A line of thunderstorms moved through Mississippi on the evening of December 13th. Damaging winds brought down trees and power lines across 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 Mississippi on the evening of December 13th. Damaging winds brought down trees and power lines across 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 Dec 13, 5:03 PM CST, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jackson MS 503 PM CST Sun Dec 13 2020 .UPDATE... Updated for 00Z aviation discussion && .AVIATION... 00Z TAF discussion: It is currently a mixed bag of flight categories ongoing this evening. Most sites have dropped to MVFR to IFR conditions, with some VFR conditions hanging on. These won't last long either as rain continues to overspread the region from the west, some of which could be moderate to heavy at times. All sites will be MVFR to IFR through the remainder of the evening into tomorrow. Ceilings will be slow to lift tomorrow and most sites will remain at least MVFR through at least 18-20Z. Winds will also be gusty and out of the north. Sustained speeds will be around 15kt with gusts to 30kt possible, especially in the Delta. Rain looks to move out of the region to the east around or after midnight, so some improvement in flight categories may occur but still remain sub-VFR through much of tomorrow. Overall, this is just not a good time to fly. /28/ && .DISCUSSION... Tonight and tomorrow: A potent shortwave trough has ejected out of the Desert Southwest overnight and was noted on water vapor imagery over the Southern Plains this afternoon. At the surface, a previously stalled frontal boundary along the Gulf Coast is lifting back north as a warm front. Surface cyclogenesis is also underway along the Texas coast as mid- level height falls overspread the frontal boundary. Regional surface observations indicate a reservoir of rich boundary layer moisture characteristic of upper 60s to low 70s dew points extending along the central Texas coast and offshore over the Gulf of Mexico. Upwards of 1000-1500 J/kg of SBCAPE was located within a low-level ThetaE ridge with convection ongoing from southwest Louisiana into coastal Texas. As the afternoon progresses, the frontal boundary will continue lifting north as a warm front while low-level mass response to the deepening surface low fosters an intensifying low- level jet. Warm advection showers have spread into the ArkLaMiss early this afternoon as upstream convection becomes organized over southwest Louisiana and coastal Texas. Impressive shear profiles with long looping hodographs may support a few initial supercell structures over the Sabine Valley, but convection will quickly grow upscale into a squall line as it pushes into western portions of the area by late afternoon and early evening. The main limiting factor for a greater severe weather threat will be meager instability. Near 60 degree dew points may make it as far north as I-20, however true surface-based instability will be confined further south, thus resulting in a high shear low CAPE environment. Regardless, strong low-level wind fields may result in damaging wind gusts within the QLCS and a tornado or two cannot be ruled out either. As such, the marginal risk remains well placed and no adjustments were needed. Further north, intense isentropic ascent and strong low-level frontogenesis will yield a robust precipitation shield with moderate to heavy rainfall. 1-2" of rain with locally higher amounts is expected along and north of a line from Vicksburg to Columbus. Flash flooding is not expected as the rainfall will occur over a larger time window (~6 hours). In addition, gusty gradient winds will also be possible across portions of the ArkLaMiss Delta along and north of the surface low. Gusts of 30-40mph may result in a few downed weak trees and branches. The limited threat in the HWO/graphics for non-thunderstorm winds also remains well placed with no changes needed. Showers and thunderstorms will shift east into Alabama shortly after midnight with only a few lingering showers along the Hwy 82 corridor through the overnight hours. Strong cold air advection will usher in a colder airmass overnight with low temperatures dropping into the mid 30s to mid 40s. Cold air advection will continue during the day tomorrow, but the magnitude will be weaker compared to tonight. Nonetheless, clouds will be slow to clear and will further preclude greater warming potential. Afternoon highs will struggle to reach 50 for much of the area with the warmest temperatures across the Hwy 98 corridor. /TW/ Monday night through Saturday: Expect dry and cooler conditions Monday night and Tuesday as high pressure builds into the area behind tonight's system. Another system will move across the area Tuesday night into Wednesday, with light showers possible with this system. Showers should move out of the region Wednesday, with dry weather expected through Friday as high pressure remains in control. Temperatures will be on the chilly side Thursday and Friday mornings, with lows in the mid to upper 20s for most locations. Showers will return to the region Friday night and Saturday as the next frontal system approaches and moves through. /27/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Jackson 39 48 30 53 / 100 0 0 2 Meridian 41 50 30 55 / 100 0 0 1 Vicksburg 38 48 31 52 / 97 0 0 4 Hattiesburg 44 53 33 57 / 86 0 0 1 Natchez 39 48 33 54 / 94 0 0 6 Greenville 38 46 30 48 / 99 0 0 2 Greenwood 37 48 29 51 / 100 0 0 1 && .JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MS...None. LA...None. AR...None. && 28
