As a cold front moved toward the region, storms developed in a very unstable airmass. These storms brought large hail and damaging winds to the ArkLaMiss region through the afternoon and evening hours.
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.
As a cold front moved toward the region, storms developed in a very unstable airmass. These storms brought large hail and damaging winds to the ArkLaMiss region through the afternoon and evening 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 Mar 27, 11:49 AM CST, 1 hour 16 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jackson MS 1249 PM CDT Mon Mar 27 2017 ...SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTED TODAY WITH HIGHER IMPACT SEVERE WEATHER EVENT POSSIBLE MID-LATE WEEK... .UPDATE... Updated for 18Z aviation discussion. && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF discussion: Numerous showers and thunderstorms have developed across the western half of the area late this morning and early this afternoon. These showers and storms are expected to intensify in a favorable severe weather environment with large hail possible in the strongest storms. Storms will move from the west to east through the remainder of the afternoon and into the early evening. VCTS, TSRA, and VCSH was updated accordingly at all TAF sites. Some showers could linger longer at GLH/GWO along a stalled frontal boundary this evening. Otherwise, low ceilings and possible fog development could result in IFR conditions after 9z/28 at most TAF sites, especially in the southeast. /TW/ && .DISCUSSION... Scattered severe storms are still on tap for this afternoon, especially across the northern half of the area. Mid morning water vapor imagery shows a mid/upper shortwave centered over SW Missouri extending back to the AR/LA border. Ahead of this system, very isolated shower activity was ongoing. 12z soundings indicated a pronounced cap around the 700-850 mb layer at SHV, which is likely representative of areas generally from JAN to the north and west. Meanwhile, there was less of a cap noted farther east. Mid level lapse rates were quite steep, on the order of 7.5-8 C. As further destabilization occurs through the day and the cap gradually erodes, the advancing shortwave will help kick off scattered convection, likely first across the Delta around midday then spreading eastward through the afternoon. Because the strongest upper forcing will remain north of the area, with less in the way of low level forcing via a front, a scattered cellular mode is favored over a line through much of the day. The steep mid level lapse rates portend an enhanced large hail potential, with golfball size hail possible and even a report or two of 2"+ hail not out of the realm of possibility. Secondarily, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes will also be possible. Generally speaking, the severe threat will be greater the farther north and east across the area, with the cap and timing (will the cap erode and storms develop before the axis of steep lapse rates shifts to the east?) being the main limiting factors in the west and lesser forcing being the main limiting factor farther south. Some minor adjustments were made to the severe graphic to reflect our latest thinking and the HWO will be updated to reflect this as well. Also, POPs were adjusted upward for much of the area for this afternoon. No other major changes are planned at this point. /DL/ Prior discussion below: Today through tonight: An active weather pattern is in store this afternoon as a strong disturbance will promote widespread convective activity throughout the area. At the surface this morning, a strong 1006mb surface low is moving through the central Plains, with an attendant cold front stretched down through central Texas. Water vapor imagery and regional radars show the widespread convection that developed yesterday afternoon-evening has slowly been losing the punch it had earlier as storms are no where near as vigorous as they progress into central Arkansas. Local radars show a large outflow boundary that extends through southern Arkansas, western Louisiana and into south- central and eastern Texas. This will be an important mechanism for thunderstorm initiation as we go into later this afternoon. For this afternoon, expect the surface low to eject northeast through Missouri and the mid Mississippi Valley, bringing the cold front slowly towards our area. As the trough and surface low eject northeast, an anticyclonic jet at 300mb will propagate into our area. The way this moves in we will be in the front left quadrant, which normally supports divergence and lift. However, with it being opposite and on the back side of the trough, this will actually lead to subsidence by 12Z this morning before the front right quadrant and lift move over between 18-00Z this afternoon. The environment is highly destabilized, some 1000-1500 MLCAPE, with the hi-res NSSL WRF showing up to 2000 J/kg SBCAPE. With steep 700-500mb lapse rates approaching 6-7 deg C under the fast moving disturbance, clockwise curving hodographs, 30+kts low-mid bulk shear and 200-300 m2/s2 SRH, expect vigorous severe thunderstorms, to be possible. SHIP values approach 1-2 and the global and hi- res models show large hail parameter values approaching 10-15+ areawide. The previously mentioned boundary should help convective development, even under some subsidence, mainly early to late afternoon. Even with the best forcing off to our north, this boundary and any convective development looks to be pretty vigorous. Looks as though the best timing for development should be just before noon-1pm in the Delta, with more vigorous thunderstorms 1-3pm in the Delta to Natchez Trace Corridor and closer to 3-5pm along and east of the I-55 corridor. The primary risk with any thunderstorms that develop, especially supercells, will be damaging winds and large hail, possibly up to golf ball size or larger. With southeast moving storms and clockwise curving hodographs, inflow should be efficient and a tornado can not be ruled out. Through collaboration, the SPC has outlined portions of our northern counties in the Highway 82 corridor in an enhanced risk with the slight risk extending down towards the Highway 20 corridor and marginal risk further south. This will be outlined in our HWO/graphics. Temperatures ahead of these storms will be warm and much above normal some 10-15 degrees. Some of these storms to linger into the overnight hours, with some of these more vigorous storms possibly lingering a few hours after 7pm or so before weakening. As the surface low ejects northeast, the cold front will slowly move into our area tonight. The front should move into the Delta just before midnight and only slowly move south towards I-20 by daybreak. Expect convection that lingers or any new development to remain tied to the cold front as rain and any storm chances will slowly lift north, mainly along and north of the I-20 corridor. Some patchy fog can't be ruled out in the southeast as moisture pools ahead of the