A warm front was situated across southern Mississippi during the evening of January 13th. This, combined with a passing disturbance and anomalous moisture, supported numerous thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that produced widespread rainfall between 2 and 6 inches with the heavies corridor right across the central portion of the forecast area.
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 warm front was situated across southern Mississippi during the evening of January 13th. This, combined with a passing disturbance and anomalous moisture, supported numerous thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that produced widespread rainfall between 2 and 6 inches with the heavies corridor right across the central portion of the forecast area. This resulted in widespread flash flooding across the region as this additional rain fell on very saturated conditions. As the front moved north, additional rainfall and flash flooding occurred across northern Mississippi when another disturbance moved 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 Jan 13, 12:06 PM CST, 3 hours 19 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Jackson MS 1206 PM CST Mon Jan 13 2020 .UPDATE... Updated for 18Z aviation discussion && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF discussion: Challenging aviation forecast this period as there will be a good deal of time in IFR or LIFR conditions along with trying to time the best window for shra/tsra. There's also an element later tonight into the morning Tue for dense fog across the SE and how far N that may get by 12-15z. For now, just keeping the most restricted conditions over the S/SE with a trend to worsening conditions later in the afternoon over central sections then northern sections. Anticipate AMD to cover the changes. /CME/ && .DISCUSSION... This morning, we have a warm front across coastal LA with elevated shra/tsra north of that feature which has spread northward into the S half of our forecast area. Additionally, in a corridor north of the precip and displace from the immediate warm front, a zone of dense fog developed. Generally this was roughly along I-20 and mostly S of Hwy 82. Due to that, we issued a dense fog Adv and graphics to illustrate that threat. As of 10am, some of the fog is dissipating and having the Adv run to 11am will work out fine with only some patchy fog potentially lingering after that. The remainder of the Today period will feature showers and a few storms spreading N/NE from S LA. Current PoP/wx forecast handles that well. The focus then shifts to the potential for any severe storms and locally heavy rainfall. There is not any well defined wave aloft, but there will be a subtle feature that moves across the NW/N part of the area overnight. This will work with the increasing waa and northward surge of low level moisture that is currently ongoing. Thermodynamically, lapse rates will steepen later today into the overnight over our W/NW with vertical totals in the 27-29 range. These lapse rates will support showalter indices in the -4 to -6 range with MUcape from 1000-1500 j/kg. Deep layer shear doesn't look to be super high, but it will range from 40-50 kts and be supportive enough to help organize updrafts. Overall, the result looks to be some hail threat with a few of the strong elevated storms. These would mostly be possible if cells remain more scattered. When cells become more numerous, then the hail threat should diminish. Not thinking much of a wind threat, but some of that could materialize on Tue when/if storms move more E/SE and have a chance to utilized developing surface instability. Saying all this, current graphics handle the threat well. The main timing looks to be this evening and overnight. As for any flooding, this may materialized later, but concern is mainly for any of this activity moving over the same locations along with this activity falling just after recent heavy rainfall. Additionally, when we have rain/storms moving in a more easterly direction near a warm frontal feature, we often see small zones that overachieve in the rain total department. Thus the reason for our flooding outlook. Also, we will likely make an adjustment to the flooding potential later and shift it more N as the SE looks to be somewhat drier after this afternoon. /CME/ Prior discussion below: Tuesday through Thursday: A wet pattern will prevail throughout much of the forecast period as an unseasonably moist airmass maintains residence across the region and a quasi-stationary front lingers nearby. Beginning Tuesday, the front will be situated roughly from the ArkLaTex through the Midsouth, wavering northward through Wednesday. Meanwhile, a combination of weak forcing/lift from broad isentropic ascent and a series of mainly weak mid-level shortwaves will promote the development of periodic shower and thunderstorm activity through the middle of the week. The airmass to the south of this front will be characterized by PW in the 1.5-1.7 inch range, which ranks in the 99th+ percentile for model climatology and would be near record levels. Given the somewhat incoherent forcing, high end rain amounts are not anticipated over a wide area and average QPF will be around an inch; however, the potential exists for higher totals in localized areas as represented by some 4"+ bullseyes in various CAM guidance. With this and the antecedent wet conditions in mind, we have added a limited flooding through to the HWO/graphics through Wednesday. In addition, weak to verging on moderate surface based instability will exist across the region on Tuesday with respectable mid level lapse rates and sufficient deep layer shear for the development of a few stronger thunderstorms. Given the lack of forcing, this activity is expected to remain isolated, but nevertheless, the potential exists for a few severe hail or wind damage reports. The highest likelihood for this activity will be during peak heating on Tuesday when the greatest instability will exist. Heading into Thursday, the front will waver southward again and a mid level ridge will build over the area. A drier low level airmass will move in from a north, but with considerable lingering deep layer moisture, scattered POPs will be maintained. Friday through Sunday: Late in the week into the weekend, a mid/upper trough will shift across the country. The pesky surface front will retreat northward Friday as a warm front followed by a cold frontal passage in association with the mid/upper level system on Saturday. With marginal instability and average upper forcing anticipated, convection doesn't appear to be a huge issue with this system at this point, though isolated storms will be possible. The passage of the front will finally dry the atmospheric column over a deeper layer by Sunday, bringing a reprieve from rain chances and a seasonably cooler airmass. /DL/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Jackson 66 65 74 64 / 74 62 76 42 Meridian 67 63 75 63 / 82 56 67 42 Vicksburg 65 63 73 64 / 66 73 84 46 Hattiesburg 70 66 76 63 / 83 24 44 20 Natchez 67 65 74 65 / 76 67 69 35 Greenville 60 56 69 62 / 36 79 77 59 Greenwood 63 60 70 63 / 57 92 89 68 && .JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MS...None. LA...None. AR...None. && DL/CME
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson MS 255 PM CST Mon Jan 13 2020 ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-MSZ018-019-025>037-040>042-142100- Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-West Carroll-East Carroll-Richland- Madison LA-Bolivar-Sunflower-Leflore-Grenada-Carroll-Montgomery- Webster-Clay-Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Washington-Humphreys- Holmes-Attala-Issaquena-Sharkey-Yazoo- 255 PM CST Mon Jan 13 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, and west central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Tuesday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...This afternoon through Tuesday FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...This afternoon through Tuesday This afternoon through tuesday, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible later tonight into part of Tuesday. Some thunderstorms could produce hail to around quarter size. Any stronger storms on Tuesday may produce gusty winds as well. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) This afternoon through tuesday, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. With a couple rounds of rain through tonight and early Tuesday, 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible is localized areas. This falling on saturated soils may result in some flash flooding. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday night 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 remainder of the afternoon through Tuesday. LAZ023>026-MSZ038-039-043>053-142100- Franklin LA-Catahoula-Tensas-Concordia-Winston-Noxubee-Madison MS- Leake-Neshoba-Kemper-Warren-Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Newton-Lauderdale- Claiborne- 255 PM CST Mon Jan 13 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Tuesday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...This afternoon through Tuesday FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...This afternoon through Tuesday FOG THREAT...Limited TIMING...Tonight through Tuesday This afternoon through tuesday, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible later tonight into part of Tuesday. Some thunderstorms could produce hail to around quarter size. Any stronger storms on Tuesday may produce gusty winds as well. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) This afternoon through tuesday, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. With a couple rounds of rain through tonight and early Tuesday, 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible is localized areas. This falling on saturated soils may result in some flash flooding. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Tonight through tuesday, patchy dense fog is possible after midnight with visibilities potentially down to less than a mile with some areas of a quarter of a mile. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday night 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 remainder of the afternoon through Tuesday. MSZ059-142100- Jefferson- 255 PM CST Mon Jan 13 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Tuesday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...This afternoon through Tuesday FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...This afternoon through Tuesday FOG THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Tonight through Tuesday This afternoon through tuesday, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible later tonight into part of Tuesday. Some thunderstorms could produce hail to around quarter size. Any stronger storms on Tuesday may produce gusty winds as well. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) This afternoon through tuesday, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. With a couple rounds of rain through tonight and early Tuesday, 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible is localized areas. This falling on saturated soils may result in some flash flooding. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Tonight through tuesday, areas of dense fog with visibilities a quarter mile or less are likely. Timing will be late this evening into mid morning Tuesday. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday night 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 remainder of the afternoon through Tuesday. MSZ058-061>066-072>074-142100- Clarke-Franklin MS-Lincoln-Lawrence-Jefferson Davis-Covington- Jones-Marion-Lamar-Forrest- 255 PM CST Mon Jan 13 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of east central Mississippi, and south central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Tuesday FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Through the remainder of this afternoon FOG THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Tonight through Tuesday Through the remainder of this afternoon, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. With a couple rounds of rain through tonight and early Tuesday, 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible is localized areas. This falling on saturated soils may result in some flash flooding. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Tonight through tuesday, areas of dense fog with visibilities a quarter mile or less are likely. Timing will be late this evening into mid morning Tuesday. