A powerful spring storm system impacted much of the region on April 2nd. As this system evolved, a severe weather outbreak occurred with many tornadoes impacting portions of Louisiana and Mississippi.
Every event with a place to put it. 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.
A powerful spring storm system impacted much of the region on April 2nd. As this system evolved, a severe weather outbreak occurred with many tornadoes impacting portions of Louisiana and Mississippi. In addition, multiple other thunderstorms produced damaging wind gusts, large hail, and significant flash flooding during the afternoon and overnight hours.
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 2, 8:33 AM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
933 AM CDT Sun Apr 2 2017
...SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTED LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO MONDAY...
.UPDATE...
Updated for morning discussion.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Latest satellite imagery showed the storm system developing
strong storms in the Southern Plains. SPC has extended the
moderate risk of severe to around the ms river south of Ashley and
Chicot counties. The enhanced risk of severe weather has been
extended to toward our eastern counties, while the severe risk
remains unchanged in the east. Latest 12z morning soundings showed
strong shear and cape developing across the region from the west.
Pwats were also increase from the west with LCH at 1.8 inches. 2
inch pwats were sitting in the northwest gulf waiting to come over
the region for tonight. Latest CAM guidance shows severe storms
erupting across our western flank for late this afternoon then
spreading across the region for tonight. The primary risks will be
damaging winds, golfball sized hail, and tornadoes. A few strong
tornadoes will be possible across moderate and enhance region.
Looks like we will get alot of mesoscale processes for the
potential of some heavy rainfall tonight with training of storms
as the MCS crosses the region. So will hold on to the current
flash flood watch. Made a light downward adjustment to afternoon
highs per latest guidance. Highs will range from the middle 70s to
the lower 80s./17/
Prior discussion below:
Today and Tonight...Quite an active period of weather is currently
being forecast across the ArkLaMiss from late this afternoon into
Monday morning. A closed and strengthening mid/upper low currently
seen on satellite over South Central Texas, will eject northeast
across the Ozarks towards the Mid-Mississippi River Valley today
into Monday. This will cause a surface low to develop over North
Central Texas this afternoon, deepen, and likewise lift northeast
across the Ozarks towards the Mid-Mississippi River Valley through
Monday. Very deep moisture increasing over the forecast area and
plenty of lift associated with a couple of pieces of energy that'll
begin traverse the region late this afternoon, will result in
increasing chances for storms late today, and continuing overnight
into early Monday morning as the second wave of energy traverses the
forecast area.
Good signals remain in both the global and high-res models that
severe storms will be possible across much of the CWA as early as
late this afternoon. This potential will then continue overnight
into early Monday morning. This severe potential is supported by
sufficient instability and steep mid-level lapse rates over the CWA,
increasing deep wind shear (50-70 knots 0-6KM by late tonight),
quite favorable jet dynamics positioned near/over the region, and
the again aforementioned strong forcing that'll pivot through the
region during this time.
Despite being within 24 hours of this severe event, the overall
evolution of how this will all progress exactly comes with some
uncertainty. However, most high-res modes currently indicate that
this will all unfold in two waves. The first wave will prompt the
development of an MCS near the ArkLaTex this afternoon, which is
currently progged to race east northeast out of the ArkLaTex and
into the Delta region and Northwest Mississippi late this afternoon
and early evening. Some weakening of this complex is expected as it
progresses east northeast across my northern zones, but damaging
wind gusts will be the primary concern through the life of this
complex. Large hail and even a tornado will be possible as well.
As a cold pool boundary is laid out in the vicinity of, or just
north of the Interstate 20 corridor, the second more southern wave
is progged to initiate storms, some supercells, across Central
Louisiana this evening. These could progress, and/or also develop,
into southwest portions of the ArkLaMiss region by late evening.
It'll be across portions of East Central Louisiana and portions of
Southwest Mississippi where the best conglomeration of severe
weather parameters exists across the ArkLaMiss. It's also here that
a "Moderate Risk" for severe storms now exists for late this
afternoon into tonight. Across this "Moderate Risk" area, damaging
wind gusts of 60-75 mph, quarter to golf ball size hail, and
tornadoes will be possible. Some tornadoes could be strong.
As the night progresses, much of this is activity is expected to
congeal into a line of broken storms, although some supercell
development will remain possible (especially south of the I-20
corridor), as it approaches the Interstate 55 corridor after
midnight. Still, damaging wind gusts ranging 60-75 mph, quarter to
golf ball sized hail, and tornadoes will remain possible as it does
so. This will remain the case as this line shifts further east into
East Central and Southeast Louisiana around sunrise Monday morning.