boundary. Due to clouds and the cold front around, expect temperatures slightly cooler in the Delta but warmer in the low-mid 60s elsewhere. /DC/ Tuesday through Sunday: A potential severe weather event for the Wednesday night/Thursday period will be the main concern for the long term portion of the forecast. As we go from Tuesday through Wednesday, a strong and progressive upper level ridge will move across the ArkLaMiss bringing continued well above normal temperatures. A strong trough crossing the Southern Plains will approach the ArkLaMiss late Wednesday night and bring significant height falls and potentially widespread convection before daybreak to the Delta region. Given steep mid level lapse rates and strong deep layer shear, expect some storms to be severe with all modes possible. A split upper level jet rounding the base of the trough should help to enhance lift and potentially anchor a convective system over portions of the forecast area Thursday resulting in a more enhanced severe threat along with the potential for heavy rainfall. It would seem the more favorable location on the synoptic scale would be northwest portions of the area, but could imagine mesoscale influences playing a large role in convective evolution and this makes confidence in potential MCS location low. Another upper level ridge will progress across the region from Friday into the weekend bringing more above normal temperatures and generally dry weather. We should see the next strong trough approach Sunday bringing another chance for stormy weather. /EC/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Jackson 82 64 82 63 / 74 49 25 9 Meridian 82 63 82 61 / 69 47 26 9 Vicksburg 82 65 81 63 / 69 34 24 9 Hattiesburg 82 63 83 62 / 31 28 22 9 Natchez 82 65 82 64 / 62 16 23 8 Greenville 79 60 77 62 / 62 51 17 9 Greenwood 80 61 78 62 / 72 58 21 10 && .JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MS...None. LA...None. AR...None. && TW/DL/DC/EC
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Jackson MS 1153 AM CDT Mon Mar 27 2017 ARZ074-LAZ007-015-016-023>026-MSZ053>055-059>066-072>074-281700- Ashley-Morehouse-Richland-Madison LA-Franklin LA-Catahoula-Tensas- Concordia-Claiborne-Copiah-Simpson-Jefferson-Adams-Franklin MS- Lincoln-Lawrence-Jefferson Davis-Covington-Jones-Marion-Lamar- Forrest- 1153 AM CDT Mon Mar 27 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, southern portions of central Mississippi, and for Ashley County Arkansas. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Midday through this evening Isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible today from around midday through this evening. The primary risks will be hail up to the size of quarters and damaging wind gusts. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday A potent weather system will bring the potential for severe weather to the entire outlook area from late Wednesday night through Thursday. The primary severe weather concerns will be damaging wind gusts, large hail, and the possibility for tornadoes. Stay tuned for updates concerning this potential severe weather event. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.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 tonight and Wednesday night through Thursday. ARZ075-LAZ008-009-MSZ018-019-034>052-056>058-281700- Chicot-West Carroll-East Carroll-Bolivar-Sunflower-Washington- Humphreys-Holmes-Attala-Winston-Noxubee-Issaquena-Sharkey-Yazoo- Madison MS-Leake-Neshoba-Kemper-Warren-Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Newton- Lauderdale-Smith-Jasper-Clarke- 1153 AM CDT Mon Mar 27 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central Mississippi, extreme northeastern Louisiana, and Chicot County Arkansas. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Midday through this evening Severe thunderstorms are possible today from midday through this evening. The primary risks will be hail up to the size of golf balls and damaging wind gusts, although a tornado cannot be completely ruled out. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday A potent weather system will bring the potential for severe weather to the entire outlook area from late Wednesday night through Thursday. The primary severe weather concerns will be damaging wind gusts, large hail, and the possibility for tornadoes. Stay tuned for updates concerning this potential severe weather event. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.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 tonight and Wednesday night through Thursday. MSZ025>033-281700- Leflore-Grenada-Carroll-Montgomery-Webster-Clay-Lowndes-Choctaw- Oktibbeha- 1153 AM CDT Mon Mar 27 2017 This hazardous weather outlook is for northern portions of central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Enhanced TIMING...Mid-late afternoon through this evening Severe thunderstorms are expected today during the mid-late afternoon through this evening. The primary risks will be golf ball size hail, damaging wind gusts, and a tornado or two are possible. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday A potent weather system will bring the potential for severe weather to the entire outlook area from late Wednesday night through Thursday. The primary severe weather concerns will be damaging wind gusts, large hail, and the possibility for tornadoes. Stay tuned for updates concerning this potential severe weather event. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.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 tonight and Wednesday night through Thursday. DL && ...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. ...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/
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Jackson MS 122 PM CDT MON MAR 27 2017 MSZ040>042-047-271845- Sharkey MS-Warren MS-Yazoo MS-Issaquena MS- 122 PM CDT MON MAR 27 2017 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTH CENTRAL WARREN...CENTRAL YAZOO...EAST CENTRAL ISSAQUENA AND SOUTHEASTERN SHARKEY COUNTIES UNTIL 145 PM CDT... At 122 PM CDT, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm 7 miles east of Valley Park, moving northeast at 55 mph. Nickel size hail will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Tinsley around 140 PM CDT. Yazoo City and Little Yazoo around 145 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this storm include Eden and Satartia. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... High winds can bring down trees and large limbs resulting in serious injury or property damage. Exercise extreme caution when outdoors during such strong winds...and be especially aware of older trees. && LAT...LON 3268 9087 3300 9030 3277 9014 3252 9076 TIME...MOT...LOC 1822Z 240DEG 49KT 3265 9073 DB
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
151 PM CDT MON MAR 27 2017
MSZ038-039-045-271915-
Neshoba MS-Winston MS-Noxubee MS-
151 PM CDT MON MAR 27 2017
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WESTERN NOXUBEE...SOUTHERN
WINSTON AND NORTH CENTRAL NESHOBA COUNTIES UNTIL 215 PM CDT...
