An active weather pattern set the stage for a couple rounds of severe weather in mid February. A large upper trough was situated over the Rockies and associated surface lows moved through and just north of the area.
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.
An active weather pattern set the stage for a couple rounds of severe weather in mid February. A large upper trough was situated over the Rockies and associated surface lows moved through and just north of the area. This pattern supported thunderstorms across southern portions of the area which produced wind damage and a few tornadoes on February 12th. A more potent system impacted the area on February 15th where more widespread severe weather unfolded.
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 Feb 12, 5:50 AM CST, 2 hours 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
550 AM CST Wed Feb 12 2025
...New AVIATION...
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 409 AM CST Wed Feb 12 2025
Through tonight:
An active 12-18 hours is on tap with potential for flash flooding
and severe weather through the early evening hours. Early this
morning, moderate rain continues to spread across northwestern
portions of the forecast area. Further south, areas which have had
a break over much of the overnight are beginning to see rain and
some thunderstorms increase as the next upper disturbance
approaches the area. Since yesterday, observed 2-3" of rain have
fallen in a corridor from near Monroe LA to Belzoni to Winona to
West Point. Outside of this area, amounts vary greatly with 1-2"
amounts common north of a Natchez to Jackson to De Kalb line. This
has lowered flash flood guidance in many areas, particularly
across the northern half of the area.
Looking ahead through today, convection developing with the
approach of a strong low level jet upstream from Southeast TX into
LA will build into central and southern portions of the forecast
area this morning, setting up our next SW-NE corridors of heavy
rainfall to come. Right now, it appears the higher rain amounts
today may occur just south of where the highest rainfall totals
have been so far. While this would be good news for those areas,
it does not mean areas further south are out of the woods.
Sufficient rain has already fallen in some areas further south
that higher rain rates today could still result in flooding. After
the morning round of heavy rain, another round of storms is
increasingly possible through the afternoon which could also
result in flooding issues. We will maintain the going Flood Watch
and also expand into the Meridian area to align more closely with
where greater rain amounts are anticipated today. If trends
through the morning hours are positive, we might be able to back
off on the Flood Watch in some of our northwestern areas early in
the day.
Turning to the severe threat, we're beginning the day with stable
conditions across essentially the entire area. Thus, convection
moving into the area within the next few hours with our morning
round of storms will be elevated, at least initially. However, as
a warm front lifts northward through the morning hours, it is
possible some of these early day storms could become surface based
as a more unstable airmass advects into the area. Therefore, an
isolated severe threat could exist before these storms move out of
the area by around midday. The evolution of these morning storms
will play a big role in severe potential for this afternoon, when
another round of storms is expected to develop. If morning storms
are so numerous and organized in such a way that stable outflow
holds the unstable air further south, the severe threat will be
more limited - at least geographically - during the afternoon and
evening. However, if the main corridor of storms this morning
tends to focus further north, closer to I-20, this would make it
more likely for the airmass to recover later today over a larger
portion of the area. Uncertainty over how much of the area might
be impacted by the next round of storms aside, the afternoon
storms are more likely to have instability to work with while
shear remains rather strong. These storms also have greater
potential to be discrete, with sufficient low level flow for
damaging wind gusts and sufficient low level turning, especially
along the warm front, for tornadoes to be possible. We also can't
rule out marginally severe hail, particularly with any discrete
storms. The cold front will ultimately begin to make greater
headway through the area beginning around sunset, ending rain
chances and the storm threat from west to east before midnight.
/DL/
Thursday through Tuesday:
Surface ridging will provide a brief break from the rainfall
Thursday and Friday as it traverses over the central CONUS.
Southerly flow will help Gulf moisture return to the region and
bring afternoon temps to the lower 70s to near 80 degrees by
Saturday.
Although warm temps are expected Saturday, rain will also return
as well as an upper-lvl trough progresses east, pushing a cold
front into the area. With mid-60 dewpoints, sufficient shear and
instability in place, strong to severe storms will be possible.
Continue to check back for updates as this system is several days
away. Depending on rainfall amounts from the next couple of days,
flooding could be possible with this system as soils will be
saturated and additional 1-2 inches of rain will be likely from
this system.
Post frontal passage will bring a cooler start to the new week.
Afternoon highs will range from the upper 40s in the northwest to
lower 60s in the southeast and overnight lows are expected to drop
to the upper 20s and lower 30s. Cold overnight lows could lead to
a widespread freeze Monday and Tuesday morning. /SW/
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 550 AM CST Wed Feb 12 2025
Poor flying conditions exist across most of the area this morning,
with ceilings and visibilities ranging as low as LIFR/IFR within a
broad area of SHRA and embedded TS moving across the area.
