Tornado and Hail in Mississippi, March 23 to 24, 2025

Name: Tornado and Hail in Mississippi, March 23 to 24, 2025
Start: 2025-03-23T16:37
End: 2025-03-24T01:31
Location: Mississippi

March 23 to 24, 2025 · NWS JAN · 18 events in 11 counties and zones

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: 0
Property damage: $337,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 18

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 round of severe storms developed during the afternoon of March 23rd and persisted into the evening hours mainly across the northern half of the area. Several supercell storms developed initially, then grew upscale into more storm clusters and ultimately dissipated as a linear system. This main hazard from this event was hail, some large up to 2 inches, then a few instances of wind damage and a lone tornado.

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 23, 1:55 PM CST, 2 hours 42 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 23, 1:55 PM CST, 2 hours 42 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Jackson MS
255 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

...New DISCUSSION...

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 255 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

Through Tonight:

No changes are needed with this update to the current forecast for
this afternoon into overnight. The Slight Risk for severe
thunderstorms remains in place, with possible damaging wind, large
hail, and even isolated tornadoes with severe storms that develop.
Latest observations and satellite imagery show the continued
convective evolution of cumulus deck across the area as temperatures
have warmed into the upper 70s and lower 80s. A few initial showers
have already developed. The mixed layer atop this moist boundary
layer will support stronger updrafts as this afternoon and evening
progress. Convergence in vicinity of the approaching cold front and
with some more subtle boundaries of convergence will be the areas of
focus for showers and storms into the overnight. 700-500mb lapse
rates of 7.5-8.0 C/km are in place atop the corridor of 1500-2500
J/kg MLCAPE extending from South Texas into Northwest Mississippi,
and vertical totals of 28-30 align with large hail potential.
Upscale growth from afternoon/evening thunderstorms will result in
better damaging wind gust and isolated tornado potential along cold
pool boundaries, especially if any bowing segment can become more
favorably aligned with low-level wind shear.

POPs will largely drop off by Monday morning, however the lingering
front may keep some chance for showers in the Pine Belt of Southeast
MS through late morning.

Monday through Sunday:

We are starting to enter the time of year where these fronts don't
quite clear the region and better upper-level forcing pulls
northward. The upper-level pattern through the remainder of the week
will feature western ridging and eastern troughing with northwest
flow between. Meanwhile at the surface, moist unstable air will
remain around the western Gulf, ready to be pulled northward again
with any passing wave. Models hint at potential disturbances with
the frontal zone lingering around the Gulf Coast region through
midweek, and this can sometimes allow upstream MCS thunderstorm
activity to propagate southeast into our area. Otherwise, it will be
in the Friday-Saturday time frame when the upper-level pattern
breaks down some and allows a stronger weave to move across the
central CONUS and bring better chances for thunderstorms. Severe
storms cannot be ruled out at the end of this week, though
confidence in coverage and timing was too low to include in the most
recent Days 4-7 severe weather outlook. /NF/

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1244 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

Cloud cover has increased through this morning with diminished
flight categories due to lowered ceilings. Gusty south winds to 25
kts are expected to continue until after 03Z when a cold front
will result in a wind shift to northerly as it progresses
southward. Showers and thunderstorms are expected in the vicinity
of the front with a possibility for severe wind and hail.
Conditions improve behind the front but low clouds and impacts to
ceilings are likely to persist until late in the TAF period. /86/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson       58  75  52  81 /  90  10   0   0
Meridian      58  75  50  81 /  90  20   0   0
Vicksburg     57  75  52  82 /  90   0   0   0
Hattiesburg   62  79  54  84 /  80  50   0   0
Natchez       59  77  55  81 /  80  20   0   0
Greenville    51  71  51  80 /  90   0   0   0
Greenwood     53  73  51  80 /  90   0   0   0

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...None.
LA...None.
AR...None.
&&

NF/LP

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 23, 3:25 PM CST, 1 hour 12 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
425 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

ARZ075-LAZ007-008-015-232230-
Chicot AR-Richland LA-Morehouse LA-West Carroll LA-
425 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN CHICOT COUNTY...
CENTRAL MOREHOUSE...NORTHEASTERN RICHLAND AND WEST CARROLL PARISHES
THROUGH 530 PM CDT...

At 425 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Oak Ridge, or 9 miles southeast of Bastrop, moving northeast at 40
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Mer Rouge around 430 PM CDT.
  Goodwill around 440 PM CDT.
  Pioneer, Forest, and Darnell around 450 PM CDT.
  Oak Grove around 455 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3301 9151 3301 9146 3304 9146 3308 9139
      3301 9123 3300 9126 3296 9128 3294 9131
      3288 9131 3284 9135 3275 9134 3269 9138
      3268 9140 3261 9139 3258 9145 3254 9186
      3262 9192 3266 9191 3266 9194 3271 9199
TIME...MOT...LOC 2125Z 246DEG 34KT 3266 9181

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

SW

Special weather statement, Mar 23, 3:52 PM CST, 45 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
452 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

MSZ047-048-053-232245-
Warren MS-Hinds MS-Claiborne MS-
452 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN WARREN...
NORTHEASTERN CLAIBORNE AND WESTERN HINDS COUNTIES THROUGH 545 PM
CDT...

