A stalled front was located across the Mid-South. A moist and unstable airmass was in place south of the stalled front across northeast 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 MEG wrote it up.
A stalled front was located across the Mid-South. A moist and unstable airmass was in place south of the stalled front across northeast Mississippi. A cold front moved across the Lower Mississippi Valley during the afternoon hours of December 16th and interacted with the moist and unstable airmass to produce severe storms across Northeast Mississippi including several tornadoes.
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 Dec 16, 11:39 AM CST, 3 hours 11 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Memphis TN 1139 AM CST Mon Dec 16 2019 .UPDATE... See the 18z aviation discussion. && .PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 944 AM CST Mon Dec 16 2019/ UPDATE... At mid morning, the surface front extended from south of Clarksdale to around Pickwick. Southerly flow up and over the surface boundary is helping sustain showers/storms north of the boundary. Locally heavy rainfall is possible with stronger/training storms. Fairly low freezing level and especially -20 deg C level, so small hail can also be expected. Early 12Z guidance continues the general forecast trend for the afternoon and evening. Surface-based instability still appears most likely during the afternoon/early evening over NE MS. Weak upper system and surface low along the boundary should provide lift and focus for storms. Vertical wind shear will support storm organization and at least mid-level rotation. Farther north, lift and instability over the surface front will remain favorable for elevated storms. GW PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 305 AM CST Mon Dec 16 2019/ DISCUSSION... Currently...A quasi-stationary front is draped across the Mid- South, just south of I-40. Weak low pressure moving along the front overnight, along with strong low level flow across that boundary, has resulted in a band of heavy rainfall of up to 1.5 inches just north of I-40. As the weak low tracks into middle TN, along with the stronger low level flow, the band has been slowly weakening. There is quite a contrast across the front with temps in the mid 30s over extreme NE AR and the MO Bootheel to the mid 60s over Monroe County MS. Today...An upper level trough will push toward the region with deep, moist southwesterly flow across the Mid-South. Surface low pressure developing near the ARKLATEX will begin to move NE along the stalled frontal boundary across the Mid-South. In the warm sector southerly winds will continue to pull moist and relatively unstable air north. Expect showers and elevated thunderstorms to expand this morning as the surface low approaches and low level flow strengthens across the stalled front once again. Could see some locally heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding, especially where heavy rain fell overnight. Further southwest, as the cold front starts pushing across the Lower MS Valley, expect more thunderstorms to develop and intensify while spreading NE to parts of the Mid-South during the afternoon. In the warm sector, south of the stalled front, severe parameters point toward a few severe storms, though the better threat remains south of the region. Strong deep layer shear will be in place with at least some instability. SBCAPE values will climb to between 500-1000 J/KG and 0-1km helicity values will top 200 m2/s2 this afternoon across NE MS indicating favorable low level veering. Best areas of updraft helicity remain south though some HREF members have robust values across parts of NE MS. Expect clusters and lines of convection to push NE along and just ahead of the approaching cold front. Any storms that can remain semi- discrete pose the greater threat. The main threat will be damaging wind. A tornado is possible across NE MS and with some hail in stronger storms. Severe chances start ramping up early this afternoon and continue until the front exits around 01-02z. Tonight...Severe weather chance diminish in the early evening and rain chances taper off quickly from west to east. Precip will end before any kind of changeover can occur. Gusty NW winds will bring in much colder air by morning with lows from about 30 in NE AR to upper 30s in NE MS. Tuesday through Wednesday night...Cold with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Gusty NW winds will add an extra chill on Tuesday. Thursday through Sunday...Slightly milder by Thursday as high pressure shifts east. A fast moving system may bring a little rain to the region Friday into early Saturday. Upper level high pressure build in for Sunday into early next week with temps climbing above normal. SJM && .AVIATION... /18z TAFs/ A stationary front located near a CKM-UOX-PVE line will begin to move east this afternoon. Widespread rain/showers with scattered thunderstorms will continue today. Storms north of this front will remain elevated while surface based storms to its south may contain gusty winds. Rain/thunderstorms are expected to end from west to east between 00-06z with generally dry weather thereafter. IFR conditions will persist through the night in many areas, especially east of the MS River with improving conditions by 15z. Winds will shift from the north/northwest behind the cold front and may be gusty at times. MJ && .MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. MO...None. MS...None. TN...None. &&