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday night 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. MSZ060-142100- Adams- 255 PM CST Mon Jan 13 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Tuesday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...This afternoon through Tuesday FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Through the remainder of this afternoon FOG THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Tonight through Tuesday This afternoon through tuesday, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible later tonight into part of Tuesday. Some thunderstorms could produce hail to around quarter size. Any stronger storms on Tuesday may produce gusty winds as well. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Through the remainder of this afternoon, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. With a couple rounds of rain through tonight and early Tuesday, 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible is localized areas. This falling on saturated soils may result in some flash flooding. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Tonight through tuesday, areas of dense fog with visibilities a quarter mile or less are likely. Timing will be late this evening into mid morning Tuesday. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday night 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 remainder of the afternoon through Tuesday. MSZ054>057-142100- Copiah-Simpson-Smith-Jasper- 255 PM CST Mon Jan 13 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central Mississippi, and east central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Tuesday FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...This afternoon through Tuesday FOG THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Tonight through Tuesday This afternoon through tuesday, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. With a couple rounds of rain through tonight and early Tuesday, 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible is localized areas. This falling on saturated soils may result in some flash flooding. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Tonight through tuesday, areas of dense fog with visibilities a quarter mile or less are likely. Timing will be late this evening into mid morning Tuesday. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/3.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday night 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. 36 && ...HAZARD LEGEND... *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. *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. *FOG* Significant...Widespread dense fog with visibilities a quarter mile or less are likely. Elevated...Areas of dense fog with visibilities a quarter mile or less are likely. Limited...Patchy dense fog is possible with visibilities potentially down to a quarter of a mile. ...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/ ...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
The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 99 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:24 UTC.
27 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Water was across part of Highway 49 near the Mooney Branch of Okatoma Creek. Part of Old Highway 49 was flooded south of Seminary near the Seminary Canoe Rental. Part of MS Highway 589 was flooded near Seminary.
Some roads around Moselle were flooded and impassable.
Several roads around Laurel were flooded and impassable.
Flooding occurred on parts of Lake Ferguson Road.
Water surrounded several buildings in Rolling Fork. Multiple roads were flooded including Sidney Alexander Street.
Water covered multiple streets in Yazoo City. Some cars were stalled in the water. A few buildings also took on water.
Fulton and Pruden roads were closed. Thomas Road was also closed due to flooding.
Church and 3rd streets were flooded and closed in town.
Nearly two feet of water covered Highway 16.
Water surrounded a house in Anguilla.
Fox Hall Road was covered in water.
A car stalled in high water and a water rescue occurred at the intersection of Paxton Road and Old Highway 27. Parts of a few major roads were closed due to flooding through the county, including Highway 80 and Highway 61.
A mudslide occurred near Washington Street. Several other roads were flooded throughout the county, including Culkin Road, Logue Circle, Oak Ridge and Bass drives, Nailor Road and Poole Road.
Flooding occurred along I-20 near the Big Black River.
At least one house was inundated with water off of Highway 18 near Wright Road.
Holly Bush and Stump Ridge roads were flooded.
Pecan Circle and Barton Crossing were closed due to flooding.
Highway 80 at Gulde Road was closed due to flooding.
Multiple roads across Flowood were flooded and closed. These included Grants Ferry Road at Abundance Place, Airport Road at Liberty Road, Marshall Road at Lakeland Drive and 4th Street by Nucor Steel. Castlewoods Blvd. was also closed. Cooper Road was also closed near Hog Creek.
Multiple roads across central Rankin County were flooded and closed.
Swift water rescues occurred on Content Street. Camelot Apartments were flooded and multiple rescues occurred. Close to a foot of water was across Ridgewood Road at Jackson Academy. High Street was barricaded due to high water. Presidential Hills was flooded and had no access due to flood waters. Parts of Industrial Drive near Hawkins Field was underwater.
Neighborhoods around Cany Creek in Oak Forest saw floodwaters.
Springridge Road near Entergy was flooded.
A few roads were closed in Richland due to flooding.
A few roads in the western part of the county were flooded.
Several roads in town and around Fayette were flooded. Some of these roads included: Poplar Hill Road, Old McNair Road, Pine Street and Geoghegan Road.
Flooding occurred in Pattison.
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, 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: 873633, 873636, 873637, 873646, 873639, 874223, 874231, 874232, 874234, 874243, 874352, 874354, 874358, 874363, 874364, 874371, 874367, 874368, 874448, 874450, 874451, 874463, 874464, 874510, 874335, 874336, 874337.