Mississippi, 2020

Tornadoes and Hail in Mississippi, March 4, 2020

March 4, 2020 · NWS JAN · 26 events in 14 counties and zones

A cold front stalled across southern Mississippi by the early morning hours on March 4th. With strong wind shear and an unstable atmosphere in place along the boundary, a few rounds of severe thunderstorms developed and moved across central and southern portions of Mississippi through the morning.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
1
Property damage
$3.2 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
26

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS JAN wrote it up.

A cold front stalled across southern Mississippi by the early morning hours on March 4th. With strong wind shear and an unstable atmosphere in place along the boundary, a few rounds of severe thunderstorms developed and moved across central and southern portions of Mississippi through the morning. These storms produced significant wind and hail including a swath of 90 mph wind and wind-driven hail damage to trees and structures that extended from Yazoo County to Newton County. There was also one EF-0 tornado which developed in Jefferson Davis County and moved into Covington County.

What forecasters said that day

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 Mar 3, 10:41 PM CST, 2 hours 42 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 3, 10:41 PM CST, 2 hours 42 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1041 PM CST Tue Mar 3 2020

.UPDATE...
Updated for evening discussion.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Rest of tonight:

Main updates to the going forecast were the potential for heavy
rain & severe weather still remain but potentially a little
earlier. Right along the baroclinic zone & stalled front, there is
potential for some strong frontogenesis & rapid increase in radar
echoes & QPF overnight, especially after the 3-4AM timeframe. Due
to the strong frontogenetical forcing overtop such a rich
tropical airmass (i.e. PWs approaching an inch & three quarters) &
it being convective, we should see a rapid uptick in convection
in the overnight hours. Due to this, some uptick in QPF has been
adjusted upward. Some of the localized hi-res CAM guidance,
including the ARW, NMM & HREF localized prob. match mean
approaching the 3-5+ inch range, right along or just south of the
Interstate 20 corridor. No real major changes are needed in the
going graphic, other than to bump up the QPF totals. Will have to
monitor HWO outlooks & threat areas if this going trend remains,
especially if the HRRR comes more in line with the more aggressive
guidance. If that is a case, localized areal upgrade in HWO category
& QPF totals couldn't be out of the realm of possibility. In
addition, there will remain some severe potential, with copious
amounts of deep layer shear, increasing low-level helicity &
clockwise curving shear profiles in juxtaposition with surface/ML
destabilization south of the southward sagging frontal boundary.
Main adjustments were to bring the mention of flooding & severe
storms even earlier before daybreak tomorrow, with the heavy rain
definitely even more likely in that timeframe. /DC/

Prior discussion below:

Tonight and Wednesday: Zonal flow will persist across the
forecast area into tonight, ahead of a cold front slowly sinking
southeast through the Delta region this afternoon. On Wednesday, a
closed mid/upper level low pressure system will lift east
northeast from West Texas up towards the ArkLaTex region. In
response to this approaching low aloft, flow across the region
will increase from the southwest Wednesday, with a series of
disturbances aloft lifting across the forecast area along and
ahead of the aforementioned cold front. The increased flow across
the region, will result in an increased deeply moist airmass
residing across the region ahead of the front on Wednesday, with
good chances for showers and storms expected.

While some small rain chances will linger across the forecast area
overnight, rain chances will be on the increase early Wednesday
morning.  As the disturbances move across the region, at least a
couple of rounds of showers and storms are expected to impact the
CWA during the course of the day Wednesday.  The first of such
rounds currently looks to begin impeding upon the CWA by sunrise,
with a second potentially affecting the CWA come mid-afternoon.

Due to the richly moist airmass, the potential for training storms,
and the addition of already very saturated ground conditions, the
potential for flash flooding will exist from early Wednesday through
the afternoon hours, this is especially the case across central and
southern portions of the CWA.  There, a "Flash Flood Watch" has been
hoisted as two to four inches of rain, with locally higher amounts
possible, can be expected. Elsewhere, rainfall totals look to range
from one to three inches.  Based upon later data, this watch could
be adjusted in the future.