Widespread SHRA and TS activity will continue through most of the
day, and some storms could be severe with 50 kt wind gusts and
tornadoes possible this afternoon. Rain will end from west to east
this evening as a cold front moves across the area. Low clouds
will persist through the remainder of the TAF period, however,
with ceilings expected to remain in the IFR/MVFR range. /DL/
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson 72 42 53 37 / 100 80 0 0
Meridian 72 44 58 34 / 100 90 0 0
Vicksburg 70 40 51 36 / 100 50 0 0
Hattiesburg 82 50 65 39 / 90 90 0 0
Natchez 75 43 53 39 / 100 60 0 0
Greenville 62 35 45 32 / 100 20 0 0
Greenwood 67 37 49 32 / 100 60 0 0
&&
.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...Flood Watch through this afternoon for MSZ019-025>057-059-060.
LA...Flood Watch through this afternoon for LAZ007>009-015-016-
023>026.
AR...Flood Watch through this afternoon for ARZ074-075.
&&
DL/SWThe Columbus AFB radar (KGWX), 105 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:38 UTC.
54 thunderstorm wind, 5 tornado, 2 flood, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Stewart road closed due to high water from South Union Road to Chester Mills Road due to swelling of Besa Chitto Creek.
Creek swelling resulted in high water and much of Henderson road to be closed.
Trees and powerlines were blown down along McNair Road.
A couple of trees were blown down.
A brief EF-0 tornado touched down in Marion County on the east side of the City of Columbia at the intersection of Columbia Purvis Rd and HWY-98. The initial damage started with Beacon Hardware Supply with roof damage. The tornado then moved northeast through the Lakeview community. The tornado caused minor roof damage to numerous homes, scattered tree damage and collapsed a few unattached sheds. The tornado ended in the woods just northeast of Lakeview Dr. Peak winds are estimated to be 85 mph with a peak width of 75 yards for the nearly 2 mile track.
A section of Cade Ln was flooded.
Tree down on Smith county road 79.
Tree down on Smith county road 90.
A few trees down along Cold Springs and Cothren Road.
Sporadic tree damage, downed or broken large limbs, along a path.
An EF-0 tornado developed to the west of US Highway 45 just south of County Road 266 and moved northeast across several county roads and the highway. It broke the tops off and large branches from trees along its path and then dissipated shortly after it crossed the intersection of Highway 45 and County Road 260. Maximum estimated winds were 80 mph and maximum width was 50 yds.
A part of a road was washed our near county road 7. Both culverts were washed-out and a vehicle was pushed off the road.
Sporadic tree damage, a few uprooted trees and a few tops broken out of pines.
Observed wind gust at GLH Airport.
Observed gust at site KRNV.
Tree down across parts of Highway 7.
Multiple downed trees and power lines. Some trees blocked roads.
Trees and power lines were blown down along Woodhill Drive.
Trees were blown down and some power lines. Areas impacted were Montebello Dr, Southwind road and Kingston road.
Several trees and a few power lines down.
Trees were blown down on Dennis Crossroads road.
Trees were blown down.
Some trees down and a few power lines.
Trees blown down on Bowling Green Road.
This brief EF-0 tornado began between South Palestine Road and Oakley Palestine Road where it snapped very small, young trees and broke pine branches. It moved northeast towards Midway Road where the concentrated corridor of weak, sporadic tree snaps was still evident. The tornado dissipated shortly after. The maximum wind speed was 70 mph. The maximum width was 50 yards.
A tree was blown down along Midway road.
A tree was blown down which took down power lines along Seale road.
A tree was blown down across Green Gable road.
A few trees were blown down across Highway 407.
Several trees and power lines were blown down in the county.
A tree was blown down across MS Highway 35, a vehicle hit that tree.
Some trees and power lines were blown down with some trees blocking roads.
A tree was blown down along Highway 475.
Several trees were downed across Attala County, including on MS Highway 12 W, blocking the entrance to the Kosciusko Airport, on MS Highway 35 S near Lawrence Grocery, on MS Highway 43 near Shady Grove Church, on MS Highway 19 south of Kosciusko, and on the Natchez Trace Parkway south of Kosciusko.
Multiple trees and some utility lines were downed across Choctaw County, some blocking roads.
A house was damaged by a fallen tree on Twin Oaks St.
Awning was damaged at the Sonic Drive-In.
