A large storm system impacted the region during the late afternoon and evening of January 2nd into the morning hours of the 3rd. A low pressure system moved through the region and brought bouts of of thunderstorms and very heavy rainfall.
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 large storm system impacted the region during the late afternoon and evening of January 2nd into the morning hours of the 3rd. A low pressure system moved through the region and brought bouts of of thunderstorms and very heavy rainfall. The heaviest rainfall fell in a swath roughly along the Natchez Trace corridor and totals ranged between 3 and 6 inches. As a result, fairly widespread flash flooding occurred along with several instances of of significant flooding. The corridor of the worst and most significant flooding was from around Natchez to the Jackson metro, northeast to the Golden Triangle area.
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, 6:29 AM CST, 29 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
629 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020
...HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE STORMS POSSIBLE TODAY AND TONIGHT...
.UPDATE...
Updated for 12Z aviation discussion
&&
.AVIATION...
12Z TAF discussion:
Poor flying conditions are expected through tonight. A mix of IFR
and MVFR conditions were observed at 12Z with widespread -RA to RA
and a few TSRA along HWY 84. IFR conds will prevail today with
widespread RA and occasional TSRA across the se half of the area.
LIFR cigs with -RA are expected to develop across the area by 00Z
Fri and prevail tonight. /22/
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Today and Tonight: Local radars were already lit up early this
morning with widespread light to moderate rain across the CWA. A few
thunderstorms were also noted to our southwest over southern
Louisiana. Rainfall rates and the chance for thunderstorms will
continue to increase from the southwest as the day progresses. The
once closed low over the Baja region will be lifting across our
region today as a northern stream shortwave drops over the Southern
Plains deepening an upper level trough to our west. The initial
shortwave will support a surface low noted near the Texas/Louisiana
coast that will move northeast across our CWA today. Strengthening
wind fields associated with these features will increase deep
moisture back across our CWA and set up the potential for very heavy
rainfall today and tonight that could result in flash flooding as
well as minor to moderate river flooding. Overall, the consensus of
the axis of heavy rainfall has not moved much from previous thinking
and generally remains along the Natchez Trace where 3-5 inches with
locally higher amounts are expected. Lighter amounts of 1-3 inches
are expected to our northwest and southeast. A Flash Flood Watch
will remain in effect for most of our CWA through Friday morning. In
addition to the heavy rainfall threat, isolated severe storms will
be possible over all except our northwest most zones with the
greatest chance of severe storms expected south of Interstate 20
where a Slight Risk has been outlooked. Damaging wind gusts will be
the primary threat but a few tornadoes will be possible especially
over our southeast. The threat for severe storms will start out in
the southwest this morning and continue across the remainder of the
CWA this afternoon and evening; ending as the cold front shifts
east. Although rain chances will continue Friday, the potential for
heavy rainfall will also decrease from the west tonight. /22/
Friday through Wednesday:
Rain chances will linger across the forecast area Friday and into
Friday night as the upper-level shortwave trough axis slowly pulls
east of the region and is overtaken by a northern stream low
pressure system diving from the Northern Plains to the Midwest. This
second feature will push a cold front through our area during the
day on Friday, and keep the chance for light rain in the forecast.
As cooler temperatures build in aloft with the low, cannot entirely
rule out some isolated instances of thunder especially in the north,
but will keep mention out of the forecast for now. Gusty winds also
can be expected in the wake of the cold front on Saturday, with
current indications being for some gusts up to 20 to 30 mph mixing
down to the surface during the daytime. Calm, clear conditions
beneath the post-frontal surface high should allow for temperatures
to dip near freezing Sunday morning for most locations, and some
frost will be possible in the early morning hours.
Moderating temperatures for early next week as mid-level heights
rise beneath a ridge, and then some low end chances for precip
return the forecast as another shortwave is expected to cross the
country before midweek. There is some spread among the model
guidance as to the exact timing and depth of the wave as
it comes across the Rockies, but Monday night into Tuesday are the
most likely periods to see some additional light rain and another
frontal passage to cool temperatures again. /NF/
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson 71 56 65 41 / 97 97 72 42
Meridian 73 58 65 43 / 90 92 94 44
Vicksburg 64 54 66 41 / 99 97 55 35
Hattiesburg 75 60 66 44 / 85 92 85 27
Natchez 70 55 66 41 / 99 97 50 28
Greenville 58 53 61 39 / 99 87 61 41
Greenwood 61 53 63 39 / 100 97 74 52
&&
.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.