With good levels of instability over portions of the CWA ahead of
the front, adequate wind shear, and better forcing, the potential
for severe storms will also exist across a portion of the CWA
Wednesday. Currently, the best potential looks to reside south of
the Interstate 20 corridor, where the best instability will exist.
Damaging wind gusts will be the primary hazard with such storms.
However, a tornado cannot be ruled out, and hail to the size of
quarters will be possible. Currently, the threat of such storms will
accompany each round of convection as it moves east northeast
through the region ahead of the southward sinking front. As the
front sinks south, the threat of severe storms will likewise shift
south throughout the day. /19/

Wednesday night through Monday: there will remain an ongoing threat
of severe storms and flash flooding Wednesday evening generally
south of Highway 82. A surface low is expected to track northeast
across our southeast most zones while a shortwave trough, from a
once closed low, tracks northeast across the northwest portions of
our CWA. Damaging wind gusts remain the primary concern with the
severe threat but hail to quarter size and a couple tornadoes will
also be possible. Locally heavy rainfall of two to four inches in a
short amount of time will likely lead to flash flooding and a Flash
Flood Watch will remain in effect for the area along and south of a
line from Kemper to Warren Counties in Mississippi and to Franklin
Parish in Louisiana. The severe storm threat should end by midnight
while the heavy rain will take until after midnight to end. The
shortwave trough will shift east of Mississippi by noon Thursday
bringing and end to the light rain. Thursday a northern stream
shortwave dropping over the Northern Plains out of Canada will close
off a low over the Great Lakes while deepening a trough whose axis
will swing across our CWA Thursday night. This will maintain
northwest flow aloft over our region and bring in a much drier
airmass. This will also help draw south a >1030mb high over the
Central Plains and set up a period of cooler than normal
temperatures and dry weather that will last into Sunday. By Sunday
the >1030mb surface high will be centered over the southeast states
and return flow will be back across our CWA. Our winds aloft will
become southwesterly by Sunday evening a the chance for rain looks
to return Sunday night ahead of a weak cold front that is currently
expected to move into our CWA Monday night. /22/

&&

.AVIATION...
00Z TAF discussion:
A frontal boundary is sagging into southern MS tonight, some sct
showers across the state. VFR for now, with the llvl moisture
resulting in MVFR cigs and more rain later this evening as the
front drifts with an upper air disturbance riding through aloft.
Winds are coming around to more northerly north of the boundary...
and towards northeasterly overnight and into the early morning
hours. A few sites invof the boundary and points south by morning
may see the ceilings drop below 1000ft with tsra more focused in
the southern half of the state.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson       58  63  50  62 /  80 100 100  39
Meridian      59  63  49  62 /  76 100 100  52
Vicksburg     59  62  51  64 /  78 100  95  28
Hattiesburg   64  69  52  65 /  79 100 100  22
Natchez       61  64  51  63 /  86 100  99  17
Greenville    55  59  48  63 /  54  97  89  45
Greenwood     55  60  49  63 /  47  97 100  61

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...Flash Flood Watch from 3 AM CST Wednesday through late Wednesday
     night for MSZ043>066-072>074.

LA...Flash Flood Watch from 3 AM CST Wednesday through late Wednesday
     night for LAZ016-023>026.

AR...None.

&&

DC/19/22
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 3, 11:15 PM CST, 2 hours 8 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1115 PM CST Tue Mar 3 2020

ARZ074-075-MSZ018-019-025>030-034-050515-
Ashley-Chicot-Bolivar-Sunflower-Leflore-Grenada-Carroll-
Montgomery-Webster-Clay-Washington-
1115 PM CST Tue Mar 3 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast
Arkansas, and north central Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Marginal
TIMING...Through daybreak

Through daybreak, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible.
Some storms could produce damaging wind gusts.  Quarter size hail
is possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Tuesday

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 early this
morning.