A tree was blown down on Sturgis Maben road.
Trees were blown down at Red Dog road, Gross road and at MS Highway 429.
Several trees downed across Simpson County, with a few downed utility lines.
A few trees and power lines were blown down in the north part of the county.
Trees were blown down across Sturgis road.
A tree and powerline were downed on a vehicle on Critz St. Tree was downed at S Montgomery St and Grand Ridge road.
A tree was blown down on Highway 16 W near Walmart and a tree was down on a house on William St.
Trees and utility lines were blown down in primarily the northwest portion of Scott County.
Trees downed across Ellison Ridge road.
Trees were downed on Curtis road, Dogwood Blvd, and Windchase Dr in the Columbus area.
A few trees were down on Highway 19 S and county road 448 in Neshoba County.
Part of a tin roof peeled back on a home along County Road 347.
A power line was downed on Jensen St.
Trees downed along E Broad St and MS Highway 15.
Several power lines were blown down.
A few trees and power lines were blown down.
This EF-1 tornado began northeast of the town of Decatur and did mainly tree damage. Pines had been uprooted and large branches had been broken. Tin was peeled off the roof of a barn as well. The tornado then produced more intense tree damage in a concentrated corridor and knocked down power poles. It continued to snap and uproot softwood trees as it moved eastward. A carport was shifted and roof damage was evident on a home. As it moved east, it encountered another home and peeled tin off of about 40% of the roof. The tornado crossed into Lauderdale County shortly after it crossed HWY 491. As it moved into the town of Collinsville, it encountered a subdivision where minor tree and shingle damage was noted. It moved right through the center of Collinsville where more intense damage was noted. The roof of a car wash was folded upward in half and hardwood trees were snapped and splintered. A pine tree was felled onto a home which resulted in roof and awning damage. The tornado then approached Okatibbee Lake, with uprooted pines noted in a concentrated corridor. Damaged pines were also visible through camera across the lake. The tornado crossed the lake and then continued to damage mainly pines in Okatibbee park, with damage to the park station noted. It continued to do minor tree damage and damaged a barn and a carport as it jogged northeast. It dissipated shortly after it crossed Gum Log Road. Its maximum wind speed was 95 mph and total path length 17 miles across parts of Newton and Lauderdale counties.
This EF-1 tornado began northeast of the town of Decatur and did mainly tree damage. Pines had been uprooted and large branches had been broken. Tin was peeled off the roof of a barn as well. The tornado then produced more intense tree damage in a concentrated corridor and knocked down power poles. It continued to snap and uproot softwood trees as it moved eastward. A carport was shifted and roof damage was evident on a home. As it moved east, it encountered another home and peeled tin off of about 40% of the roof. The tornado crossed into Lauderdale County shortly after it crossed HWY 491. As it moved into the town of Collinsville, it encountered a subdivision where minor tree and shingle damage was noted. It moved right through the center of Collinsville where more intense damage was noted. The roof of a car wash was folded upward in half and hardwood trees were snapped and splintered. A pine tree was felled onto a home which resulted in roof and awning damage. The tornado then approached Okatibbee Lake, with uprooted pines noted in a concentrated corridor. Damaged pines were also visible through camera across the lake. The tornado crossed the lake and then continued to damage mainly pines in Okatibbee park, with damage to the park station noted. It continued to do minor tree damage and damaged a barn and a carport as it jogged northeast. It dissipated shortly after it crossed Gum Log Road. Its maximum wind speed was 95 mph and total path length 17 miles across parts of Newton and Lauderdale counties.
Several trees were blown down.
Multiple trees and utility lines downed in Kemper County, mainly in the area south of De Kalb.
Several trees and utility lines downed across the county. Some across roads and a few on homes.
Measured at KMEI airport.
Peak wind gust measured at KNMM.
Part of the roof of a mobile home on Aycock road was peeled back.
Several trees were blown down.
Numerous trees were blown down in Hattiesburg including one which fell onto a house on Azalea Drive.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Mississippi, 2025Warnings in Mississippi, February 2025
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: 1249198, 1249199, 1248732, 1248733, 1241094, 1248786, 1248756, 1248757, 1248771, 1248777, 1241101, 1248785, 1248784, 1249027, 1249030, 1249031, 1249037, 1249038, 1249044, 1249065, 1249061, 1249082, 1249069, 1249086, 1241102, 1249101, 1249095, 1249109, 1249110, 1249111, 1249133, 1249112, 1249114, 1249125, 1249137, 1249138, 1249142, 1249139, 1249151, 1249181, and more.