Afternoon showers and thunderstorms occurred across the region as a warm, moist and unstable airmass was in place. Some of these storms were severe with damaging winds and hail.
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.
Afternoon showers and thunderstorms occurred across the region as a warm, moist and unstable airmass was in place. Some of these storms were severe with damaging winds and hail.
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 May 24, 2:03 PM CST, 54 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jackson MS 303 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020 .DISCUSSION... Tonight and tomorrow... A much quieter day has unfolded across the region in terms of convective activity. It seems as though some drier air as well as a lack of forcing(such as the outflow from yesterday) has keep convection mostly at bay. Showers are just now beginning to develop across portions of the area but overall coverage is far less than what was the case yesterday. Much more coverage is occurring farther west into Louisiana and East Texas. Expect this coverage to be minimal and parameters are not quite as supportive for strong to severe storms as well. Any storms that develop should diminish with the loss of daytime heating. Hi-res guidance indicates that as convection occurs to the west in Texas later this evening, it will progress east through the evening but should mostly diminish before it enters our forecast area. Another mostly quiet night is in store across the region but muggy yet again. Overnight lows will be in the 60s and 70s. More showers and storms are expected across the area for Memorial Day. A shortwave trough will linger just to our west and convection may develop during the day from any outflow that moves into our forecast area. It will be warm again with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. /28/ Tuesday through next Sunday: A humid and rainy pattern will continue through most of the week. Downstream of a broad mid/upper trough from which a mid/upper low will cutoff by midweek, a rather moist airmass will remain in place across the region through the forecast period. This will provide for relatively high coverage of showers and thunderstorms each day, with development primarily driven by the diurnal instability cycle. Average QPF through the week of 1-3 inches is anticipated, with higher amounts generally in the southern and western parts of the area. With the rather moist airmass in place, locally higher amounts will be possible along with the potential for localized flooding. Guidance suggests somewhat greater opportunities for this in the Wednesday through Friday time frame, as higher PW edges into the area. There could also be a few strong storms during the week. Though mid level lapse rates generally decrease, deep layer shear may be around 30 kt at times over the latter half of the week, providing some opportunity for convective organization. Still, confidence isn't high enough in timing/ specific location to warrant mention in the HWO/graphics at this juncture. Temperatures through the week will remain seasonable, with daytime highs modulated to a strong degree by clouds/precip coverage. /DL/ && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF discussion: VFR conditions are ongoing this afternoon with much less convective activity occurring. There should still be a few storms or showers that develop but confidence in affecting a TAF site is low. MVFR ceilings may occur before daybreak in the Pine Belt but most other sites should remain VFR through much of the period. /28/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Jackson 67 90 68 85 / 23 38 15 42 Meridian 66 90 66 84 / 20 28 18 38 Vicksburg 69 90 69 85 / 17 42 21 52 Hattiesburg 66 89 67 85 / 19 40 17 43 Natchez 68 87 68 83 / 16 42 18 55 Greenville 70 89 70 84 / 33 43 30 53 Greenwood 68 90 69 85 / 27 46 24 46 && .JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MS...None. LA...None. AR...None. && 28/DL
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson MS 251 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020 ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023>026-MSZ018-019-025>066-072>074- 252000- Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-West Carroll-East Carroll-Richland- Madison LA-Franklin LA-Catahoula-Tensas-Concordia-Bolivar- Sunflower-Leflore-Grenada-Carroll-Montgomery-Webster-Clay-Lowndes- Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Washington-Humphreys-Holmes-Attala-Winston- Noxubee-Issaquena-Sharkey-Yazoo-Madison MS-Leake-Neshoba-Kemper- Warren-Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Newton-Lauderdale-Claiborne-Copiah- Simpson-Smith-Jasper-Clarke-Jefferson-Adams-Franklin MS-Lincoln- Lawrence-Jefferson Davis-Covington-Jones-Marion-Lamar-Forrest- 251 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, and south central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday night 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. 28 && ...HAZARD LEGEND... No short term hazards expected. ...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
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
313 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020
MSZ073-242045-
Lamar MS-
313 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN LAMAR COUNTY UNTIL
345 PM CDT...
At 313 PM CDT, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm
near Baxterville, or 15 miles northeast of Sandy Hook, moving
northwest at 15 mph.
Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern Lamar
County.
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 3126 8965 3121 8947 3102 8950 3101 8950
3101 8955 3100 8955 3100 8965
TIME...MOT...LOC 2013Z 113DEG 14KT 3113 8956
TWSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Jackson MS 334 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020 MSZ072-073-242115- Lamar MS-Marion MS- 334 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN MARION AND NORTHWESTERN LAMAR COUNTIES UNTIL 415 PM CDT... At 334 PM CDT, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm 8 miles southeast of Improve, or 12 miles west of West Hattiesburg, moving northwest at 15 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Sumrall around 400 PM CDT. Improve around 405 PM CDT. 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 3127 8970 3143 8974 3143 8953 3121 8947 TIME...MOT...LOC 2034Z 147DEG 14KT 3127 8957 TW
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
336 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020
MSZ074-242100-
Forrest MS-
336 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN FORREST COUNTY
UNTIL 400 PM CDT...
