Louisiana, 2024Damaging Winds in Louisiana, May 12 to 13, 2024
May 12 to 13, 2024 · NWS JAN · 3 events in 3 counties and zones
Severe thunderstorms moved across the state of Louisiana and produced two swaths of wind that produced significant damage.
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
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $450,000
- Crop damage
- $50,000
- Events
- 3
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.
Severe thunderstorms moved across the state of Louisiana and produced two swaths of wind that produced significant damage.
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 May 12, 8:49 PM CST, 2 hours 36 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 12, 8:49 PM CST, 2 hours 36 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
949 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
...New MESOSCALE UPDATE...
.MESOSCALE UPDATE...
Issued at 939 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
Local radars showed a large area of mostly light to moderate rain
across our CWA generally along and north of Highway 84. There was
no lightning within our CWA at mid evening and the rain has
knocked temperatures down close to forecast morning lows across
our southern zones. No severe weather or locally heavy rain is
expected over our CWA for the next couple of hours but, waa is
expected to increase after midnight from the southwest ahead of a
shortwave trough noted over the southern Plains. The 00Z Mon JAN
sounding had a PWAT of 1.55in. By morning PWATs are expected to be
close to two inches. Regional radars did show convection over east
Texas crossing the Louisiana state line. This activity is progged
to increase in coverage and intensity as it approaches our CWA.
This activity will pose a damaging wind and hail threat mainly as
it moves into our CWA. In addition rainfall rates will increase as
well with heavy rain falling over already wet grounds. Some runoff
issues especially in poor drainage areas are possible later
tonight. /22/
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 158 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
Tonight and tomorrow...
Hope you enjoyed the break this weekend as active weather has
returned for the short term period. A series of disturbances amid an
active southern stream will support multiple complexes that push
across the area starting tonight. The first few will not pose a huge
threat as there is not much instability and the warm front is
offshore the Gulf. These will push through tonight and early
tomorrow morning and there is a slight risk highlighted for south of
the HWY 84 corridor in the HWO for damaging winds to 60 mph and hail
to quarter size. A tornado cannot be ruled out but this chance is
very low considering the lack of instability and unfavorable low
level shear profile.
The main concern will be tomorrow afternoon and evening as a more
potent MCS dives across the area. Storms will initiate in central
Texas and gradually grow upscale, reaching maturity once it reaches
our area. Strong instability and deep shear will be supportive of
its maintenance, while a surface warm front, roughly extending
parallel to the HWY 49 corridor, will serve as a focus for a
potentially stronger wind swath. There is some low end tornado
threat as well given somewhat favorable wind profiles, however I
want to emphasize that the straight line winds in these cases may do
greater, more widespread damage. There is a slight risk highlighted
for this potential as well, however an upgrade to enhanced could be
possible.
In addition to severe threat, PWAT in excess of 1.8 inches and very
deep warm cloud layer will support heavy rain rates capable of
producing flash flooding. Multiple rounds of rain will enhance this
risk further and will lead to a lot of rainfall in a short period of
time, as much as 4 to 5 inches in spots, with a focus south of I-20.
This has prompted the issuance of a flash flood watch and an
elevated risk in the HWO for this area.
/SAS/
Monday Night through Saturday...
The potential for severe storms and heavy rain will be ongoing as
we begin the forecast period Monday night. A complex of storms is
advertised to be in the process of racing east through the CWA
during this time. Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, quarter to
golf ball size hail, and tornadoes will be possible with this
complex as it moves through. In addition, heavy rainfall will
again continue to be a concern during this time. High rainfall
rates and training west to east convection could result in flash
flooding, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas, along
with some minor river flooding.
Showers and storms will continue to be possible into Tuesday as the
main upper trough moves through the region. This activity will
steadily exit the CWA through the course of the afternoon as the
trough exits to the northeast. High pressure at the surface and
ridging aloft will quickly build into the region Tuesday night, with
a return to quiet weather expected through at least Wednesday night.
Chances for showers and storms will yet again increase across the
forecast area early Thursday morning, with chances remaining in the
forecast through Saturday. This is as a result of yet another
series of disturbances forecast to affect the region. It'll also be
during this time, particularly Friday and Saturday, that the
potential for both heavy rain and severe storms will need to
monitored in upcoming forecasts. /19/
&&
.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 653 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
Widespread -RA with a few -TSRA mainly across the south will bring
varying conditions through the TAF period. Away from TSRA cigs wl
lower to MVFR/IFR while vsbys lower to MVFR by 06Z and then
prevail through 17Z. VSBYs wl improve but MVFR cigs wl continue
through the end of the TAF period. /22/
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson 65 79 66 83 / 90 80 50 30
Meridian 64 77 65 85 / 90 90 60 50
Vicksburg 65 82 66 84 / 90 70 50 10
Hattiesburg 67 84 67 87 / 80 90 70 40
Natchez 64 83 65 84 / 90 80 50 10
Greenville 65 79 67 82 / 90 60 50 20
Greenwood 65 77 66 82 / 80 80 50 40
&&
.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for MSZ053>066-072>074.
