A few severe thunderstorms developed on the 22nd of January, with one of them producing an EF-1 tornado in Covington and Jones County.
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 few severe thunderstorms developed on the 22nd of January, with one of them producing an EF-1 tornado in Covington and Jones County.
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 Jan 22, 5:49 AM CST, 1 hour 48 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jackson MS 549 AM CST Mon Jan 22 2018 .UPDATE... Updated for 12Z aviation discussion && .AVIATION... 12Z TAF discussion: MVFR to IFR flight categories are prevailing across the region as low clouds have built in. A swath of showers and thunderstorms continues to push east into the area and will affect all TAF sites through the remainder of the morning into early afternoon. These will bring reduced vis and ceilings to each site. GWO/HKS/JAN will be affect from 12Z through 15Z, GTR/MEI/HBG will be affected generally from 15Z through 19Z. Clearing will then occur from west to east with all sites returning to VFR by late afternoon. Winds will be out of the south initially, switching to the southwest and then west. Speeds will be around 10kts with some gusts to near 20kts possible outside of thunderstorms. Gusts to near 30kts possible in thunderstorms. /28/ && .DISCUSSION... Today and tonight... Showers and some thunderstorms are moving into the western portion of the forecast area early this morning. As anticipated, much of this activity has lost its severity as it moved across Louisiana and into the western portions of my area. This is due to a lesser amount of instability in place across the region. Water vapor imagery clearly shows the closed low spinning across central Kansas with the surface low across the confluence of Missouri/Iowa/Kansas/Nebraska. A cold front in association with this low is located across western Arkansas down across the ArkLaTex region and into the Texas Hill Country. Ahead of this, as noted, were the showers and storms moving into the eastern portions of Louisiana and Arkansas. For today, this line of showers and storms will continue to push east into and through the forecast area. Model guidance, especially hi-res guidance, continues to show that this activity will remain sub-severe as it moves through. Much of the hi-res CAM guidance doesn't show much of an impressive line moving through east of I-55. Given the time of day this will be moving through across western portions of the area, expect that much of the activity will remain just in the form of sub-severe showers and some thunderstorms. Global models continue to indicate that the better instability will occur across the far eastern portions of my forecast area and beyond, with nearing 1000 J/kg of MUCAPE and the better influx of higher dewpoints. However, it is not completely out of the question that as the line nears the eastern border of my CWA, there could be a few strong to isolated severe storms given the fact that there is ample wind shear available(with deep layer shear depicted to be around 50kts and lower level shear around 20-30kts). Will make adjustments to the current marginal risk area in the HWO and graphics. Showers and storms should be exiting the east through early afternoon with clearing skies to follow. Highs today should reach into the the lower 60s in the Delta to the lower 70s in the Pine Belt. As the upper system starts to pull off to the east, high pressure at the surface will move in this evening. Overnight lows will drop into the upper 30s to around 40. /28/ Tuesday through next Sunday: Expect dry conditions during the mid to late week along with seasonal temperatures as zonal flow aloft helps to ensure there are no temperature extremes. Strong surface high pressure and dry air will make for sunny days and clear nights that will allow lows to fall below freezing, especially Wednesday night when the surface high will be centered over the forecast area helping to create ideal nocturnal cooling conditions. Global models are in good agreement on the passage of a significant polar stream shortwave trough this coming weekend. While rain will almost surely accompany the frontal passage over the ArkLaMiss region, a subtropical stream wave moving across the Gulf of Mexico complicates the QPF pattern as it supports heavy convective rainfall off the central Gulf coast. Such a convective complex would tend to intercept better moisture/instability before it can interact with the primary front, so will continue to leave out the mention of thunder in the explicit forecast. It looks like the front should pass through the region Saturday with seasonably cool temperatures and dry weather to follow for Sunday. /EC/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Jackson 71 38 58 33 / 96 3 0 0 Meridian 74 39 57 31 / 82 7 0 0 Vicksburg 71 38 59 32 / 88 2 0 0 Hattiesburg 74 40 60 34 / 79 4 0 0 Natchez 69 39 58 33 / 84 2 0 0 Greenville 66 36 54 32 / 86 2 0 0 Greenwood 68 36 54 30 / 92 3 0 0 && .JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MS...None. LA...None. AR...None. && 28
