mph. A few stronger gusts can't
be ruled out especially through the Delta where the gradient
should be strongest. Although upper- level forcing will be fairly
meager during the afternoon and most of the area should remain
capped, a few showers and thunderstorms may develop across mainly
western portions of the area today. A compact shortwave
disturbance was noted on water vapor satellite imagery off the
TX/LA coastline this morning. Various model guidance responds to
this disturbance by generating a cluster of thunderstorms by late
afternoon. High amounts of instability coupled with around 20 to
30 kts of deep layer shear suggest that any storms that do develop
could be strong to severe. The primary hazards would be hail and
damaging wind gusts. Convection could also help to mix down some
of the stronger winds from a few thousand feet off the surface.
Then attention turns toward the approaching cold front and the
thunderstorms which are expected to accompany it into our region
late tonight. Most of the heavy rain and severe weather potential
with these storms will be during the day on Sunday, but the line is
currently expected to move into northeast Louisiana and far
southeast Arkansas just before sunrise tomorrow. See below for more
details on this round of thunderstorms. /NF/
Sunday through next Friday night,
Severe weather/heavy rainfall are still anticipated Sunday into
Sunday evening, and potentially again during the middle of next
week.
For Sunday, NWP guidance continues to portray a consistent
scenario with an intense linear convective system expected to
move into Southeast Arkansas and Northeast Louisiana by daybreak,
and then east of the MS River by mid morning. However, uncertainty
exists regarding convective evolution along and east of the I-55
corridor as we go into the afternoon.
Expect the potential for severe weather (including damaging wind
gusts, hail, and perhaps a few tornadoes) with the first round of
convection in the morning given ML CAPE ~ 1000 j/kg and strong
low level shear, and the potential for flash flooding due to
rainfall rainfall rates > 2 inches per hour in what will be a
maxed out airmass in terms of climatological moisture values
(Precipitable water ~ 2.2 inches, H850 Td ~ 16C). From there, CAM
guidance suggests the initial storms will diminish as the QLCS
moves east of the I-55 corridor and into a less favorable
environment, but continued impressive moisture transport
associated with a 50+ kt low level jet and ~350K low level theta-e
ridge should combine with upstream instability/convergence to
support renewed convection ahead of the surface cold front later
in the afternoon. So expect a new convective system to potentially
form farther west as the initial system dissipates during the
afternoon. This newer system would have a similar environment to
work with, one that is supportive of severe weather and heavy
rainfall, as it moves through Central and into eastern MS.
In the graphics/HWO, we are adding some timing detail and
generally conveying the same impacts as previously depicted, but
we're not quite ready to issue a flash flood watch until some
inconsistencies associated with coordination can be ironed out.
Would also like to see a clearer depiction of the convective
evolution Sunday afternoon - the current signals do not inspire a
lot confidence in where locally heavier rainfall may occur.
After storms move east of the area Sunday night, expect a couple
of days of dry weather. But the flow will back quickly ahead of an
amplifying trough Wednesday resulting the rapid return of very
moist and unstable air. Various ensemble/deterministic global
models offer a range of QPF scenarios, and they all point to the
potential for heavy rainfall and severe weather, especially for
locations along/south of the I-20 corridor. With this event
several days away, will continue to focus on the near term threats
before advertising this system in the HWO/graphics. It looks for
now like the potential will end as we go beyond Thursday. /EC/
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson 89 73 78 54 / 19 19 99 45
Meridian 89 72 81 56 / 11 13 78 87
Vicksburg 89 72 74 54 / 32 46 100 15
Hattiesburg 87 72 81 57 / 21 12 81 80
Natchez 88 72 74 54 / 36 44 100 17
Greenville 89 72 73 53 / 39 72 100 12
Greenwood 89 72 76 53 / 24 31 100 25
&&
.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for MSZ018-019-025>066-
072>074.
Flash Flood Watch from late tonight through Sunday evening for
MSZ018-019-025>029-032-034>037-040>043-047>049-053>055-
059>063.
LA...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for LAZ007>009-015-016-
023>026.
Flash Flood Watch from late tonight through Sunday evening for
LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026.
AR...Wind Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for ARZ074-075.
Flash Flood Watch from late tonight through Sunday evening for
ARZ074-075.
