A line of thunderstorms moved through the region during the evening of March 28. These storms brought tornadoes as well as large hail and straight line winds to portions of central Mississippi in association with a cold front passing through the region.
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 line of thunderstorms moved through the region during the evening of March 28. These storms brought tornadoes as well as large hail and straight line winds to portions of central Mississippi in association with a cold front passing through the region.
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 28, 3:03 PM CST, 2 hours 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jackson MS
403 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018
...FLASH FLOODING AND SEVERE STORMS EXPECTED THIS EVENING INTO
THURSDAY...
.DISCUSSION...
This Evening through Thursday:
Most of the forecast through tomorrow was adjusted and sent out
around Noon today, and no major changes have been made for those
periods. Focus remains primarily on the flash flood potential
through Thursday, but ongoing severe weather moving into our
forecast area will continue into the evening. The QPF has been
adjusted per latest trends and short-term guidance. A swath of 3 or
more inches with locally higher amounts is expected to fall across
areas north and west of the Natchez Trace corridor - so much of
central and northeast LA, far southeast AR, and in MS from Natchez
to Starkville and to the west. Amounts to the south and east of the
Natchez Trace are more likely to be in the 1 to 2 inch range. It
should be noted that QPF represent a most likely, or "average"
expected value for an area, but higher totals could occur if/where
training of heavier storms happens over the same area. There is a
Significant threat area for flash flooding in portions of northeast
Louisiana and far western Mississippi centered around a line from
the Winnsboro/Rayville, LA areas east toward Vicksburg, MS and
nearby (see HWO/graphics for exact area). There will be a greater
likelihood for locations in the SIGNIFICANT flash flood threat area
to see impacts such as flooded homes and roadways. Rainfall amounts
of up to 4 to 7 inches in those areas will also increase the
likelihood of flooding along creeks, bayous, and rivers in the area.
An ELEVATED threat for flash flooding will continue for the
remaining areas north and west of the Natchez Trace, where 3 to 5
inches of rain can be expected. Flash flooding can be expected
across this area. A LIMITED threat for flash flooding continues for
areas south and east of the Trace, where heavier storms will be
moving more quickly and rain totals of 1 to 2 inches are more
likely. Flash flooding is possible in the Limited area, especially
with any heavier downpours.
There is also a SLIGHT risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon
into early this evening - for central and northeast Louisiana
extending into the ArkLaMiss Delta. Hi-res guidance suggest a QLCS
wind and tornado threat to move into our area as storms currently
over northern Louisiana move northeast through this evening. Low-
level shear vectors are oriented from southwest to northeast, so any
bowing segment moving northeast will have the possibility of
producing damaging wind gusts or a few tornadoes. Quieter weather
expected by tomorrow afternoon after a cold front clears the area
and brings an end to rain chances. /NF/
Thursday night through early next week:
The front should be mostly through the CWA by Thursday evening with
just some lingering shower chances in eastern MS by that time.
Cooler and drier air will then begin filtering into the area
overnight. Temps will fall into the upper 40s in the northern third
of the CWA with the rest of the area falling into the lower 50s. As
the upper trough continues its shift east on Friday, a surface high
will migrate over the mid-Mississippi Valley. This will keep temps
slightly below normal through Saturday morning (normal being highs
in the lower 70s and lows in the upper 40s). The high will continue
its shift east and surface flow will return to a southerly direction
on Saturday. This will help temps rebound to slightly above normal
then on Saturday.
On Sunday, an elongated frontal boundary extending from a
trough/upper low over the Great Lakes will slide south near the
northern periphery of the CWA. How far south this boundary will
slide varies on which model you look at. Overall, only a slight
chance of showers will be possible for the northern counties of the
CWA on Sunday. For the rest of the area, Sunday looks to be pretty
pleasant with just above normal temps and partly cloudy skies. The
boundary remains hung up in northern Mississippi through most of
Monday. Therefore, slight rain chances will continue for areas north
of Hwy 82.