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson MS 452 AM CST Mon Jan 22 2018 ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ018-019-025>045-047>050- 053>056-059>064-231100- Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-West Carroll-East Carroll-Richland- Madison LA-Franklin LA-Catahoula-Tensas-Concordia-Bolivar- Sunflower-Leflore-Grenada-Carroll-Montgomery-Webster-Clay-Lowndes- Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Washington-Humphreys-Holmes-Attala-Winston- Noxubee-Issaquena-Sharkey-Yazoo-Madison MS-Leake-Neshoba-Warren- Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Claiborne-Copiah-Simpson-Smith-Jefferson-Adams- Franklin MS-Lincoln-Lawrence-Jefferson Davis- 452 AM CST Mon Jan 22 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday 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 is not expected through next Sunday. MSZ046-051-052-057-058-065-066-072>074-231100- Kemper-Newton-Lauderdale-Jasper-Clarke-Covington-Jones-Marion- Lamar-Forrest- 452 AM CST Mon Jan 22 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of east central Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Today Isolated strong to severe storms will be possible during the late morning to early afternoon. Damaging winds will be the main threat for any stronger storm. (www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday 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. 28 && ...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
559 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
MSZ027-035-036-042-221300-
Carroll MS-Humphreys MS-Yazoo MS-Holmes MS-
559 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT HOLMES...CENTRAL
CARROLL... NORTHEASTERN YAZOO AND SOUTHEASTERN HUMPHREYS COUNTIES
UNTIL 700 AM CST...
At 558 AM CST, Meteorologists were tracking strong thunderstorms
along a line extending from 7 miles east of Swiftown to Yazoo City.
Movement was northeast at 35 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with these storms.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Seven Pines around 620 AM CST.
Black Hawk, Coxburg and Tolarville around 625 AM CST.
Ebenezer around 630 AM CST.
Brozville and Coila around 635 AM CST.
Franklin and Lexington around 645 AM CST.
Bowling Green around 655 AM CST.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Eden, Cruger and
Carrollton.
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 3353 8979 3291 8995 3284 9047 3329 9035
3331 9029 3335 9023 3333 9018 3338 9017
3358 8979
TIME...MOT...LOC 1158Z 242DEG 32KT 3328 9031 3288 9042
ECSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Jackson MS 637 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018 MSZ043-048-049-221330- Hinds MS-Rankin MS-Madison MS- 637 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTH CENTRAL RANKIN... NORTHEASTERN HINDS AND SOUTHERN MADISON COUNTIES UNTIL 730 AM CST... At 637 AM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm over Bolton, or near Clinton, moving northeast at 40 mph. Winds of 40-50 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Clinton and Brownsville around 645 AM CST. Pocahontas around 655 AM CST. Flora around 700 AM CST. Madison, Ridgeland and Annandale around 705 AM CST. Gluckstadt around 710 AM CST. Canton around 715 AM CST. Sharon around 730 AM CST. 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 3225 9037 3247 9051 3277 8996 3256 8978 TIME...MOT...LOC 1237Z 236DEG 37KT 3234 9045 TW
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
642 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
MSZ048-053-054-221315-
Copiah MS-Hinds MS-Claiborne MS-
642 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN CLAIBORNE...
SOUTHWESTERN HINDS AND NORTHWESTERN COPIAH COUNTIES UNTIL 715 AM
CST...
At 641 AM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm
over Carpenter, or 20 miles west of Crystal Springs, moving east at
45 mph.
Winds of 40-50 mph will be possible with this storm.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Utica around 650 AM CST.
Dry Grove around 705 AM CST.
Raymond around 710 AM CST.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Learned.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3212 9087 3213 9085 3214 9084 3214 9082
3215 9081 3216 9077 3215 9077 3217 9075
3226 9041 3200 9032 3188 9080
TIME...MOT...LOC 1241Z 251DEG 41KT 3205 9070
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
708 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
MSZ048-049-221400-
Hinds MS-Rankin MS-
708 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL RANKIN AND SOUTHEASTERN
HINDS COUNTIES UNTIL 800 AM CST...