&&
JPM3Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson MS 108 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017 ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ018-019-025-034-035-040- 041-047-053-059-060-301815- Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-West Carroll-East Carroll-Richland- Madison LA-Franklin LA-Catahoula-Tensas-Concordia-Bolivar- Sunflower-Leflore-Washington-Humphreys-Issaquena-Sharkey-Warren- Claiborne-Jefferson-Adams- 108 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, northwest Mississippi, southwest Mississippi, and west central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...remainder of today through Tonight NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS THREAT...Elevated TIMING...remainder of today Strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing hail and damaging winds will be possible this afternoon and evening. Strong and gusty winds will develop across the area today, with the strongest winds expected through northeast Louisiana, far southeast Arkansas, and the Delta region of Mississippi where gusts from 40 to 45 mph will be possible. A wind advisory is in effect for the entire area. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A line of thunderstorms bringing torrential rainfall and severe weather is expected to move through the region on Sunday. Areas of flooding are likely due to the potential for rainfall of 2 to 3 inches over a relatively short period of time. Some areas could see as much as 4 to 6 inches of rain. Hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes will also be possible with the thunderstorms. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image4.png) .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and emergency management personnel in support of severe weather operations may be needed for portions of the region rest of today through Sunday. MSZ029>033-037>039-044>046-050>052-056>058-064>066-072>074-301815- Webster-Clay-Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Attala-Winston-Noxubee- Leake-Neshoba-Kemper-Scott-Newton-Lauderdale-Smith-Jasper-Clarke- Jefferson Davis-Covington-Jones-Marion-Lamar-Forrest- 108 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central Mississippi, east central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, northeast Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS THREAT...Elevated TIMING...remainder of today Strong and gusty winds will develop across the area today, with wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph possible. A wind advisory is in effect for the entire area. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A line of thunderstorms bringing torrential rainfall and severe weather is expected to move through the region on Sunday. Areas of flooding are likely due to the potential for rainfall of 2 to 3 inches over a relatively short period of time. Some areas could see as much as 4 to 6 inches of rain. Hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes will also be possible with the thunderstorms. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image4.png) .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and emergency management personnel in support of severe weather operations may be needed for portions of the region Sunday through Sunday night. MSZ026>028-036-042-043-048-049-054-055-061>063-301815- Grenada-Carroll-Montgomery-Holmes-Yazoo-Madison MS-Hinds-Rankin- Copiah-Simpson-Franklin MS-Lincoln-Lawrence- 108 PM CDT Sat Apr 29 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...remainder of today through Tonight NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS THREAT...Elevated TIMING...remainder of today Strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing hail and damaging winds will be possible this afternoon and evening. Strong and gusty winds will develop across the area today, with the strongest winds expected through northeast Louisiana, far southeast Arkansas, and the Delta region of Mississippi where gusts from 40 to 45 mph will be possible. A wind advisory is in effect for the entire area. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday A line of thunderstorms bringing torrential rainfall and severe weather is expected to move through the region on Sunday. Areas of flooding are likely due to the potential for rainfall of 2 to 3 inches over a relatively short period of time. Some areas could see as much as 4 to 6 inches of rain. Hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes will also be possible with the thunderstorms. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image4.png) .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and emergency management personnel in support of severe weather operations may be needed for portions of the region rest of today through Sunday night. 3 && ...HAZARD LEGEND... *SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS* High...Significant severe thunderstorms are expected. Moderate...Severe storms expected with significant severe weather possible. Enhanced...Severe storms expected. Slight...Severe storms possible. Marginal...Isolated severe storms possible. *NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS* Extreme...Sustained winds 50 mph or greater or wind gusts 65 mph or greater. Significant...Sustained winds 40-49 mph or wind gusts 58-64 mph. Elevated...Sustained winds 30-39 mph or wind gusts 45-57 mph. Limited...Sustained winds 20-29 mph or wind gusts 30 to 44 mph. ...USEFUL WEATHER WEB PAGES (URLS)... NWS JAN Home page... www.weather.gov/jan Stay Aware, Stay Safe NWS JAN Briefing Page... www.weather.gov/jan/safe Latest Weather Briefing... www.weather.gov/jan/weather_briefing Find NWS JAN on Facebook... www.facebook.com/NWSJacksonMS Follow NWS JAN on Twitter... @NWSJacksonMS Follow NWS JAN on Youtube... www.youtube.com/user/NWSJacksonMiss ...ADDITIONAL URLS FOR SEVERE WEATHER ISSUES... Storm Prediction Center (SPC)... www.spc.noaa.gov/ Meso Analysis... www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/Day 1 through 3 Outlooks... www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/ Storm Reports... www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/
The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 164 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:36 UTC.
6 thunderstorm wind, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees were blown down along Highway 165 from gradient winds.
Multiple trees were blown down in Crossett and North Crossett.
Trees were blown down in Hamburg, including one tree that was down down on a house on Main Street.
A few trees were blown down in Wilmot.
Trees were blown down and power poles were broken in Dermott.
Powerlines were blown down in Portland.
Trees were blown down along Ashley Road 2 near the Arkansas/Louisiana state line and Highway 133.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, April 2017
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: 697094, 697086, 697087, 697089, 697091, 697092, 697093.