Another hazard during this timeframe will be that of torrential
rainfall leading to localized flooding. All of this lies in the
mesoscale details, as the overall synoptic pattern is quite
progressive. With anomalous 2+ inch precipitable H2O values over
the region, and the before mentioned cold-pool boundary being laid
out west to east along to just north of the Interstate 20 corridor
later today into tonight ahead of the second wave of energy, storms
producing high rainfall rates could train across the same locales.
As a result, some rainfall amounts ranging from 2-4 inches could
fall across some locations in a short amount of time. A Flash Flood
Watch will be issued for a portion of the CWA beginning later this
afternoon as a result. /19/
Monday through Saturday: Ongoing MCS early Monday morning will be
moving into eastern MS with still some severe potential given
ambient shear and instability, but that window will be closing
toward mid morning. Heavy rainfall will also continue through mid
morning, but flooding threat will be limited due to progressive
nature of convection by this time.
The mid level system responsible for the inclement weather will
shear out rapidly to the northeast Monday night into Tuesday morning
with zonal flow in its wake. This will quickly be replaced by
southwest flow as next system deepens on its way out of the
Intermountain West Tuesday afternoon. Though low level flow will
become southerly in advance of this system, relatively light flow
will be slow to increase adequate moisture over the CWA for much of
a precip event. Ingredients look to come together better further
east. Nevertheless, a few warm advection showers will be possible
late Tuesday night and some scattered thunderstorms mainly in the
east Wednesday.
Despite the relative weakness of the mid week system, its attendant
cold front will make an impact on temperatures by late week. A
gradual cool down will result in maximum temps in the 60s and lower
70s Thursday and Friday with chilly overnight lows in the 40s and
50s. Temps will begin to rebound over the weekend./26/
&&
.AVIATION...
12Z TAF discussion:
VFR flight categories will prevail at all TAF through much of the
daytime period today as high clouds increase from southwest to
northeast across the region. Convection, associated with a strong
storm system approaching from the west, will begin to impede upon
the western half of the area (KGLH & KGWO) as early as between 22-
00Z today. Some of that convection could be severe, with severe
storms possible across the remainder of the area through the
overnight hours tonight into Monday morning as the storm system
pushes east through the region. Damaging wind gusts, large hail,
and tornados will be possible with severe storms from late this
afternoon into Monday morning. Winds today will become more south
southeasterly between 10-15 knots, with higher gusts, this
afternoon. /19/
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson 81 66 80 56 / 28 100 74 7
Meridian 83 65 77 57 / 11 81 100 12
Vicksburg 78 66 80 56 / 57 100 55 7
Hattiesburg 80 67 80 58 / 19 82 100 6
Natchez 79 67 80 58 / 59 100 46 6
Greenville 77 64 76 56 / 60 100 61 10
Greenwood 81 66 77 55 / 28 100 76 10
&&
.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...Flash Flood Watch from 3 PM CDT this afternoon through Monday
morning for MSZ040>044-047>050-053>056-059>065-072-073.
LA...Flash Flood Watch from 3 PM CDT this afternoon through Monday
morning for LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026.
AR...None.
&&
17Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Jackson MS 836 AM CDT Sun Apr 2 2017 ARZ074-075-MSZ034>036-031345- Ashley-Chicot-Washington-Humphreys-Holmes- 836 AM CDT Sun Apr 2 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, central Mississippi, and northwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Enhanced TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Today through Tonight Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, quarter to golf ball size hail and tornadoes are expected. A strong tornado can not be ruled out. Heavy rainfall will also create a limited potential for flash flooding. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .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 today through tonight. MSZ018-019-025>033-037>039-045-046-051-052-057-058-066-074-031345- Bolivar-Sunflower-Leflore-Grenada-Carroll-Montgomery-Webster-Clay- Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Attala-Winston-Noxubee-Neshoba-Kemper- Newton-Lauderdale-Jasper-Clarke-Jones-Forrest- 836 AM CDT Sun Apr 2 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central Mississippi, east central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, and southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Today through Tonight Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, quarter to golf ball size hail and a few tornadoes are possible. Heavy rainfall will also create a limited potential for flash flooding. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .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 today through tonight. LAZ007>009-015-016-025-MSZ040>044-047>050-053>056-059-061>065-072- 031345- Morehouse-West Carroll-East Carroll-Richland-Madison LA-Tensas- Issaquena-Sharkey-Yazoo-Madison MS-Leake-Warren-Hinds-Rankin- Scott-Claiborne-Copiah-Simpson-Smith-Jefferson-Franklin MS- Lincoln-Lawrence-Jefferson Davis-Covington-Marion- 836 AM CDT Sun Apr 2 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and west central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Enhanced TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Today through Tonight Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, quarter to golf ball size hail and tornadoes are expected. A strong tornado can not be ruled out. Heavy rainfall will also create an elevated potential for flash flooding. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .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 today through tonight. LAZ023-024-026-MSZ060-031345- Franklin LA-Catahoula-Concordia-Adams- 836 AM CDT Sun Apr 2 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Moderate TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Today through Tonight Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, quarter to golf ball size hail and tornadoes are expected. Strong tornadoes will be possible. Heavy rainfall will also create an elevated potential for flash flooding. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .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 today through tonight. MSZ073-031345- Lamar- 836 AM CDT Sun Apr 2 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Today through Tonight Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, quarter to golf ball size hail and a few tornadoes are possible. Heavy rainfall will also create an elevated potential for flash flooding. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .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 today through tonight. 21 && ...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. *FLOODING* Extreme...Confident in significant flooding. Significant...Significant flooding possible. Elevated...Confident in flooding. Limited...Flooding possible. ...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/ ...ADDITIONAL URLS FOR FLOODING ISSUES... Current Watches and Warnings... www.weather.gov/jan/safe_HeavyRain Observed Precipitation Images... www.weather.gov/jan/precipmaps River Forecast Center... www.weather.gov/lmrfc/ Significant River Flood Outlook... www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/nationalfloodoutlook/index.html Day 1 through 3 Excessive Rainfall... www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/excess_rain.shtml Excessive Rainfall Discussion... www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/qpferd.html Day 1 through 7 QPF... www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/qpf2.shtml QPF Discussion... www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/qpfpfd.html
The Ft Polk radar (KPOE), 163 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:31 UTC.
10 tornado, 5 flash flood, 3 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A swath of hail fell across western Richland Parish, with golfball size hail observed in Start.
A swath of hail fell across Morehouse Parish, including up to quarter size in Mer Rouge.
This tornado touched down just to the west in Caldwell Parish before crossing into western Franklin Parish. A tornadic debris signature (TDS) was noted from the KULM radar. The tornado was quite wide at this point, nearly 1200 yards or three-quarters of a mile. It crossed Highway 4, snapping numerous trees in the path and tearing tin off the roof of a home. The tornado continued north-northeast back into Caldwell Parish. Wooded area prevented further access to this region but damage was seen through the distance. The TDS was still noted from the KULM radar through this area. The tornado continued north-northeast, moving back into Richland Parish, crossing LR Hatton Road, before crossing into a wooded area and the Franklin-Richland Parish line. The tornado continued north-northeast over Maple Ridge Road, Sligo Road and Goldmine Road. Numerous large trees were snapped and uprooted all through this area. The tornado then crossed LA Highway 135, where a couple of trees were snapped, before lifting shortly after crossing the road. Maximum winds were 110 mph, and total path length was 13.23 miles.
Trees and power poles were blown down.
This tornado started in La Salle Parish and crossed over into Catahoula Parish near Grady Road where it snapped and uprooted an extensive amount of softwood and hardwood trees. This tornado also caused roof damage to a few homes in the area. This tornado continued northeast and caused some structural damage to a church, a home and a couple of other buildings in the Aimwell community. The tornado also flipped a mobile home, where the one injury occurred. This tornado also snapped and uprooted a numerous amount of trees in this area also. This tornado continued northeast through a logging area just west of Fire Tower Road, snapping numerous trees and also caused some damage to some hunting club homes. The tornado continued northeast along Spring Ridge Road and Catahoula Church Road, snapping more trees along the way. The tornado ended near the intersection of Catahoula Church Road and Highway 124, snapping a couple of more trees. Maximum winds were 115 mph, and total path length was 13.79 miles.
This tornado touched down just to the west in Caldwell Parish before crossing into western Franklin Parish. A tornadic debris signature (TDS) was noted from the KULM radar. The tornado was quite wide at this point, nearly 1200 yards or three-quarters of a mile. It crossed Highway 4, snapping numerous trees in the path and tearing tin off the roof of a home. The tornado continued north-northeast back into Caldwell Parish. Wooded area prevented further access to this region but damage was seen through the distance. The TDS was still noted from the KULM radar through this area. The tornado continued north-northeast, moving back into Richland Parish, crossing LR Hatton Road, before crossing into a wooded area and the Franklin-Richland Parish line. The tornado continued north-northeast over Maple Ridge Road, Sligo Road and Goldmine Road. Numerous large trees were snapped and uprooted all through this area. The tornado then crossed LA Highway 135, where a couple of trees were snapped, before lifting shortly after crossing the road. Maximum winds were 110 mph, and total path length was 13.23 miles.