Come Tuesday/Wednesday, another system will move through the CWA. At
this time, the global models don't agree on the whole evolution of
it but do agree that there will be a system with rainfall and
possibly some storms in that timeframe. Whether its an upper
shortwave that pushes east through the CWA or an elongated frontal
boundary, it seems to be pretty progressive and move through the
area quickly. Will continue to keep an eye on this system as we get
closer in time. /10/
&&
.AVIATION...
18Z TAF discussion:
VFR conditions to begin the period at all TAF sites, with
increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms through around
00Z to 06Z Thursday as a front enters the area and lasting through
at least 18Z. Some storms will produce heavy rain, reducing
visibility to MVFR or IFR range at times. Otherwise, lowering
ceilings into the MVFR range are expected overnight as moisture
increases. Gusty and erratic winds will also be possible near
stronger thunderstorms. Amendments will likely be needed as
showers and storms increase in coverage across the area. /NF/
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson 65 71 52 69 / 79 100 14 6
Meridian 66 70 52 70 / 50 95 20 5
Vicksburg 63 73 52 69 / 99 100 12 5
Hattiesburg 67 71 54 73 / 45 100 20 5
Natchez 64 73 53 70 / 86 99 13 6
Greenville 62 71 49 65 / 100 82 11 4
Greenwood 63 69 48 65 / 100 96 16 5
&&
.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for MSZ018-019-
025>029-032-034>037-040>043-047-048-053-059-060.
LA...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for LAZ007>009-015-
016-023>026.
AR...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for ARZ074-075.
&&
NF/10Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson MS 429 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018 ARZ074-MSZ018-026-028-029-053-292130- Ashley-Bolivar-Grenada-Montgomery-Webster-Claiborne- 429 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, north central Mississippi, northwest Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Thursday FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Tonight through Thursday Morning SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Remainder of the Afternoon through Tonight Isolated severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and small hail will be possible late this afternoon and until midnight. A tornado cannot be ruled out. Heavy rainfall is expected tonight through Thursday morning. Event total rainfall from 3 to 5 inches with isolated higher amounts are likely and some incidents of flash flooding and river flooding are expected during this timeframe. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday night through Tuesday 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 now through tonight. ARZ075-LAZ007-008-MSZ019-025-027-034>037-040>043-292130- Chicot-Morehouse-West Carroll-Sunflower-Leflore-Carroll- Washington-Humphreys-Holmes-Attala-Issaquena-Sharkey-Yazoo- Madison MS- 429 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, northwest Mississippi, and west central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Thursday FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Tonight through midday Thursday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Remainder of this Afternoon through Midnight Severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes will be possible from late this afternoon until midnight. Hail can also not be ruled out. Heavy rainfall is expected tonight through Thursday morning. Event total rainfall from 3 to 5 inches with isolated higher amounts are likely and some incidents of flash flooding and river flooding are expected during this timeframe. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday night through Tuesday 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 now through tonight. MSZ030>033-038-044-048-059-060-292130- Clay-Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Winston-Leake-Hinds-Jefferson- Adams- 429 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central Mississippi, east central Mississippi, northeast Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Thursday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Tonight through midday Thursday FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Tonight through early afternoon Thursday Isolated severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and small hail will be possible tonight through midday tomorrow. A tornado cannot be ruled out. Heavy rainfall is expected tonight through early afternoon Thursday. Event total rainfall from 3 to 5 inches with isolated higher amounts are likely and some incidents of flash flooding and river flooding are expected during this timeframe. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday night through Tuesday 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 tonight through midday Thursday. LAZ009-015-016-023>026-MSZ047-292130- East Carroll-Richland-Madison LA-Franklin LA-Catahoula-Tensas- Concordia-Warren- 429 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, and west central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Thursday FLOODING THREAT...Significant TIMING...Mainly Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...This afternoon until Midnight Severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes will be possible from this afternoon until midnight. Hail can also not be ruled out. In addition, heavy and locally torrential rainfall is expected through Thursday morning. Event total rainfall from 4 to 7 inches with isolated higher amounts are likely. Flash flooding and river flooding issues are expected during this timeframe and some significant flooding cannot be ruled out. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday night through Tuesday 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 through tonight. MSZ039-045-046-049-050-054-061-062-292130- Noxubee-Neshoba-Kemper-Rankin-Scott-Copiah-Franklin MS-Lincoln- 429 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central Mississippi, east central Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Thursday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Tonight through midday Thursday FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Tonight through early afternoon Thursday Isolated severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and small hail will be possible tonight through midday tomorrow. A tornado cannot be ruled out. Locally heavy rainfall is expected later tonight through early afternoon Thursday. Event total rainfall amounts ranging from 1 to 3 inches are likely and some incidents of flash flooding are possible over this timeframe. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image2.png) (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday night through Tuesday 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 tonight through Thursday. MSZ051-052-055-056-063-292130- Newton-Lauderdale-Simpson-Smith-Lawrence- 429 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central Mississippi, east central Mississippi, and south central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Thursday FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Late Tonight through Thursday afternoon SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Thursday morning through early Afternoon Severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and hail will be possible Thursday morning and through the early afternoon hours. A tornado cannot be ruled out. In addition, locally heavy rainfall is expected later tonight through Thursday afternoon. Event total rainfall amounts ranging from 1 to 3 inches are likely and some incidents of flash flooding are possible over this timeframe. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday night through Tuesday 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 Thursday. MSZ057-058-064>066-072>074-292130- Jasper-Clarke-Jefferson Davis-Covington-Jones-Marion-Lamar- Forrest- 429 PM CDT Wed Mar 28 2018 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of east central Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Thursday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Thursday morning through Afternoon FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Thursday Severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and hail will be possible Thursday morning and through the early afternoon hours. A tornado cannot be ruled out. In addition, locally heavy rainfall is expected late tonight through Thursday afternoon. Event total rainfall amounts ranging from 1 to 3 inches are likely and some incidents of flash flooding are possible over this timeframe. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image1.png) (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/image3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday night through Tuesday 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 Thursday. 50 && ...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... https://www.weather.gov/jan Stay Aware, Stay Safe NWS JAN Briefing Page... https://www.weather.gov/jan/safe Latest Weather Briefing... https://www.weather.gov/jan/weather_briefing Find NWS JAN on Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/NWSJacksonMS Follow NWS JAN on Twitter... @NWSJacksonMS Follow NWS JAN on Youtube... https://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... https://www.weather.gov/jan/safe_HeavyRain Observed Precipitation Images... https://www.weather.gov/jan/precipmaps River Forecast Center... https://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
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
535 PM CDT WED MAR 28 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0512 PM HAIL 1 SE RAYVILLE 32.46N 91.75W
03/28/2018 E0.50 INCH RICHLAND LA PUBLIC
DIME SIZED HAIL REPORTED IN RAYVILLE VIA
SOCIAL MEDIA.
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
544 PM CDT WED MAR 28 2018
LAZ023>026-282330-
Tensas LA-Catahoula LA-Concordia LA-Franklin LA-
544 PM CDT WED MAR 28 2018
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT WESTERN TENSAS...NORTHEASTERN
CONCORDIA...NORTHERN CATAHOULA AND FRANKLIN PARISHES UNTIL 630 PM
CDT...
At 544 PM CDT, Meteorologists were tracking strong thunderstorms
along a line extending from near Columbia to near Manifest. Movement
was east at 50 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Wallace Ridge around 555 PM CDT.
Liddieville around 600 PM CDT.
Winnsboro and Jigger around 605 PM CDT.
Clayton and Lee Bayou around 615 PM CDT.
Spokane around 625 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Harrisonburg,
Gilbert and Sicily Island.
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.
&&
A tornado watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for northeastern
Louisiana...and southwestern Mississippi.
LAT...LON 3193 9201 3193 9190 3197 9190 3197 9189
3200 9190 3203 9190 3207 9193 3209 9187
3212 9187 3213 9188 3212 9188 3214 9190
3217 9188 3222 9154 3221 9155 3220 9145
3169 9140 3167 9201
TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 263DEG 42KT 3207 9203 3173 9200
TWThe Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 102 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:12 UTC.