At 151 PM CDT, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm
near Stallo, or 10 miles north of Philadelphia, moving northeast at
30 mph.
Nickel size hail will be possible with this storm.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Stallo around 155 PM CDT.
Nanih Waiya around 210 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Noxapater.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
High winds can bring down trees and large limbs resulting in serious
injury or property damage. Exercise extreme caution when outdoors
during such strong winds...and be especially aware of older trees.
&&
LAT...LON 3284 8918 3296 8928 3329 8871 3328 8871
3305 8855
TIME...MOT...LOC 1851Z 235DEG 26KT 3292 8916
DBThe Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 116 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:03 UTC.
13 hail, 13 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A swath of hail fell across portions of Winston County, including half dollar size hail near the Nanih Waiya community.
A swath of hail fell across northern Rankin County. Up to quarter size hail fell from the River Oaks area in Flowood to the Bay Pointe Country Club area north-northeast of Brandon.
Multiple trees were blown down near Harrisville. Numerous trees were also blown down in the Braxton area, along with some powerlines.
Hail up to quarter size covered the ground at the Preston General Store.
A utility line was blown down along Woodrow Barnes Road.
Windows were blown out of the Morton High School baseball field concession stand.
Hail up to quarter size fell at the Dollar General in Lake.
Ping pong ball sized hail fell in the Lawrence area.
A tree was blown down, blocking Mississippi Highway 15 just north of Newton.
A tree fell onto utility equipment near the Shivers community.
Ping pong ball sized hail fell in the Bushtown community.
Quarter sized hail fell at John C Stennis Memorial Hospital.
A swath of damaging winds tracked across southern Warren County. Trees and powerlines were downed and some power poles were snapped along Wright Road, Jeff Davis Road, Gullet Road, Dogwood Road, Campbell Swamp Road and Hankinson Road. A tree also fell on a home on Hankinson Road.
A swath of damaging winds occurred across northern Claiborne County. Multiple trees were blown down along the Natchez Trace Parkway between Milepost 39 near Port Gibson in Claiborne County and Milepost 77 near Raymond in Hinds County. Trees were blown down and a pole barn was destroyed near Reagan Island.
Quarter sized hail fell around Heidelburg.
A swath of damaging winds occurred across western Hinds County. Multiple trees were blown down along the Natchez Trace Parkway between Milepost 39 near Port Gibson in Claiborne County and Milepost 77 near Raymond in Hinds County. Multiple trees and powerlines were blown down in the Utica area as well, including around Highway 27 and Old Port Gibson Road. As the storm continued to track east, it blew down trees in the Learned area and caused roof damage to a restaurant on Smith Drive/Port Gibson Street in Raymond. A tree also fell through the second story of a home on West Court Street in Raymond.
A utility pole was damaged along Daniel Lake Road near Richland and a utility line was downed along Horton Avenue in northern Hinds County. A tree was also blown down onto utility equipment off Madison Street in the Belhaven area.
A tree was blown down in Pearl.
A tree was blown down and a fence was knocked over in the Marblehead Subdivision.
A severe thunderstorm moved through Brandon, with damaging winds near 60-70mph. Trees were blown down on Highway 471, a tree fell across Woodbridge Road in the Crossgates subdivision, the radio antenna from Brandon Fire Station Number One was blown down, a small tree was blown down at Highpointe Apartments, and trees were blown onto powerlines on Dogwood Drive. A tree also fell onto two cars on Windsor Boulevard just south of Brandon. Also, just south of Brandon, trees were blown down onto utility equipment off West Jasper Street and Brenmar Street.
A tree was blown down onto a home.
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, March 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: 688987, 688988, 688989, 689593, 689592, 689595, 689594, 689597, 689596, 689598, 689599, 689600, 689601, 689602, 689668, 689603, 689604, 689615, 689629, 689607, 689631, 689655, 689657, 689658, 689665, 689666.