A strong cold front produced a line of severe thunderstorms during the late evening hours of April 26th.
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 MEG wrote it up.
A strong cold front produced a line of severe thunderstorms during the late evening hours of April 26th.
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 Apr 26, 8:39 PM CST, 46 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Memphis TN 939 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 .DISCUSSION... A line of sub-severe thunderstorms from Jackson TN to Calhoun City MS continues to trek east. This line has been struggling for the last few hours. First cut off by a gust front that moved out ahead of the storms in NE AR earlier this evening and now hampered by diminishing instability as MLCAPES are now around 100 J/KG. The severe thunderstorm watch continues until 11 pm for parts of West Tennessee. A storm or two may become severe though most likely scenario are some gusty winds to around 40 mph with the line. There has been a good deal of moderate rain behind the line and this has started to diminish and that trend will continue as the line exits the area. Will continue to update and peel off counties from the watch. SJM && PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 315 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017/ Widespread showers and thunderstorms continue from the Arklatex area into southeast MO. This line of storms appears to be located along a pre-frontal trough ahead of a weak cold front that will move east across the Mid-South overnight. Instability is modest in the warm sector, with MLCAPE values on the order of 1000 J/kg with effective layer shear of 45-55 kts. However, a strong capping inversion over the area has prevented convection from developing downstream of the current convective activity. This cap will weaken this evening and, combined with strong frontal forcing, will aid in sustaining the QLCS as it moves across the Mississippi River before storms gradually weaken during the the mid/late evening hours as they continue east. A few embedded supercells will pose the most significant severe weather risk, with large hail and damaging winds being the primary hazards. The linear mode of this convection will limit the tornado potential, but the possibility still warrants mention. Average QPF amounts for tonight are near 1 inch across much of the Mid-South, but higher amounts will be possible in northeast AR where the deep-layer shear vector will be nearly parallel to the surface boundary, promoting strong, training cells. Rain will move east of the area late tonight, with generally dry weather anticipated Thursday and Thursday night across much of the CWA. Thunderstorms will be possible across portions of the Mid-South on Friday, mainly during the evening and overnight period. A surface low is progged to develop over MO, with a warm front extending east into the Tennessee Valley. Surface temperatures in the 80s will result in strong instability but a strong cap will limit the thunderstorm potential through the afternoon hours. However, a few storms could break through the cap, so low PoPs were continued. Rain chances increase Friday night as the cap weakens and storms develop along the warm front. Strong shear profiles may result in strong to severe thunderstorms Friday night. In addition, locally heavy rainfall will be possible, mainly north of I-40. Strong to severe storms remain in the forecast for the Mid-South for the weekend, especially Saturday night and Sunday. There may be a lull during the morning and early afternoon hours on Saturday, but a strong shortwave trough will approach the area and will help precondition the atmosphere for intense convection later in the day. Deep layer shear and instability will be impressive downstream of this upper-level cyclone, supporting a potential for all modes of severe weather. Again, heavy rainfall will be possible across the area. QPF amounts from 7 PM Friday to 7 PM Sunday are generally in the 2-5" range across the Mid-South, with higher amounts of 4-6" over northeast AR and the MO Bootheel. Of course, higher amounts will be possible in areas where the stronger storms train, but that will rely on mesoscale features that aren't yet apparent. Flash flooding will certainly be a concern over the weekend and a watch may be needed as early as tomorrow. In addition, some Mid-South rivers are likely to move into flood. Dry weather is anticipated early next week on Monday and Tuesday in the wake of the departing trough. Temperatures will take a hit as well behind the cold front. Rain chances return by the middle of next week. Johnson && .AVIATION... A line of thunderstorms just moving over the Mississippi River and will continue to move east tonight, otherwise VFR conditions will continue through the evening hours. Lower clouds are expected to move into the region overnight producing IFR ceilings. Clouds will lift Thursday morning with VFR conditions returning. Winds will be mainly from the south at 10 to 15 knots with higher gusts tonight with winds shifting to the west overnight at around 10 knots and continuing through much of Thursday. ARS && .MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. MO...None. MS...None. TN...