15 thunderstorm wind, 4 tornado, 1 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A swath of pea to golfball sized hail fell from northwest of Holly Bluff to south of Louise.
Winds were estimated around 70mph by a storm chaser.
A tree and a powerline was blown down.
Trees were blown down across the county.
A tree was blown down along Highway 12.
A few trees were blown down across the county. This included along Interstate 20, Nailor Drive, Younton Road, and Heather Drive.
A swath of damaging winds occurred across northern Yazoo County, which started near Fordyke Road where trees were blown down. A roof was blown off of a home, outbuildings were destroyed and trees and powerlines were blown down off of Shipp Road.
A swath of damaging winds occurred across eastern Holmes County. Trees were blown down along Highway 14 along with some shingle damage to a roof. Several trees were blown down near Holmes County State Park. A few power poles were snapped along Highway 12.
Water covered several roads around Yazoo City.
This tornado started out near Highway 19 before the intersection with Highway 440 where it uprooted numerous hardwood trees. It tracked east northeast across Norwood Road and then along Highway 3106 where it uprooted several trees before lifting. The maximum estimated winds were 90mph.
This tornado began near the intersection of Dendy Road and MS Highway 413 where it snapped multiple large tree limbs. The tornado proceeded northeast toward the Natchez Trace where it first crossed Whites Road and uprooted several trees. The strongest winds occurred as the tornado passed over Miller and Rabun roads, and continued along the Natchez Trace Parkway near Stewart Weird Road and Hamrick Road. Numerous large softwood and hardwood trees were uprooted and snapped through this area where winds were estimated at 110 mph. The tornado continued along the Natchez Trace to near Rex Road, causing sporadic tree damage with a few trees snapped and uprooted. The tornado quickly weakened and dissipated over a wooded area south of the Natchez Trace Parkway but before reaching Chester Tomnolen Road.
Several trees were blown down, light fixtures were blown away and a fence was blown down near Weir.
A swath of damaging wind occurred as a severe thunderstorm moved through the region. Trees were uprooted and minor structural damage occurred at a residence southwest of Mathiston. Trees and powerlines were blown down in Sherwood.
A few trees were blown down on the Natchez Trace Parkway as well as around Maben. Numerous trees were blown down and the tin was blown off of a barn roof near Mathiston.
A tree was uprooted at Belvedere Drive and Dorgan Street. Another tree was was blown down along Howell Street.
Trees were blown down.
This brief, weak tornado developed along Lakeland Drive on the north end of LeFleurs Bluff Golf Course and traveled east along Lakeland Drive, ending near Ridgewood Road. Along the path, a few trees were uprooted and multiple trees were topped, mainly on the north end of Lakeland Drive. Window awnings were damaged at a professional building on Lelia Drive. The maximum estimated winds were 75mph.
A swath of wind associated with a severe thunderstorm occurred across portions of northern Rankin County. A tree was snapped along Liberty Road. Shingles were blown off of buildings at the Laurel Park Apartments and small trees were damaged in the area. There was damage to an awning at a gas station off of Luckney Road. There was also shingle damage and a fence blown down at the Garden of Manship subdivision.
This tornado began near the intersection of Branbury Court and Rusk Road in the Castlewoods community, where it downed a couple of small trees. The tornado traveled east across the Castlewoods Golf Course, where it snapped a hardwood tree and also uprooted a tree. The tornado continued moving east just south of Castlewoods Blvd, snapping limbs along the way. The tornado ended just past Willow Grande Circle, where it snapped some more limbs and threw a trampoline into the trees. The maximum estimated winds were 75mph.
Damage occurred along East St. Stephens Road due to straight line winds. An open sided shed was lifted and blown apart, and the entire frame of a smaller shed was moved. A wooden swing set was broken and the mast of a small antenna was bent. A few tree branches were broken.
Part of the awning of a home was damaged.
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, March 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: 743220, 743231, 743221, 743227, 743222, 743223, 743226, 743230, 743229, 743494, 743498, 743381, 743232, 743235, 743234, 743343, 743499, 743380, 743501, 743408, 743409.