MSZ031>033-035>039-050515-
Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Humphreys-Holmes-Attala-Winston-Noxubee-
1115 PM CST Tue Mar 3 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central
Mississippi, east central Mississippi, and northeast Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Marginal
TIMING...Through daybreak

FLOODING
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Tonight

Through daybreak, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible.
Some storms could produce damaging wind gusts.  Quarter size hail
is possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

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/2.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Tuesday

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts,
along with tornadoes, and large hail will remain possible across
southern portions of the outlook area through Wednesday
afternoon.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)
Areas of flash flooding will remain likely across portions of the
outlook area through Thursday morning.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

.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 early this
morning.

LAZ007>009-015-MSZ040>042-050515-
Morehouse-West Carroll-East Carroll-Richland-Issaquena-Sharkey-
Yazoo-
1115 PM CST Tue Mar 3 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast
Louisiana, central Mississippi, and west central Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Marginal
TIMING...Early this morning and again tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Tonight

Early this morning and again tonight, isolated severe
thunderstorms are possible. Some storms could produce damaging
wind gusts.  Quarter size hail is possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

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/2.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Tuesday

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts,
along with tornadoes, and large hail will remain possible across
southern portions of the outlook area through Wednesday
afternoon.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)
Areas of flash flooding will remain likely across portions of the
outlook area through Thursday morning.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

.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 early this
morning and tonight through Wednesday night.

LAZ016-023-MSZ043>052-050515-
Madison LA-Franklin LA-Madison MS-Leake-Neshoba-Kemper-Warren-
Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Newton-Lauderdale-
1115 PM CST Tue Mar 3 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast
Louisiana, and central Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Marginal
TIMING...Early this morning and again tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Elevated
TIMING...Tonight

Early this morning and again tonight, isolated severe
thunderstorms are possible. Some storms could produce damaging
wind gusts.  Quarter size hail is possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

Tonight, areas of flash flooding are likely.  Some roads could be
flooded or closed, along with some structures potentially
threatened by high water.  Ongoing river flooding could be
worsened.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Tuesday

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts,
along with tornadoes, and large hail will remain possible across
southern portions of the outlook area through Wednesday
afternoon.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)
Areas of flash flooding will remain likely across portions of the
outlook area through Thursday morning.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

.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 early this
morning and tonight through Wednesday night.

LAZ024>026-MSZ053>066-072>074-050515-
Catahoula-Tensas-Concordia-Claiborne-Copiah-Simpson-Smith-Jasper-
Clarke-Jefferson-Adams-Franklin MS-Lincoln-Lawrence-
Jefferson Davis-Covington-Jones-Marion-Lamar-Forrest-
1115 PM CST Tue Mar 3 2020

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast
Louisiana, central Mississippi, east central Mississippi, and
south central Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Slight
TIMING...Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Elevated
TIMING...Tonight

Tonight, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Some
thunderstorms could produce damaging winds to 60 to 70 mph and
hail quarter size or larger.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

Tonight, areas of flash flooding are likely.  Some roads could be
flooded or closed, along with some structures potentially
threatened by high water.  Ongoing river flooding could be
worsened.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Tuesday

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts,
along with tornadoes, and large hail will remain possible across
southern portions of the outlook area through Wednesday
afternoon.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)
Areas of flash flooding will remain likely across portions of the
outlook area through Thursday morning.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

.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 early this
morning and tonight through Wednesday night.

23

&&

...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.

...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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 4, 12:13 AM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1213 AM CST Wed Mar 4 2020

LAZ007-040645-
Morehouse LA-
1213 AM CST Wed Mar 4 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL MOREHOUSE PARISH UNTIL
1245 AM CST...

At 1213 AM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm
over Sterlington, or 8 miles north of Swartz, moving northeast at 55
mph.

Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with
this storm.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Bastrop around 1220 AM CST.
  Galion around 1235 AM CST.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Collinston and Mer
Rouge.

