Heavy rain fell as a low pressure system moved through the region. Flash flooding occurred as a result of these rains.
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.
Heavy rain fell as a low pressure system moved through the region. Flash flooding occurred as a result of these rains.
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 2, 3:31 PM CST, 1 hour 29 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jackson MS
331 PM CST Thu Jan 2 2020
...HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE TODAY AND TONIGHT...
.DISCUSSION...
Tonight and tomorrow...
Showers and thunderstorms lingering through tonight and into
tomorrow for most of the region. A weak system is relatively slow
moving, and associated with a chance for a lot of rain. Concerns for
flooding potential will keep that Flash Flood Watch in place for a
large portion of JAN CWA. Southerly wind flow into the region will
continue to feed moisture and higher RH ahead of the storm system
and keep the clouds/precipitation in place. The overnight lows will
not vary too much from the day, dropping into the low to mid 50s.
Majority of the severe threat will dwindle overnight, though the
showers and scattered thunderstorms will continue through tomorrow.
As a result, the flood threat will outlast any severe threat
tonight. Tomorrow will be much of the same, without the severe
threat. Cloudy and showery activity throughout Friday through the
area, southerly winds keeping the high temperatures into the low to
mid 60s.
/HJS/
Friday night through Wednesday night...An upper short wave and
associated cold front will move into the delta Friday evening and
move across the area through the overnight hours. Currently it looks
like there will be just enough moisture available for mainly light
rainshowers with the boundary. In the wake of the boundary on
Saturday, the winds may become gusty out of the northwest during the
late morning into the afternoon hours, but high pressure ridging will
quickly build in by early Saturday evening. Highs will only climb
into the 50s for much of the area Saturday afternoon. Surface
ridging will continue to prevail across the area on Sunday with
the surface flow becoming more southerly. The surface ridge will
continue to prevail across the area into Monday, but a short wave
will bring another cold front into the area by Monday evening.
Highs on Sunday and Monday will climb into the 60s, with overnight
lows in the 30s Sunday morning and around 40 Monday morning.
The front will move across the area Monday night into Tuesday and
with limited moisture/instability, it currently looks like there
will be mainly just light rainshowers with the front. As the short
wave/frontal boundary move east, high pressure ridging will once
again re-establish itself over the area Tuesday night into
Wednesday. Highs will be in the 50s both Tuesday and Wednesday,
with overnight lows falling back into the 30s both Tuesday night
and Wednesday night. /15/
&&
.AVIATION...
18Z TAF discussion:
Models and trends pointing to a continued IFR/LIFR forecast. Cigs
just too low, even in areas where the vis improves. Continuing the
low and LIFR/IFR through the overnight...with the lowest visbys in
the southeast. Rainfall and thunderstorms likely to continue
through the pd with enhanced moisture in the boundary layer
keeping the low cigs in place through the morning. Model guidance
has hinted at the possibility of improving conditions by the end
of the pd, but not enough confidence to begin that trend as of
yet.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson 56 65 43 55 / 97 72 47 7
Meridian 58 65 45 55 / 92 94 51 8
Vicksburg 54 66 42 56 / 97 55 31 5
Hattiesburg 60 66 47 58 / 92 85 20 6
Natchez 55 66 43 57 / 97 50 25 5
Greenville 53 61 41 51 / 87 61 37 5
Greenwood 53 63 41 51 / 97 74 52 9
&&
.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning for MSZ019-025>057-
059>065.
LA...Flash Flood Watch through Friday morning for LAZ009-016-023>026.
AR...None.
&&
15/HJSHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson MS 1129 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 ARZ074-075-LAZ007-008-015-MSZ018-019-025-034-031730- Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-West Carroll-Richland-Bolivar-Sunflower- Leflore-Washington- 1129 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, north central Mississippi, and northwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Today through Tonight Today through tonight, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. Minor river flooding is also possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday 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 Wednesday. LAZ016-MSZ027>030-032-035-036-040>042-031730- Madison LA-Carroll-Montgomery-Webster-Clay-Choctaw-Humphreys- Holmes-Issaquena-Sharkey-Yazoo- 1129 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, northeast Mississippi, and west central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Today through Tonight Today through tonight, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts and hail. A tornado cannot be ruled out. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Today through tonight, areas of flash flooding likely and some roads could be flooded or closed. Some structures may be potentially threatened by high water. Minor river flooding is also possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday 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 through tonight. LAZ024-025-MSZ031-033-037>039-043-044-047-048-053-031730- Catahoula-Tensas-Lowndes-Oktibbeha-Attala-Winston-Noxubee- Madison MS-Leake-Warren-Hinds-Claiborne- 1129 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, northeast Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Today through Tonight Today through tonight, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging winds from 60 to 70 mph and hail at least to the size of quarters. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Today through tonight, areas of flash flooding likely and some roads could be flooded or closed. Some structures may be potentially threatened by high water. Minor river flooding is also possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday 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 through tonight. LAZ009-023-031730- East Carroll-Franklin LA- 1129 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Today through Tonight Today through tonight, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts and hail. A tornado cannot be ruled out. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Today through tonight, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. Minor river flooding is also possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday 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 through tonight. LAZ026-MSZ045-046-049>052-054>057-059>064-031730- Concordia-Neshoba-Kemper-Rankin-Scott-Newton-Lauderdale-Copiah- Simpson-Smith-Jasper-Jefferson-Adams-Franklin MS-Lincoln-Lawrence- Jefferson Davis- 1129 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, east central Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Today through Tonight NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS THREAT...Limited TIMING...Today Today through tonight, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging winds from 60 to 70 mph and hail at least to the size of quarters. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Today through tonight, areas of flash flooding likely and some roads could be flooded or closed. Some structures may be potentially threatened by high water. Minor river flooding is also possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Today, weak trees and limbs may break and fall due to sustained winds up to 20 mph and wind gusts around 30 mph. High profile vehicles could also be affected. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday 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 through tonight. MSZ058-065-066-072>074-031730- Clarke-Covington-Jones-Marion-Lamar-Forrest- 1129 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 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...Slight TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Today through Tonight NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS THREAT...Limited TIMING...Today Today through tonight, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging winds from 60 to 70 mph and hail at least to the size of quarters. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Today through tonight, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. Minor river flooding is also possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Today, weak trees and limbs may break and fall due to sustained winds up to 20 mph and wind gusts around 30 mph. High profile vehicles could also be affected. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday 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 through tonight. MSZ026-031730- Grenada- 1129 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of north central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Today through Tonight Today through tonight, areas of flash flooding likely and some roads could be flooded or closed. Some structures may be potentially threatened by high water. Minor river flooding is also possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday 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 Wednesday. 15 && ...HAZARD LEGEND... *FLOODING* Extreme...Widespread and significant flooding is likely. Significant...Widespread flash flooding is likely and significant flooding is possible. Elevated...Areas of flash flooding likely. Limited...Localized flash flooding is possible. *SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS* High...Significant severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are likely with strong or violent tornadoes possible. Moderate...Significant severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are likely with strong tornadoes possible. Enhanced...Severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are possible. Slight...Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Marginal...Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. *NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS* Significant...Scattered downed trees and power lines are likely due to sustained winds over 35 mph and potential wind gusts greater than 50 mph. Elevated...A few downed trees and power lines are possible due to sustained winds ranging from 25 to 35 mph and potential for wind gusts over 40 mph. Travel will also be difficult for those in high profile vehicles. Limited...Weak trees and limbs may break and fall due to sustained winds up to 25 mph and wind gusts around 35 mph. High profile vehicles could also be affected. ...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 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... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/nationalfloodoutlook/index.html Day 1 through 3 Excessive Rainfall... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/excess_rain.shtml Excessive Rainfall Discussion... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/qpferd.html Day 1 through 7 QPF... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/qpf2.shtml QPF Discussion... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/qpfpfd.html ...ADDITIONAL URLS FOR SEVERE WEATHER ISSUES... Storm Prediction Center (SPC)... https://www.spc.noaa.gov/ Meso Analysis... https://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/ Day 1 through 3 Outlooks... https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/ Storm Reports... https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
315 PM CST Thu Jan 2 2020
MSZ047-048-053-054-059-022200-
Jefferson MS-Copiah MS-Warren MS-Hinds MS-Claiborne MS-
315 PM CST Thu Jan 2 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTH CENTRAL WARREN...
CLAIBORNE...NORTH CENTRAL JEFFERSON...SOUTHWESTERN HINDS AND
NORTHWESTERN COPIAH COUNTIES UNTIL 400 PM CST...
At 315 PM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm
over Port Gibson, or 28 miles south of Vicksburg, moving northeast at
60 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm.
Locations impacted include...
Raymond, Port Gibson, Edwards, Utica, Dry Grove, Reganton, Rocky
Springs, Hermanville, Pattison, Newman, Carpenter and Learned.
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 3199 9112 3199 9110 3201 9108 3203 9108
3240 9053 3220 9032 3177 9094 3198 9114
TIME...MOT...LOC 2115Z 231DEG 52KT 3193 9098
JMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
416 PM CST Thu Jan 2 2020
MSZ048-054-022245-
Copiah MS-Hinds MS-
416 PM CST Thu Jan 2 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN HINDS AND
NORTHWESTERN COPIAH COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CST...
At 416 PM CST, Meteorologists were tracking strong thunderstorms
along a line extending from near Dry Grove to 6 miles southeast of
Utica to near Dentville. Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with these storms.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Jackson and Dry Grove around 440 PM CST.
Terry around 445 PM CST.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, 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 3189 9066 3202 9057 3222 9045 3227 9020
3218 9022 3218 9024 3216 9024 3215 9025
3215 9024 3213 9025 3212 9024 3211 9025
3210 9024 3196 9028 3191 9043
TIME...MOT...LOC 2216Z 231DEG 21KT 3218 9050 3204 9055 3198 9061
JMThe Ft Polk radar (KPOE), 153 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:57 UTC.
1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Water flowed across Concordia Avenue.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Louisiana, January 2020
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: 864828.