This tornado touched down just to the west in Caldwell Parish before crossing into western Franklin Parish. A tornadic debris signature (TDS) was noted from the KULM radar. The tornado was quite wide at this point, nearly 1200 yards or three-quarters of a mile. It crossed Highway 4, snapping numerous trees in the path and tearing tin off the roof of a home. The tornado continued north-northeast back into Caldwell Parish. Wooded area prevented further access to this region but damage was seen through the distance. The TDS was still noted from the KULM radar through this area. The tornado continued north-northeast, moving back into Richland Parish, crossing LR Hatton Road, before crossing into a wooded area and the Franklin-Richland Parish line. The tornado continued north-northeast over Maple Ridge Road, Sligo Road and Goldmine Road. Numerous large trees were snapped and uprooted all through this area. The tornado then crossed LA Highway 135, where a couple of trees were snapped, before lifting shortly after crossing the road. Maximum winds were 110 mph, and total path length was 13.23 miles.
This tornado touched down along Parish Road 576 close to the intersection of Parish Road 135. Several trees were uprooted and snapped. At the intersection, a metal building was damaged and a cyclone fence was taken out. The tornado continued along Parish Road 576 and downed and snapped numerous trees. The tornado crossed Little Creek and then Parish Road 622 where it began to weaken. It then crossed Bill Taylor Road where a couple more trees were damaged and some minor roof damage occurred to a home and shed. The tornado dissipated at Middle Road where some limbs were broken. Max winds were estimated around 105 mph.
This tornado started off of Newlight Road in Richland Parish where it snapped a few large branches. The tornado continued north along Newlight Road where it continued to snap trees along the way. The tornado turned northeast towards Highway 425 where it snapped a power pole along with a few more trees. The tornado continued northeast across Sayre Lake Road snapping trees. This tornado continued northeast into Franklin Parish where it crossed Punchard Road and destroyed a mobile home and also snapped more trees. The tornado continued across the intersection of Punchard Road and LA Highway 132 where it took the shingles off of a mobile home. The tornado ended just north of LA Highway 132, snapping a couple of more trees. Max winds were 105 mph and the total path length was 4.77 miles.
This tornado started off of Newlight Road in Richland Parish where it snapped a few large branches. The tornado continued north along Newlight Road where it continued to snap trees along the way. The tornado turned northeast towards Highway 425 where it snapped a power pole along with a few more trees. The tornado continued northeast across Sayre Lake Road snapping trees. This tornado continued northeast into Franklin Parish, where it crossed Punchard Road and destroyed a mobile home and also snapped more trees. The tornado continued across the intersection of Punchard Road and LA Highway 132 where it took the shingles off of a mobile home. The tornado ended just north of LA Highway 132, snapping a couple of more trees. Max winds were 105 mph and the total path length was 4.77 miles.
The tornado began along Willie Hall Road, where it caused some uprooted trees and minor roof damage to a shed. The tornado continued northeast and reached its strongest and widest as it crossed Ellis Lane. Here it snapped several trees and caused some shingle damage to a couple of roofs. Also along this road is where it caused EF2 type damage to two homes. One was a home that was built on some blocks that was totally destroyed, as well as a horse trailer flipped. It was in this location where one of the injuries occurred to a woman in the home. Next door, a mobile home was tossed about 10 feet from its original location. A couple of power poles were also broken in this location. The tornado continued northeast and caused additional tree damage, with snapped hardwood trees. A home along Lishman Road sustained roof damage and a small trailer was tossed, as well as additional tree damage. As the tornado tracked across Louisiana Highway 4, it broke a couple of power poles. The tornado lifted along Louisiana 863. Maximum winds were 115 mph.
A few trees and power lines were blown down along with a covered car port heavily damaged.
This brief weak tornado touched down in the wildlife management area just off Big Lake Road. A few trees and large limbs were snapped. Flooded roads prevented further access to Sharky Road. A tornadic debris signature (TDS) was noted from the KULM radar as the tornado crossed Sharky Road and the path was continued to that point in southwest Madison Parish. Max winds were 80 mph, and total path length was 1.40 miles.
This brief weak tornado touched down in the wildlife management area just off Big Lake Road. A few trees and large limbs were snapped. Flooded roads prevented further access to Sharky Road. A tornadic debris signature (TDS) was noted from the KULM radar as the tornado crossed Sharky Road and the path was continued to that point in southwest Madison Parish. Max winds were 80 mph, and total path length was 1.40 miles.
Trees were blown down at the intersections of Highways 605 and 608, and at 605 and 65.
Multiple roads were flooded across the parish.
Multiple roads were flooded across the parish. Water entered or approached a few homes in Tallulah.
Multiple roads were flooded across the parish.
There was flash flooding across the parish.
There was flash flooding around St. Joseph with water over multiple streets.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Louisiana, 2017Warnings in Louisiana, 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: 680480, 690285, 698686, 680637, 684353, 692042, 684355, 680844, 680845, 699679, 680640, 699504, 680851, 692046, 680653, 680656, 680661, 680815, 680818, 680819.