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Memphis TN 314 AM CST Mon Dec 16 2019 ARZ009-018-026>028-035-036-048-049-058-MOZ113-115-MSZ001>017- 020>024-TNZ001>004-019>022-048>055-088>092-171115- 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-Lee AR-Lee MS- Madison-Marshall-McNairy-Mississippi-Monroe-Obion-Panola-Pemiscot- Phillips-Poinsett-Pontotoc-Prentiss-Quitman-Shelby-St. Francis- Tallahatchie-Tate-Tippah-Tipton-Tishomingo-Tunica-Union-Weakley- Yalobusha- 314 AM CST Mon Dec 16 2019 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of East Arkansas... the Missouri Bootheel...North Mississippi...and West Tennessee. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A few severe storms are possible this afternoon into early this evening along and south of a line from Helena-West Helena, Arkansas to Decaturville, Tennessee. The greatest risk for severe weather will be across north-central and northeast Mississippi. Damaging winds will be the main threat. A tornado is possible along with large hail. In addition, locally heavy rainfall could lead to localized flash flooding, mainly across West Tennessee. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon into early this evening. SJM
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
1217 PM CST MON DEC 16 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1210 PM FLASH FLOOD CAMDEN 36.06N 88.10W
12/16/2019 BENTON TN TRAINED SPOTTER
NUMEROUS ROADS ARE UNDERWATER IN CAMDEN DUE TO HEAVY
RAINFALL.
&&
MJSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1227 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019
MSZ013-161900-
Lafayette MS-
1227 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019
...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 100 PM CST
FOR...
Lafayette County in northwestern Mississippi...
At 1227 PM CST...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger was located over Springdale, or near Water Valley, moving
northeast at 55 mph.
People in Lafayette County should monitor this storm closely.
LAT...LON 3424 8972 3456 8958 3455 8947 3452 8943
3453 8940 3452 8939 3452 8934 3453 8933
3450 8925 3434 8925 3419 8954 3419 8972
TIME...MOT...LOC 1827Z 226DEG 48KT 3425 8962
MJSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1239 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019
MSZ002-161915-
Marshall MS-
1239 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019
...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 115 PM CST
FOR...
Central Marshall County in northwestern Mississippi...
At 1239 PM CST...a strong thunderstorm producing pea to dime size
hail was located over Laws Hill, or 9 miles southwest of Wall Doxey
State Park, moving northeast at 60 mph.
People in central Marshall County should monitor this storm closely.
LAT...LON 3456 8967 3485 8957 3485 8935 3484 8930
3475 8930 3455 8953
TIME...MOT...LOC 1839Z 217DEG 50KT 3457 8960
MJSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Memphis TN 1259 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019 MSZ007-008-010>012-161930- Tunica MS-Coahoma MS-Panola MS-Tate MS-Quitman MS- 1259 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019 ...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 130 PM CST FOR... Southeastern Tunica County in northwestern Mississippi... Northeastern Coahoma County in northwestern Mississippi... Northwestern Panola County in northwestern Mississippi... Southwestern Tate County in northwestern Mississippi... Northern Quitman County in northwestern Mississippi... At 1258 PM CST...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or larger was located over Jonestown, or 12 miles northeast of Clarksdale, moving northeast at 55 mph. People in southeastern Tunica...northeastern Coahoma...northwestern Panola...southwestern Tate and northern Quitman Counties should monitor this storm closely. LAT...LON 3422 9050 3437 9060 3478 9030 3450 8986 TIME...MOT...LOC 1858Z 231DEG 46KT 3436 9045 MJ
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
104 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019
MSZ003-TNZ089-090-161930-
Benton MS-Hardeman TN-Fayette TN-
104 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019
...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 130 PM CST
FOR...