At 707 AM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm
near Dry Grove, or near Byram, moving northeast at 50 mph.
Winds of 40-50 mph will be possible with this storm.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Jackson and Byram around 715 AM CST.
Richland and Monterey around 725 AM CST.
Pearl and Flowood around 730 AM CST.
Brandon around 735 AM CST.
Fannin around 745 AM CST.
Goshen Springs around 750 AM CST.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3229 9051 3240 9020 3240 9007 3244 9007
3244 9005 3246 9003 3251 8989 3222 8978
3205 9043
TIME...MOT...LOC 1307Z 242DEG 43KT 3218 9038
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
731 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
MSZ054-055-062-063-221415-
Lawrence MS-Copiah MS-Lincoln MS-Simpson MS-
731 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN SIMPSON...
LINCOLN...NORTHERN LAWRENCE AND SOUTHEASTERN COPIAH COUNTIES UNTIL
815 AM CST...
At 730 AM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm
over Vaughn, or near Brookhaven, moving east at 45 mph.
Winds of 40-50 mph will be possible with this storm.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Brookhaven around 740 AM CST.
Wesson around 745 AM CST.
Sontag around 755 AM CST.
Oma and Wanilla around 800 AM CST.
Rockport around 805 AM CST.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Beauregard and Silver
Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
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 3157 9064 3161 9063 3161 9065 3165 9066
3187 9006 3165 8997 3156 8998 3139 9058
TIME...MOT...LOC 1330Z 249DEG 41KT 3157 9053
TWSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
737 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
MSZ037-043>045-221415-
Neshoba MS-Attala MS-Leake MS-Madison MS-
737 AM CST MON JAN 22 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT LEAKE...SOUTHEASTERN ATTALA...
NORTHWESTERN NESHOBA AND NORTHEASTERN MADISON COUNTIES UNTIL 815 AM
CST...
At 737 AM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm
near Camden, or 13 miles west of Carthage, moving northeast at 45
mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Thomastown around 750 AM CST.
Carthage around 755 AM CST.
Singleton around 800 AM CST.
Renfroe and Smyrna around 805 AM CST.
Zama around 815 AM CST.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Redwater.
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 3280 8919 3259 8966 3285 8980 3307 8939
3297 8932 3293 8932 3293 8929
TIME...MOT...LOC 1337Z 241DEG 39KT 3274 8976
TWThe Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:37 UTC.
2 tornado, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Barn destroyed, roof damaged and multiple trees were downed.
An EF-1 tornado touched down in northeast Covington County along Highway 532 causing minor tree damage as it tracked northeast towards Gilmore Road. As the tornado continued its northeast track, it became its strongest as it approached Hwy 37 near J. Nelson Drive and Jewel Owens Lane. At this location the tornado uprooted and snapped several large trees and damaged a few structures, including homes. The tornado continued into northwest Jones County where a double wide mobile home was pushed off of its foundation and 3 sheds and a barn was destroyed on Carter Dees Road. An occupant of the mobile home suffered a minor injury. The tornado lifted just after this damage occurred. Total path length was 7.51 miles and estimated max wind speed was 100 mph.
An EF-1 tornado touched down in northeast Covington County along Highway 532 causing minor tree damage as it tracked northeast towards Gilmore Road. As the tornado continued its northeast track, it became its strongest as it approached Hwy 37 near J. Nelson Drive and Jewel Owens Lane. At this location the tornado uprooted and snapped several large trees and damaged a few structures, including homes. The tornado continued into northwest Jones County where a double wide mobile home was pushed off of its foundation and 3 sheds and a barn was destroyed on Carter Dees Road. An occupant of the mobile home suffered a minor injury. The tornado lifted just after this damage occurred. Total path length was 7.51 miles and estimated max wind speed was 100 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Mississippi, 2018Warnings in Mississippi, January 2018
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: 735744, 735741, 735742.