LA...Flood Watch through Tuesday morning for LAZ024>026.
AR...None.
&&
SAS20/19/22
In the hours before
Local storm report, May 12, 5:37 PM CST, 5 hours 48 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
637 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1156 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NW Natchez 31.56N 91.40W
05/09/2024 Adams MS Public
A power line was downed on a car in Natchez.
Report via social media.
&&
DLLocal storm report, May 12, 6:00 PM CST, 5 hours 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
700 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1117 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Homewood 32.24N 89.51W
05/09/2024 Scott MS Public
Trees were downed in the Homewood area of
Scott County.
&&
DLLocal storm report, May 12, 6:02 PM CST, 5 hours 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
702 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1105 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SSE Morton 32.32N 89.64W
05/09/2024 Scott MS Public
Tree limbs were downed on Stage Rd.
&&
DLLocal storm report, May 12, 6:04 PM CST, 5 hours 21 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
704 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1124 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Burns 32.14N 89.50W
05/09/2024 Smith MS Public
Large tree limbs downed on roads in northern
Smith County.
&&
DLLocal storm report, May 12, 6:06 PM CST, 5 hours 19 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
706 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1105 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Branch 32.43N 89.71W
05/09/2024 Scott MS Public
Trees were downed in the Branch community.
&&
DLLocal storm report, May 12, 6:10 PM CST, 5 hours 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
710 PM CDT Sun May 12 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1118 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 WSW Zion Hill 31.92N 89.81W
05/09/2024 Simpson MS Public
Power lines were downed along US 49.
&&
DLThunderstorm Wind, Catahoula
- When
- May 12, 11:25 PM CST to 11:34 PM CST
- Where
- Catahoula County, 3.31 mi NW of Sicily Is to 3.83 mi NNE of Foules
- Measured
- 75 kt (86 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $100,000
- Crop damage
- $50,000
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 31.882, -91.712
A swath of significant wind damage began in southern Franklin Parish and continued into far northern parts of Catahoula Parish including around the LA Highway 913, LA Highway 8, and Sicily Island areas. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down, and large areas of corn were laid flat. Estimated peak wind speeds were 80 to 100 mph through the swath. The swath ranged from 5 to 10 miles wide and was approximately 35 miles long across portions of Franklin, Catahoula, and Tensas parishes.
Thunderstorm Wind, Tensas
- When
- May 12, 11:44 PM CST to 11:58 PM CST
- Where
- Tensas County, 1.36 mi ESE of Cooter Pt to 3.28 mi ENE of St Joseph
- Measured
- 85 kt (98 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $100,000
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 31.920, -91.500
A swath of significant wind damage began in southern Franklin Parish and continued into across Tensas Parish including through the Saint Joseph area. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Estimated peak wind speeds were 80 to 100 mph through the swath. The swath ranged from 5 to 10 miles wide and was approximately 35 miles long across portions of Franklin, Catahoula, and Tensas parishes.
Thunderstorm Wind, Franklin
- When
- May 13, 12:21 AM CST to 12:37 AM CST
- Where
- Franklin County, 3.52 mi E of Extension to 4.37 mi SE of Griffin
- Measured
- 85 kt (98 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $250,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 31.971, -91.760
A swath of significant wind damage began in the southern part of Franklin Parish including through the Wisner area. Numerous trees were uprooted or damaged, mobile homes damaged, and numerous power poles were snapped at their bases. Estimated peak wind speeds were 80 to 100 mph through the swath. The swath ranged from 5 to 10 miles wide and was approximately 35 miles long across portions of Franklin, Catahoula, and Tensas parishes.
- 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.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Louisiana, May 12 to 16, 2024$793,000 · EF2 · 88 events
- Cold in California, May 12, 20241 death · 1 event
- Flash Flooding and Hail in Texas, May 12 to 16, 2024$16,000 · 2.5 in hail · 34 events
- Hail and Strong Wind in Oklahoma, May 12, 2024$15,000 · 1.75 in hail · 8 events
- Hail in Texas, May 12, 20241 in hail · 6 events
- Damaging Winds in Wisconsin, May 12, 2024$8,000 · 50 kt wind · 4 events
- Hail in Kansas, May 12, 20241 in hail · 3 events
- Heavy Snow in Colorado, May 12, 20242 events
- Hail in Texas, May 12, 20242 in hail · 2 events
- Marine Thunderstorm Wind in North Atlantic Coastal Waters, May 12, 20241 event
- Tornado in Nebraska, May 12, 20241 event
- Hail in Colorado, May 12, 20240.88 in hail · 1 event
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: 1194838, 1195718, 1194839.