Northwestern Benton County in northeastern Mississippi...
Southern Hardeman County in western Tennessee...
Southeastern Fayette County in western Tennessee...
At 104 PM CST...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger was located near Lamar, or 10 miles northeast of Holly
Springs, moving northeast at 65 mph.
People in northwestern Benton...southern Hardeman and southeastern
Fayette Counties should monitor this storm closely.
LAT...LON 3513 8887 3482 8924 3485 8930 3485 8935
3491 8935 3520 8928 3523 8894
TIME...MOT...LOC 1904Z 218DEG 55KT 3486 8930
MJSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
154 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019
MSZ011-012-020-162030-
Tallahatchie MS-Panola MS-Quitman MS-
154 PM CST Mon Dec 16 2019
...A SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 230 PM CST
FOR...
Tallahatchie County in northwestern Mississippi...
Southwestern Panola County in northwestern Mississippi...
Southern Quitman County in northwestern Mississippi...
At 154 PM CST...a strong thunderstorm producing pea size hail or
larger and winds at least 40 mph was located over Sumner, or 10 miles
northeast of Parchman, moving northeast at 40 mph.
Very heavy rain along with continuous cloud to ground lightning are
also possible with this thunderstorm.
People in Tallahatchie...southwestern Panola and southern Quitman
Counties should monitor this storm closely.
LAT...LON 3408 9045 3432 9010 3393 8993 3381 9038
3381 9045
TIME...MOT...LOC 1954Z 240DEG 35KT 3399 9034
MJThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 124 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:52 UTC.
6 tornado, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Part of a metal roof peeled back on a home in Water Valley.
Shed destroyed near the Highway 7 and Highway 9 split.
Trees were knocked down and there was structural damage to a building near Highway 9 and County Road 174.
The first damage was observed to trees along Highway 348. The tornado was intermittently on the ground for the first six miles of its track, causing sporadic tree damage. The tornado intensified as it crossed County Road 172, with trees uprooted. As the tornado crossed Highway 9, several structures were damaged. Some were damaged by falling trees. Trees were also uprooted or trunks snapped. The last damage was observed along County Road 174 east of Highway 9. A total of 12 homes suffered damage. Peak winds were estimated at 90 mph.
A short-lived tornado knocked down trees along County Road 481 south of Calhoun City. Peak wind estimated at 80 mph.
The first damage was observed to trees along Euclatubba Road, south of Highway 348. The tornado crossed Highway 348, damaging additional trees. The first structural damage occurred to homes along County Road 833. The tornado then moved into a residential area. Numerous homes suffered roof and window damage, and a few had garage doors blown out. Two homes suffered nearly complete roof removal. The tornado destroyed a church of metal construction along Mitchell St. then crossed Highway 45 and caused additional tree damage. The tornado then crossed Pratts Road about 3 miles east of Highway 45. The tornado damaged a silo, a home and a storage shed along Highway 370, and caused additional tree damage before dissipating in northeastern Lee County. A total of 37 homes suffered damage. Peak winds were estimated at 115 mph.
This brief, weak tornado damaged trees just north of the Natchez Trace Parkway to the southeast of Guntown. Peak winds were estimated at 70 mph.
A brief tornado touched down near County Road 4101 and Mississippi Highway 4. Trees were knocked down. A barn roof was removed and there was damage to a carport and a few sheds. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.
The damage began on Mississippi Highway 25 extending northeast to Mississippi Highway 30. Mainly tree damage was observed along the path. Thirteen homes suffered damage along with three businesses. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Mississippi, 2019Warnings in Mississippi, December 2019
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: 870484, 870480, 870496, 870506, 870503, 870524, 870578, 870579, 870580.