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 3274 9205 3276 9206 3278 9206 3294 9171
      3274 9161 3270 9164 3269 9162 3258 9192
      3261 9193 3266 9191 3267 9193 3266 9194
      3271 9197 3270 9202 3271 9204 3270 9204
      3269 9205 3273 9207
TIME...MOT...LOC 0613Z 243DEG 50KT 3269 9204

7

The radar

The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 108 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:20 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 thunderstorm wind, 12 hail, 2 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Issaquena

When
March 4, 1:23 AM CST
Where
Issaquena County, 1.03 mi ESE of Fitler
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
32.722, -91.015

Trees and power lines were blown down near the intersection of MS Highway 1 and MS Highway 465.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sharkey

When
March 4, 1:46 AM CST
Where
Sharkey County, 0.58 mi W of Spanish Fort
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.750, -90.740

A few small branches were blown down in the area.

Thunderstorm Wind, Yazoo

When
March 4, 1:48 AM CST to 2:14 AM CST
Where
Yazoo County, 4.52 mi SW of Enola to 1.61 mi SSE of Bentonia
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$75,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.680, -90.650

The gust front associated with a severe thunderstorm produced a swath of wind damage across southern Yazoo County. Trees were blown down in several locations, including a large tree that fell onto a mobile home and totaled a nearby vehicle in Mechanicsburg. Local media also relayed pictures of several large trees blown down or snapped near Bentonia. The swath of wind damage continued into Madison County.

Hail, Neshoba

When
March 4, 2:02 AM CST
Where
Neshoba County, 4.06 mi ESE of Mc Donald
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
32.640, -89.070

Hail up to 1 inch in diameter fell near the McDonald community.

Hail, Yazoo

When
March 4, 2:04 AM CST
Where
Yazoo County, 4.01 mi SE of Satartia
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.630, -90.500

Hail up to the size of nickels fell in Mechanicsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When
March 4, 2:16 AM CST to 2:40 AM CST
Where
Madison County, 2.71 mi WNW of Flora to 0.9 mi NE of Barnett Res East
Measured
78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$1.5 million
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
32.570, -90.360

The gust front associated with a severe thunderstorm produced widespread damage across southern Madison County. In Flora, the steeple was blown off the Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, and a woman was injured and hospitalized when a tree fell onto her home and caused eight of her ribs to be broken while in her bed. Additional minor structural damage occurred in Flora. Dozens of homes across the county received damage from wind and from trees falling onto them, and several roads were closed due to fallen trees. Roofing and structural damage occurred to buildings and homes around the Gluckstadt area, including some busted windows and air conditioning units due to wind driven large hail. The service area of the Quick Lube and Tire shop in Gluckstadt experienced significant structural damage. A wall also collapsed at a commercial building along Nissan Parkway. Numerous softwood trees were snapped and uprooted along the Natchez Trace Parkway between mileposts 114 and 123. Several trees were uprooted or snapped in the Lake Caroline area. Numerous pine trees were also snapped south of Gluckstadt Road. The swath of damage was about 5 miles wide and continued into northern Rankin County.

Hail, Madison

When
March 4, 2:20 AM CST
Where
Madison County, Flora
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
32.550, -90.320

Hail up to 1 inch in diameter fell near Flora.

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When
March 4, 2:29 AM CST
Where
Madison County, 2.38 mi NNW of Richton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
32.610, -90.170

A 58 mph wind gust was measured from a personal weather station near Stokes Road and Windermere Blvd.

Hail, Madison

When
March 4, 2:31 AM CST
Where
Madison County, 2.33 mi W of Gluckstadt
Measured
0.7 in hail
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
32.520, -90.120

Hail up to the size of dimes fell in the Arrington Subdivision in Gluckstadt. Window screens and a couple of air conditioner units were damaged by the wind driven hail.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rankin

When
March 4, 2:39 AM CST to 2:53 AM CST
Where
Rankin County, 1.75 mi E of Barnett Res East to 11.68 mi E of Barnett Res East
Measured
78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
32.500, -89.940

The gust front associated with a severe thunderstorm produced widespread wind damage to trees across northern Rankin County. Awnings were blown off multiple businesses on the eastern side of the Ross Barnett Reservoir, and at least one tree fell onto a house and power lines in the area. The swath of damage was about 5 miles wide and continued into northern Scott County.