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson MS 859 AM CST Sun Dec 13 2020 ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-MSZ018-019-025>028-034>036-040>042- 141500- Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-West Carroll-East Carroll-Richland- Bolivar-Sunflower-Leflore-Grenada-Carroll-Montgomery-Washington- Humphreys-Holmes-Issaquena-Sharkey-Yazoo- 859 AM CST Sun Dec 13 2020 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...Today and Tonight NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS THREAT...Limited TIMING...This Evening Wind gusts of 30-40mph will be possible this evening which may cause weak trees and tree limbs to break and fall. High profile vechicles may become unsteady in gusts. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday 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 Saturday. MSZ029>033-037>039-043>046-051-052-057-058-065-066-073-074-141500- Webster-Clay-Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Attala-Winston-Noxubee- Madison MS-Leake-Neshoba-Kemper-Newton-Lauderdale-Jasper-Clarke- Covington-Jones-Lamar-Forrest- 859 AM CST Sun Dec 13 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central Mississippi, east central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, northeast Mississippi, and southeast Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday 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 Saturday. LAZ016-023-MSZ047-141500- Madison LA-Franklin LA-Warren- 859 AM CST Sun Dec 13 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, and west central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...This Evening Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts. A tornado cannot be ruled out. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS THREAT...Limited TIMING...This Evening Wind gusts of 30-40mph will be possible this evening which may cause weak trees and tree limbs to break and fall. High profile vechicles may become unsteady in gusts. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday 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>026-MSZ048>050-053>056-059>064-072-141500- Catahoula-Tensas-Concordia-Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Claiborne-Copiah- Simpson-Smith-Jefferson-Adams-Franklin MS-Lincoln-Lawrence- Jefferson Davis-Marion- 859 AM CST Sun Dec 13 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...This Evening Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts. A tornado cannot be ruled out. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday 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. 1 && ...HAZARD LEGEND... *NON-THUNDERSTORM WINDS* Extreme...Sustained winds 50 mph or greater or wind gusts 65 mph or greater. Significant...Sustained winds 40-49 mph or wind gusts 58-64 mph. Elevated...Sustained winds 30-39 mph or wind gusts 45-57 mph. Limited...Sustained winds 20-29 mph or wind gusts 30 to 44 mph. *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... 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)... 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/
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
634 PM CST SUN DEC 13 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0611 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 SSE JONESVILLE 31.60N 91.83W
12/13/2020 CATAHOULA LA LAW ENFORCEMENT
DOWNED POWERLINE ON HIGHWAY 124 S JUST
OUTSIDE JONESVILLE.
&&
DCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
657 PM CST Sun Dec 13 2020
LAZ016-025-MSZ040>042-047-048-053-140145-
Tensas LA-Madison LA-Sharkey MS-Warren MS-Hinds MS-Yazoo MS-
Issaquena MS-Claiborne MS-
657 PM CST Sun Dec 13 2020
...A LINE OF STRONG STORMS WILL AFFECT EASTERN MADISON
PARISH...WARREN...NORTHERN CLAIBORNE...SOUTHWESTERN
YAZOO...NORTHWESTERN HINDS...SOUTHEASTERN ISSAQUENA AND SOUTHERN
SHARKEY COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM CST...
At 655 PM CST, Meteorologists were tracking strong thunderstorms
along a line extending from near Onward to 8 miles east of Somerset.
Movement was east at 35 mph.
Winds of 40 to 50 mph will be possible with these storms.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Valley Park and Onward around 700 PM CST.
Vicksburg around 715 PM CST.
Reganton around 730 PM CST.
Newman around 740 PM 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 3258 9104 3262 9100 3264 9102 3273 9099
3290 9044 3209 9070 3206 9120
TIME...MOT...LOC 0055Z 257DEG 30KT 3268 9093 3215 9110
ECThe Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 151 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:59 UTC.
8 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Two trees were blown down at MLK Jr. Drive and Steam Plant Road.
A tree was blown down at the 4000 block of Fisher Ferry Road with another tree downed on Indian Hills Road. A tree was blown down at the intersection of Drake Road and Dudley Road. A tree was blown down on China Grove Road.
Several trees were blown down across the tour road at Vicksburg National Military Park.
Power lines were blown down in Satartia.
A tree was blown down at Highway 28 and Dennis Cross Road.
A powerline was blown down on Pritchard Ave in Bentonia.
A tree was blown down on Pinehaven Drive near the intersection with Kickapoo Road.
A tree and stop sign were blown down in Laurel.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Mississippi, December 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: 929733, 929735, 929740, 929747, 929743, 929749, 929752, 929756.