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Memphis TN 801 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 ARZ008-009-017-018-026>028-035-036-048-049-058-MOZ113-115- MSZ001>017-020>024-TNZ001>004-019>022-048>055-088>092-280315- Alcorn-Benton MS-Benton TN-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- 801 PM CDT Wed Apr 26 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of East Arkansas... the Missouri Bootheel...North Mississippi...and West Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Tonight A few strong to severe storms are possible east of The Mississippi River this evening. Damaging winds and large hail are possible with any storm that becomes severe. In addition, localized heavy rainfall may result in flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday Additional severe thunderstorms are expected Friday night with an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms north of I-40. Severe weather will be possible across most of the Mid-South, but will be most likely north of Interstate 40. Additional severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are possible into the upcoming weekend. This heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding and river flooding as rainfall totals may reach 3-6 inches with localized higher amounts possible, especially over northeast Arkansas. Please continue to monitor the latest forecasts for updates regarding this severe weather potential into the upcoming weekend. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed this evening and again for Friday into the weekend in support of severe weather operations. SJM
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
716 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
TNZ002>004-020-021-050>052-270100-
Carroll TN-Weakley TN-Madison TN-Crockett TN-Henry TN-Obion TN-
Gibson TN-Haywood TN-
716 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 800 PM CDT
FOR...
Western Carroll County in western Tennessee...
Weakley County in western Tennessee...
North central Madison County in western Tennessee...
Crockett County in western Tennessee...
Western Henry County in western Tennessee...
Eastern Obion County in western Tennessee...
Gibson County in western Tennessee...
Northern Haywood County in western Tennessee...
At 716 PM CDT...strong thunderstorms were producing winds at least 40
mph was located along a line extending from 7 miles east of Fulton to
near Dyer to near Forked Deer. Movement was east at 70 mph.
${report2}
People in western Carroll...Weakley...north central Madison...
Crockett...western Henry...eastern Obion...Gibson and northern
Haywood Counties should monitor this storm closely.
LAT...LON 3623 8827 3578 8865 3566 8947 3568 8947
3571 8944 3608 8909 3650 8888 3650 8827
TIME...MOT...LOC 0016Z 257DEG 59KT 3653 8875 3609 8902 3573 8936PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
719 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0702 PM NON-TSTM WND GST 9 SE UNION CITY 36.33N 88.94W
04/26/2017 M70.00 MPH WEAKLEY TN TRAINED SPOTTER
WIND GUST OF 70 MPH WITH TREES DOWN NEAR HORNBBEAK AND
TROY...TENNESSEE.
&&
JEBSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
850 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
MSZ002>005-013>015-021>023-270230-
Lafayette MS-Tippah MS-Pontotoc MS-Marshall MS-Union MS-Benton MS-
Alcorn MS-Calhoun MS-Yalobusha MS-Chickasaw MS-
850 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 930 PM CDT
FOR...
Lafayette County in northwestern Mississippi...
Tippah County in northeastern Mississippi...
Pontotoc County in northeastern Mississippi...
Eastern Marshall County in northwestern Mississippi...
Union County in northeastern Mississippi...
Benton County in northeastern Mississippi...
Western Alcorn County in northeastern Mississippi...
Calhoun County in northeastern Mississippi...
Eastern Yalobusha County in northwestern Mississippi...
Western Chickasaw County in northeastern Mississippi...
At 850 PM CDT...a line of strong thunderstorms were producing pea
size hail or larger and winds at least 40 mph was located along a
line extending from Michigan City to 7 miles northeast of Grenada.
Movement was east at 35 mph.
Very heavy rain along with continuous cloud to ground lightning are
also possible with this thunderstorm.
People in Lafayette...Tippah...Pontotoc...eastern Marshall...Union...
Benton...western Alcorn...Calhoun...eastern Yalobusha and western
Chickasaw Counties should monitor this storm closely.