Hail, Rankin

When
March 4, 2:48 AM CST
Where
Rankin County, 2.91 mi E of Sand Hill
Measured
2.5 in hail
Property damage
$15,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
32.480, -89.820

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When
March 4, 2:51 AM CST to 3:24 AM CST
Where
Scott County, 0.9 mi NW of Branch to 4.76 mi SSE of Piketown
Measured
78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
32.480, -89.740

The gust front associated with a severe thunderstorm produced widespread wind damage across northern and central portions of Scott County from near Ludlow and Forkville east toward Lake. Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped in the swath of the most intense damage, some of which impacted homes and blocked roads. The combination of severe wind and and hail blew the windows out of a few houses near the Branch and Forkville areas. Wind damage occurred to homes and other structures near Ludlow, and metal roofing was ripped off a mobile home near Harperville. The swath of damage was about 8 miles wide and continued into Newton County.

Hail, Scott

When
March 4, 2:58 AM CST to 3:00 AM CST
Where
Scott County, 2.43 mi WSW of Beach to 0.64 mi NNW of Forkville
Measured
2.5 in hail
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.490, -89.690

Large hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter fell around the Forkville and Branch areas. Windows were broken from the combination of wind driven hail.

Hail, Scott

When
March 4, 3:13 AM CST
Where
Scott County, 0.9 mi NW of Harperville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
32.490, -89.490

Hail up to 1 inch in diameter fell near Harperville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Newton

When
March 4, 3:20 AM CST to 3:50 AM CST
Where
Newton County, 2.04 mi W of Conehatta to 3.65 mi SSW of Duffee
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
32.450, -89.315

The gust front associated with a severe thunderstorm produced wind damage across central portions of Newton County, including damage to several trees that were blown down near Decatur.

Hail, Simpson

When
March 4, 4:20 AM CST
Where
Simpson County, 2.45 mi WSW of Bush
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Social Media
Coordinates
31.860, -90.020

Hail up to 1 inch in diameter fell near Pinola.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When
March 4, 4:38 AM CST to 4:50 AM CST
Where
Covington County, 4.9 mi WNW of Mt Olive to 0.91 mi NE of Arbo
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$120,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.770, -89.750

Multiple trees were blown down from a swath of damaging wind beginning in far northwestern Covington County near the East New Hope Road and Mount Olive Road area and continuing to the eastern side of Mount Olive. Trees fell onto several roadways including East New Hope Road, Smith Road, and Arbo Road. A tree fell onto a vehicle on Mount Olive Road, and a tree fell onto a home along North Main Street in Mount Olive.

Tornado, Jefferson Davis

When
March 4, 4:39 AM CST to 4:40 AM CST
Where
Jefferson Davis County, 2.19 mi ESE of Mt Carmel to 2.65 mi ESE of Mt Carmel
Rating
EF0
Path length
0.5 mi
Path width
200 yd
Continued into
Covington, Ms (JAN)
Property damage
$1,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
31.641, -89.764

This tornado touched down in far eastern Jefferson Davis County just south of US 84 along Ponderosa Road where a few large softwood tree limbs were snapped. The tornado then moved northeast into Covington County uprooting and snapping softwood|trees along Mosshill Road. It pushed east crossing US Highway 35 where it uprooted hardwood trees. It continued to uproot softwood trees at Kelly Road and Friendship Road, just north of US 84. It caused the removal of a few shingles off of a one-story|home along Dan Easterling Road while also uprooting softwood trees. The tornado showed signs of weakening once it progressed eastward to Faler Road and Campbell-Faler Road, as only a few large softwood tree limbs were snapped. Once the tornado reached Collins-Spencer Road, west of Collins, it lifted but not before|uprooting a few softwood trees. Maximum winds were 75 mph in Jefferson Davis County, but overall the tornado had maximum winds of 85 mph in Covington County. Total path length was around 9.3 miles and maximum width was 400 yards in Covington County.