&&
NF/22Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson MS 542 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 ARZ074-075-LAZ007-008-015-MSZ018-019-025-034-031145- Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-West Carroll-Richland-Bolivar-Sunflower- Leflore-Washington- 542 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 Localized flash flooding and minor river flooding are possible as one to three inches of rain with locally higher amounts fall across the area today into Friday morning. (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. LAZ016-024-025-MSZ027>033-035>053-056-057-031145- Madison LA-Catahoula-Tensas-Carroll-Montgomery-Webster-Clay- Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Humphreys-Holmes-Attala-Winston-Noxubee- Issaquena-Sharkey-Yazoo-Madison MS-Leake-Neshoba-Kemper-Warren- Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Newton-Lauderdale-Claiborne-Smith-Jasper- 542 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, northeast Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Today through Tonight Areas of flash flooding are likely and moderate river flooding is possible as three to five inches of rain with locally higher amounts are possible today into Friday morning. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Isolated severe storms capable of damaging wind gusts are possible today into this evening. in addition, tornadoes cannot be ruled out. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.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-MSZ058-031145- East Carroll-Franklin LA-Clarke- 542 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, and east central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Today through Tonight Localized flash flooding and minor river flooding are possible as one to three inches of rain with locally higher amounts fall across the area today into Friday morning. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Isolated severe storms capable of damaging wind gusts are possible today into this evening. in addition, tornadoes cannot be ruled out. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.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-MSZ054-055-059>064-031145- Concordia-Copiah-Simpson-Jefferson-Adams-Franklin MS-Lincoln- Lawrence-Jefferson Davis- 542 AM CST Thu Jan 2 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...Slight TIMING...Today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Elevated TIMING...Today through Tonight Areas of flash flooding are likely and moderate river flooding is possible as three to five inches of rain with locally higher amounts are possible today into Friday morning. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Severe storms capable of damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are possible today into this evening. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.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. MSZ065-066-072>074-031145- Covington-Jones-Marion-Lamar-Forrest- 542 AM CST Thu Jan 2 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of 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 Severe storms capable of damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are possible today into this evening. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) Localized flash flooding and minor river flooding are possible as one to three inches of rain with locally higher amounts fall across the area today into Friday morning. (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. MSZ026-031145- Grenada- 542 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 Areas of flash flooding are likely and moderate river flooding is possible as three to five inches of rain with locally higher amounts are possible today into Friday morning. (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. 21 && ...HAZARD LEGEND... *FLOODING* Extreme...Confident in significant flooding. Significant...Significant flooding possible. Elevated...Confident in flooding. Limited...Flooding possible. *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 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/
The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 32 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:00 UTC.
24 flash flood, 5 flood, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Water from Bakers Creek flowed across the entrance road to Buddy Butts Park.
A tree was blown down near Triumph Lane and Martin Luther King Jr. Street. Another tree was blown down near Broadmoor and Martin Luther King Jr. streets. A tree was also blown down near Liberty Road and East Franklin.
A tree was blown down on Lower Woodville Road just past Jasper. Trees were also blown down near Kingston Road and Ogden Road, as well as on Liberty Road near LaGrange.
A tree was blown down across the Natchez Trace.
Street flooding occurred near Hampstead Boulevard and Broadway Street.
At least 5 mudslides occurred along Martin Luther King Jr. Street, including one near Oak Street. Other mudslides occurred along Liberty Road and Morgantown Road.
Flooding occurred on Yandell Road near Highway 51. Numerous roads were flooded in Canton. Flooding also occurred along the I-55 frontage road near Madison.
Church Street was flooded.
A car was stuck in a ditch on Industrial Drive. Water covered Ridgewood Road near Sheffield. There was flooding on Fairbanks Street and on West Street near Fortification Street. There was flooding at the Camelot Apartments, with the floor level apartments evacuated due to water entering them. Water threatened homes in the Presidential Hills neighborhood.
Flooding occurred on St. Andrews Lane, as well as on Stowood and Curtis Chapel roads.
Several roads were flooded around Louisville.
Around a dozen roads were flooded across northwestern portions of Neshoba County.
Portions of Mt. Charity Road were washed out.
Three roads were partially washed out, with several other roads flooded across the county.
There was flooding on North Church Street to the north of Florence. Gunter Road was also flooded.
Several roads were flooded in northern Rankin County, which included: West Pinebrook Drive, Fannin Landing Circle, Lawrence Road, Holly Bush Road, and Dudley Drive.
Several roads were flooded south of Brandon.
There was flooding throughout Lowndes County. Gatlin, Alomar, Grady Hogan, and Hodges-Shelton roads were flooded. Neighborhood streets off of Tuscaloosa Road were flooded. Water flowed across Oswalt Road, and there was water up to the Fountain Square Apartment Homes. Parts of Highway 50 near Steens was underwater. Holly Hills Road was flooded near Rivergate Apartments. Cobb Road was flooded near the intersection of Buck Egger Road.
There was minor flooding of low lying areas south of Raymond Road near Highway 18 and Wright Road. Holmes Lake Dam experienced a complete failure, where damage was caused to a barn, several cars and a fence. Oakley-Palestine Road may have also been damaged.
Several roads were flooded in northwest Scott County.
Highway 80 was flooded between Brandon and Pelahatchie.
Several roads were flooded in the Vernon Community.
Water flowed over Yellow Creek Church Road.
Water flowed across Sanders Hill Road.
A car was stranded on Joyner Road. Several roads were flooded in central Newton County.
Espey Road and Experiment Station Road were closed due to flooding. North Hills Street was closed between 39th Avenue and 43rd Avenue.
Approximately 12 water rescues occurred in Canton due to lingering flood waters in homes.
Arundel Road was closed due to flooding.
Bronson Road was closed due to flooding.
East Sowell Road was flooded.
Old Yazoo Road near Patrick Farm Road was flooded.
Magby Creek flooded and the Masonic subdivision took on water. Streets were flooded and several home took on water. Some were evacuated from their homes.
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: 864980, 864832, 864976, 864979, 864996, 864981, 865135, 865140, 865136, 865141, 865137, 864987, 870569, 866648, 870566, 870568, 870567, 865138, 870565, 866647, 866663, 864982, 865139, 864983, 864986, 864994, 864988, 864991, 864992, 864990, 864989, 902522.