LAT...LON 3375 8951 3387 8951 3387 8977 3389 8977
3499 8933 3499 8866 3374 8915 3374 8919
3372 8919 3372 8932
TIME...MOT...LOC 0150Z 271DEG 28KT 3498 8925 3386 8971Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
853 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
TNZ050-052-053-089>091-270245-
Hardeman TN-Chester TN-Fayette TN-Madison TN-McNairy TN-Haywood TN-
853 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 945 PM CDT
FOR...
Hardeman County in western Tennessee...
Chester County in western Tennessee...
Eastern Fayette County in western Tennessee...
Southern Madison County in western Tennessee...
Western McNairy County in western Tennessee...
Southeastern Haywood County in western Tennessee...
At 852 PM CDT...a line of strong thunderstorms were producing pea
size hail or larger and winds at least 40 mph was located along a
line extending from near Mercer to near Canaan. Movement was east
at 40 mph.
Very heavy rain along with continuous cloud to ground lightning are
also possible with this thunderstorm.
People in Hardeman...Chester...eastern Fayette...southern Madison...
western McNairy and southeastern Haywood Counties should monitor this
storm closely.
LAT...LON 3500 8863 3499 8889 3500 8933 3550 8921
3554 8854
TIME...MOT...LOC 0152Z 274DEG 37KT 3548 8910 3500 8913Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
937 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
MSZ004-005-009-014>016-022-023-270330-
Tippah MS-Pontotoc MS-Union MS-Lee MS-Alcorn MS-Calhoun MS-
Prentiss MS-Chickasaw MS-
937 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 1030 PM CDT
FOR...
Tippah County in northeastern Mississippi...
Pontotoc County in northeastern Mississippi...
Union County in northeastern Mississippi...
Lee County in northeastern Mississippi...
Alcorn County in northeastern Mississippi...
Eastern Calhoun County in northeastern Mississippi...
Prentiss County in northeastern Mississippi...
Chickasaw County in northeastern Mississippi...
At 937 PM CDT...a line of strong thunderstorms were producing pea
size hail or larger and winds at least 40 mph was located along a
line extending from near Theo to 6 miles east of Slate Springs.
Movement was east at 40 mph.
Very heavy rain along with continuous cloud to ground lightning are
also possible with this thunderstorm.
People in Tippah...Pontotoc...Union...Lee...Alcorn...eastern
Calhoun...Prentiss and Chickasaw Counties should monitor this storm
closely.
LAT...LON 3416 8927 3416 8925 3498 8893 3499 8836
3477 8837 3468 8833 3446 8842 3446 8854
3417 8854 3409 8858 3409 8872 3381 8872
3381 8893 3375 8893 3374 8904 3372 8945
TIME...MOT...LOC 0237Z 267DEG 36KT 3497 8876 3375 8927Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
942 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
TNZ021-022-053>055-091-092-270345-
Carroll TN-Henderson TN-Chester TN-Benton TN-Decatur TN-McNairy TN-
Hardin TN-
942 PM CDT WED APR 26 2017
...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 1045 PM CDT
FOR...
Southeastern Carroll County in western Tennessee...
Henderson County in western Tennessee...
Chester County in western Tennessee...
Southern Benton County in western Tennessee...
Decatur County in western Tennessee...
McNairy County in western Tennessee...
Hardin County in western Tennessee...
At 942 PM CDT...a line of strong thunderstorms were producing pea
size hail or larger and winds at least 40 mph was located along a
line extending from 6 miles southwest of Huntingdon to near Big Hill
Pond State Park. Movement was east at 45 mph.
Very heavy rain along with continuous cloud to ground lightning are
also possible with this thunderstorm.
People in southeastern Carroll...Henderson...Chester...southern
Benton...Decatur...McNairy and Hardin Counties should monitor this
storm closely.
LAT...LON 3578 8798 3572 8803 3566 8802 3562 8804
3552 8797 3548 8799 3545 8804 3542 8803
3541 8797 3539 8798 3539 8803 3535 8801
3530 8802 3529 8798 3501 8799 3499 8878
3599 8850 3603 8800 3595 8802 3594 8793
TIME...MOT...LOC 0242Z 268DEG 39KT 3593 8846 3502 8864The Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 43 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:22 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees down in the community of Brewer.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Mississippi, 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: 692527.