Tornado, Covington

When
March 4, 4:40 AM CST to 4:52 AM CST
Where
Covington County, 8.09 mi W of Williamsburg to 1.17 mi NE of Williamsburg
Rating
EF0
Path length
8.81 mi
Path width
400 yd
Property damage
$25,000
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
31.642, -89.755

This tornado touched down in far eastern Jefferson Davis County just south of US 84 along Ponderosa Road where a few large softwood tree limbs were snapped. The tornado then moved northeast into Covington County uprooting and snapping softwood trees along Mosshill Road. It pushed east crossing US Highway 35 where it uprooted hardwood trees. It continued to uproot softwood trees at Kelly Road and Friendship Road, just north of US 84. It caused the removal of a few shingles off of a one-story home along Dan Easterling Road while also uprooting softwood trees. The tornado showed signs of weakening once it progressed eastward to Faler Road and Campbell-Faler Road, as only a few large softwood tree limbs were snapped. Once the tornado reached Collins-Spencer Road, west of Collins, it lifted but not before uprooting a few softwood trees. Maximum winds were 75 mph in Jefferson Davis County, but overall the tornado had maximum winds of 85 mph in Covington County. Total path length was around 9.3 miles and maximum width was 400 yards in Covington County.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When
March 4, 4:47 AM CST
Where
Covington County, 4.02 mi W of Williamsburg
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.611, -89.688

Trees were blown down near the intersection of Three Notch Road and Wilson Road west of Williamsburg.

Thunderstorm Wind, Covington

When
March 4, 4:55 AM CST to 4:59 AM CST
Where
Covington County, 0.13 mi SW of Collins Jaycee Arpt to 1.9 mi ESE of Collins
Measured
53 kt (61 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
31.649, -89.552

A tree was blown down onto MS Highway 184 east of Collins, and a tree was blown down along Evergreen Church Road near the intersection with Watts Road.

Hail, Jones

When
March 4, 5:19 AM CST to 5:35 AM CST
Where
Jones County, 2.63 mi SSE of Service to 2.35 mi E of Lanham
Measured
2.5 in hail
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Social Media
Coordinates
31.696, -89.210

Large hail of golf ball size and larger fell in a swath from the Calhoun community southeast across parts of Laurel, Glade, and Tuckers Crossing. Several car rear windows were busted out at a gas station on the southwest side of Laurel. The largest hailstone reported was from Tuckers Crossing, where the hailstone was placed next to a McDonald's dipping sauce packet and thus determined to have a diameter of near 2.5 inches.

Hail, Hinds

When
March 4, 9:53 AM CST to 9:59 AM CST
Where
Hinds County, 0.58 mi W of Spring Ridge to 0.33 mi ESE of Byram
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$250,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.180, -90.340

A severe thunderstorm produced a swath of large hail up to the size of golf balls as it moved across the southern half of Hinds County, near Byram.

Hail, Hinds

When
March 4, 9:55 AM CST
Where
Hinds County, 0.32 mi SW of Terry
Measured
1.75 in hail
Property damage
$150,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
32.097, -90.304

Hail up to the size of golf balls fell along Interstate 55 near Terry.

Hail, Rankin

When
March 4, 9:58 AM CST to 10:21 AM CST
Where
Rankin County, 3.88 mi NNW of Whites to 2.72 mi SW of Shiloh
Measured
2 in hail
Property damage
$300,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
32.130, -90.230

A severe thunderstorm produced a swath of hail up to 2 inches in diameter as it moved across central and southern Rankin County. The southern extent of the large hail swath was from near Florence through the Robinhood area. The largest hailstone reported was 2 inches and fell near the intersection of Shell Oil Road and MS Highway 18. Hail to at least quarter size fell at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi State Hospital and Brandon High School.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clarke

When
March 4, 11:50 AM CST
Where
Clarke County, 1.67 mi N of Snell
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
32.224, -88.503

A tree was blown down onto County Road 420 near the Lauderdale County line.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado
A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Mississippi in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Mississippi, 2020Warnings in Mississippi, March 2020

Sources

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: 879634, 879635, 879636, 880947, 879637, 879643, 880942, 879812, 880943, 880938, 880944, 880939, 880945, 880946, 880941, 880948, 881226, 880949, 880950, 880952, 881227, 881228, 881229, 881230, 881234, 881236.