A line of severe thunderstorms moved through southeast Arkansas on the evening of May 15th. This line of storms produced widespread damaging winds with numerous trees downed, including several that fell onto structures and vehicles.
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 severe thunderstorms moved through southeast Arkansas on the evening of May 15th. This line of storms produced widespread damaging winds with numerous trees downed, including several that fell onto structures and vehicles. Outflow from these thunderstorms created a dust storm across southeast Arkansas as visibilities dropped to one quarter of a mile before the rain started.
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 15, 1:36 PM CST, 3 hours 51 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jackson MS 236 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022 .DISCUSSION... Tonight and Tomorrow... Mid and upper level ridging has begun to take shape across the Midwest and Deep South but as the evening approaches, the ridge will weaken some allowing a shortwave trough to push across the Upper Great Lakes region. As this wave pushes through, a frontal boundary will begin to approach the ArkLaMiss from the north. The front is expected to stall just north of our area late Sunday night bringing the chance for rain and thunderstorms mainly north of I-20. While the front will help serve as a focus for precipitation(showers and storms), a rather complex MCV is currently moving across the eastern OK/western AR region. If this MCV holds and continues to push east/southeast, we may see remnants of this which will help bring in the threat for severe weather. If we are able to destabilize enough, isolated strong to severe storms will be possible mainly north of I- 20. The main threats will be damaging wind gusts and hail. Will continue to advertise the Slight and Marginal risk across our north. In regards to timing, depending on how fast this MCV tracks, the severe threat will be later this evening but could linger into the over night hours. Lingering rain showers from tonight's activity will roll over into the day Monday. While there is no concern for severe tomorrow, a thunderstorm can't be ruled out during the afternoon hours as the aforementioned front begins to sag south through the region. Areas across the east and south could see shallow fog late tonight however if this occurs, will fizzle out by the time daybreak comes. While the rain will help knock down temperatures a couple of degrees tomorrow will still be rather warm. Expect highs to climb into the mod to upper 80s in the north to low 90s across the south. /JNE/ Monday night through Sunday... Monday evening a weak cold front is expected to still be clearing our southeast most zones so wl maintain low chance pops into the evening. A weak 1015mb surface high will be dropping over the Tennessee valley and help push the cold front south of our CWA and end the chance for rain well before midnight. Tuesday the surface high will continue shifting east while mid level ridging strengthens over our region from the southwest. The mid level ridge will strengthen into Wednesday morning before weakening into Thursday. The surface ridge will become oriented along the Gulf coast by Wednesday morning. Together these features will lead to a warming trend along with a moisture return through Friday. A few record highs may be tied or broken each day as most sites wl top out in the low to mid 90s. By Saturday a few more clouds wl be around including rain chances as a cold front approaches our CWA. Models differ on how far south the cold front wl get before stalling. The latest GFS is the most progressive in pushing the cold front south of our CWA Sunday afternoon but rain chances Saturday look to continue through Sunday. /22/ && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF discussion: Mainly VFR through the period. VCSH and SHRA will effect mainly sites across the northwest this evening and possibly the south east this late afternoon. Patches of shallow low FG/BR across the region will be possible again early tomorrow morning between 10-12Z but will quickly diminish as the sun starts to come up. Winds will be light and mainly out of the N/NW but can become variable at times. /JNE/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Jackson 67 88 66 90 / 11 22 9 1 Meridian 65 90 64 91 / 14 25 10 1 Vicksburg 69 89 68 92 / 16 20 7 1 Hattiesburg 67 92 66 92 / 14 27 18 2 Natchez 69 90 68 92 / 5 17 8 1 Greenville 69 85 65 89 / 29 17 2 1 Greenwood 67 85 63 88 / 28 17 3 1 && .JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MS...None. LA...None. AR...None. && JNE/22
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Jackson MS 205 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022 ARZ074-075-MSZ018-019-025-026-034-161915- Ashley-Chicot-Bolivar-Sunflower-Leflore-Grenada-Washington- 205 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, north central Mississippi, and northwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Tonight Severe thunderstorms will be possible this evening. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging winds up to 60 mph and hail at least to the size of quarters. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) .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 may be needed for portions of the region tonight. LAZ007>009-MSZ027>033-035>037-040-041-161915- Morehouse-West Carroll-East Carroll-Carroll-Montgomery-Webster- Clay-Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-Humphreys-Holmes-Attala-Issaquena- Sharkey- 205 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, northeast Mississippi, and west central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Tonight Isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible this evening. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts and hail. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) .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 may be needed for portions of the region tonight. LAZ015-016-023>026-MSZ038-039-042>066-072>074-161915- Richland-Madison LA-Franklin LA-Catahoula-Tensas-Concordia- Winston-Noxubee-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- 205 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, 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. 20 && ...HAZARD LEGEND... *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/
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
424 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
MSZ039-046-152200-
Kemper MS-Noxubee MS-
424 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Noxubee
and northeastern Kemper Counties through 500 PM CDT...