At 336 PM CDT, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm
over Mclaurin, or 12 miles southeast of Hattiesburg, moving northwest
at 10 mph.
Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Mclaurin around 345 PM CDT.
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 3119 8933 3128 8915 3100 8915 3100 8914
3091 8914 3091 8918
TIME...MOT...LOC 2036Z 156DEG 10KT 3116 8918
TWSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Jackson MS 356 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020 MSZ072-242130- Marion MS- 356 PM CDT Sun May 24 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT CENTRAL MARION COUNTY UNTIL 430 PM CDT... At 356 PM CDT, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm over Columbia, moving northwest at 15 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Columbia around 400 PM CDT. 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 3121 8969 3115 8984 3129 8994 3143 8974 TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 156DEG 13KT 3124 8979 TW
The Mobile radar (KMOB), 116 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:56 UTC.
19 thunderstorm wind, 13 hail, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
There was a 60mph wind gust measured at Bobby Chain Airport in Hattiesburg.
Quarter size hail fell at the intersection of James Street and Sims Road.
A severe thunderstorm moved through the Hattiesburg area. It resulted in trees being blown down on 9th Street and 20th Avenue. Another tree was blown down onto a home along North 31st Avenue.
A tree was blown down in the 600 block of River Road in Hattiesburg.
Dime to quarter size hail fell on the northeast side of Sandersville.
A tree was blown down across power lines along Highway 27.
As a severe thunderstorm move from southeast to northwest across the east central part of Newton County, it produced wind damage. Trees were blown down in southeast Newton County. There were trees and power lines down and damage to some buildings around Hickory. A tree was blown down near the intersection of Highway 503 and Hurst Road. There were several trees blown down and roof damage to an outbuilding between Hickory and Decatur.
Water was across one lane of Purvis Oloh Road near the Pine Grove community.
A tree was blown down in Rose Hill.
A tree was blown down across a power line.
A tree was blown down in Meridian.
Half dollar size hail fell along John Morris Road.
Intermittent flooding occurred along Hardy Street between Highway 49 and 38th Avenue.
A severe thunderstorm moved across northern Copiah County. It produced a swath of wind damage across portions of the northeast part of the county, including around Crystal Springs. Some of this damage included trees blown down across Tanyard Road, Six Mile Road, and along I-55. Some trees blocked roadways. A tree was blown down on a house on Jessie Street and trees were blown down across the railroad tracks.
A severe thunderstorm brought a swath of damaging winds to the far southeast portion of Hinds County, including a tree that was blown down at the intersection of Knight Road and Georgetown Road in Terry.
A severe thunderstorm brought a swath of damaging winds across Rankin County. Trees fell onto homes in Florence and in the Cleary Heights subdivision. Trees were blown down across Richland, including on Wilson Drive and Richland Circle. Additional damage occurred as the thunderstorm moved across Brandon and Pearl. A Home Depot sign and stop lights were blown out in Brandon. Trees were blown down on Cypress Creek Road in the Castlewoods subdivision. Trees and power lines were blown down and blocked Baugh Road, Old Brandon Road, La Gail Drive, Forest Ridge Circle, and at Highway 80 and Trickhambridge Road. Part of the roof was ripped off at Gray Daniels Ford dealership. A 72 mph wind gust was measured at the Jackson Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. A tree was also blown down in Leesburg.
Hail up to the size of ping pong balls fell at the dispatch office.
A tree was blown down along US Highway 51 and blocked both lanes of traffic in Duck Hill.
Dime to quarter size hail fell.
A few trees were blown down off of Springfield Road.
Dime to quarter sized hail fell in Lena and caused damage to the windshield of a vehicle.
Golf ball sized hail fell near Carson.
A tree was blown down along Ross McPhail Road near Carson.
Trees were blown down on Old Sawmill Road.
A tree was blown down across Greenfield Road.
Power lines were blown down along Gunter Road.
Nickel to quarter size hail fell.
Trees were blown down near the Neshoba County Fairgrounds. Trees and power lines were also blown down around the Hope community.
Dime to quarter size hail fell in the Burnside community.
A tree was blown down in southeast Winston County.
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, May 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: 882562, 882561, 882563, 882564, 883766, 883767, 883768, 883769, 883770, 883771, 883772, 883777, 883779, 883797, 883798, 896927, 896983, 896984, 896996, 896997, 896998, 897001, 897008, 897016, 897018, 897019, 897026, 897030, 897034, 897037, 897042, 897059, 897064, 897082.