At 424 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northeast of Electric Mills, or 18 miles northwest of
Livingston, moving south at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Electric Mills around 440 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Scooba.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3275 8837 3275 8853 3299 8850 3299 8834
TIME...MOT...LOC 2124Z 349DEG 12KT 3283 8836
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
431 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
MSZ030-152215-
Clay MS-
431 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Clay
County through 515 PM CDT...
At 431 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Griffith, or 8 miles southeast of Montpelier, moving southeast at 15
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern Clay
County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3356 8870 3356 8872 3357 8873 3357 8894
3370 8895 3372 8874 3357 8869
TIME...MOT...LOC 2131Z 326DEG 13KT 3364 8882
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
449 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
MSZ057-152215-
Jasper MS-
449 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Jasper
County through 515 PM CDT...
At 449 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Paulding, or 16 miles west of Quitman, moving southeast at 5 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of east central Jasper
County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3192 8910 3209 8911 3210 8891 3193 8891
TIME...MOT...LOC 2149Z 337DEG 5KT 3201 8899
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
508 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
MSZ031-039-152245-
Lowndes MS-Noxubee MS-
508 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Noxubee
and southern Lowndes Counties through 545 PM CDT...
At 508 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles south of Columbus, moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Bigbee Valley around 535 PM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3316 8832 3321 8867 3340 8867 3345 8831
3344 8828
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 295DEG 14KT 3338 8841
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
555 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
MSZ030-152330-
Clay MS-
555 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central Clay
County through 630 PM CDT...
At 555 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Trebloc, or 8 miles northeast of Montpelier, moving southeast at 10
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of north central Clay
County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3380 8872 3373 8883 3373 8890 3381 8890
3381 8872
TIME...MOT...LOC 2255Z 312DEG 11KT 3382 8886
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
DCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
559 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
MSZ039-046-152345-
Kemper MS-Noxubee MS-
559 PM CDT Sun May 15 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Noxubee and
northern Kemper Counties through 645 PM CDT...
At 559 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southwest of Macon, or 15 miles northeast of Preston, moving
south at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Gholson around 620 PM CDT.
Preston around 635 PM CDT.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Shuqualak and Scooba.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 3281 8836 3283 8871 3289 8886 3293 8886
3293 8881 3312 8881 3315 8832
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 022DEG 21KT 3302 8863
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
DCThe Little Rock radar (KLZK), 166 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:27 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Several tree limbs were blown down in the Halley Junction area.
Several large hardwood trees were blown down around the city of Dermott.
A 65mph wind gust was measured at a private airport weather station.
Several pecan trees were blown down along with large limbs snapped at the Pecan Grove RV Park. One tree fell onto an RV at the park.
Multiple trees were downed in the city of Lake Village, including one that fell on a home on South Cokley Street. Additional trees were also downed across various other locations around Chicot County.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, May 2022
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: 1028626, 1028627, 1028641, 1028628, 1028637.