At 452 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Reganton, or 15 miles south of Vicksburg, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Newman, Utica, and Learned around 500 PM CDT.
  Edwards around 510 PM CDT.
  Raymond around 515 PM CDT.
  Bolton around 520 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3249 9056 3222 9028 3205 9069 3205 9072
      3204 9072 3201 9078 3213 9090
TIME...MOT...LOC 2152Z 228DEG 33KT 3212 9076

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

EC

Special weather statement, Mar 23, 3:53 PM CST, 44 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
453 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

MSZ048-053-054-232300-
Copiah MS-Hinds MS-Claiborne MS-
453 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CLAIBORNE...SOUTH
CENTRAL HINDS AND NORTHWESTERN COPIAH COUNTIES THROUGH 600 PM CDT...

At 453 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Peyton, or 12 miles east of Port Gibson, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Carpenter around 500 PM CDT.
  Dentville around 505 PM CDT.
  Dry Grove and Crystal Springs around 535 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3182 9085 3183 9084 3183 9085 3194 9092
      3221 9031 3193 9026 3179 9080 3179 9082
TIME...MOT...LOC 2153Z 241DEG 24KT 3191 9079

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

SW

Special weather statement, Mar 23, 4:09 PM CST, 28 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
509 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

MSZ019-034-035-232315-
Washington MS-Humphreys MS-Sunflower MS-
509 PM CDT Sun Mar 23 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SUNFLOWER...CENTRAL WASHINGTON
AND NORTHWESTERN HUMPHREYS COUNTIES THROUGH 615 PM CDT...

At 508 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Wayside, or 8 miles northwest of Hollandale, moving northeast at 35
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Arcola, Darlove, Estill, Hollandale, Tribbett, and Leland around
  515 PM CDT.
  Holly Ridge and Indianola around 530 PM CDT.
  Inverness around 535 PM CDT.
  Moorhead around 545 PM CDT.
  Sunflower around 555 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight CDT for
southeastern Arkansas...and central, north central and northwestern
Mississippi.

&&

LAT...LON 3316 9045 3314 9100 3324 9106 3328 9105
      3328 9109 3330 9110 3353 9080 3353 9076
      3356 9076 3362 9068 3362 9066 3363 9066
      3379 9045
TIME...MOT...LOC 2208Z 243DEG 29KT 3326 9096

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

EC

The radar

The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 45 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:36 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 hail, 2 lightning, 2 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Hinds

When: March 23, 4:37 PM CST
Where: Hinds County, 0.58 mi E of Bolton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.350, -90.460

Penny sized hail fell in Bolton.

Lightning, Copiah

When: March 23, 4:50 PM CST to 4:51 PM CST
Where: Copiah County, 3.62 mi NE of Crystal Spgs
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.020, -90.330

Home struck by lightning along Upton Road. Minor damage was reported.

Hail, Bolivar

When: March 23, 5:23 PM CST to 5:24 PM CST
Where: Bolivar County, 0.61 mi E of Benoit
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.651, -91.010

Penny to quarter size hail fell in Benoit.

Thunderstorm Wind, Leflore

When: March 23, 5:44 PM CST
Where: Leflore County, 1.38 mi N of Quito
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.470, -90.320

Three power poles were knocked down near Itta Bena.

Hail, Madison

When: March 23, 5:45 PM CST to 5:46 PM CST
Where: Madison County, 5.33 mi NW of Truitt
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 32.850, -89.970

Half dollar size hail reported near Pickens.

Hail, Rankin

When: March 23, 6:00 PM CST to 6:03 PM CST
Where: Rankin County, 2.72 mi SW of Anse
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 32.090, -90.130

Half dollar size hail reported near Florence.

Hail, Leflore

When: March 23, 6:04 PM CST
Where: Leflore County, 1.38 mi S of Greenwood
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 33.500, -90.180

Quarter size hail reported near Greenwood.

Hail, Attala

When: March 23, 6:15 PM CST to 6:18 PM CST
Where: Attala County, 1.38 mi N of Wamba
Measured: 2 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.050, -89.620

Two inch hail fell around Kosciusko.

Hail, Attala

When: March 23, 6:15 PM CST to 6:32 PM CST
Where: Attala County, 1.23 mi WSW of Kosciusko to 0.62 mi NE of Ethel
Measured: 1 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 33.043, -89.600

A swath of nickel to quarter size hail fell from Kosciusko to Ethel.

Tornado, Sharkey

When: March 23, 6:25 PM CST to 6:30 PM CST
Where: Sharkey County, 2.52 mi SSW of Lorenzen to 0.38 mi WNW of Lorenzen
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.42 mi
Path width: 50 yd
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 32.919, -90.924

An EF1 tornado touched down near Rolling Fork causing some minor tree damage along Indian Bayou Road. It then moved northeastward into the farmlands between Indian Bayou Road and Hwy 16. The tornado struck a home at the end of Indian Bayou Road along Hwy 16 causing some roof damage and damage to a small storage building. Maximum winds were 85-90 mph. Maximum path width 50 yards. Path length 2.4 miles.

Hail, Carroll

When: March 23, 6:27 PM CST to 6:29 PM CST
Where: Carroll County, Carrollton
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.500, -89.920

Half dollar size hail reported near Carroll.

Hail, Washington

When: March 23, 6:30 PM CST to 6:48 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 0.27 mi WNW of Brighton to 1.5 mi SSW of Heads
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.482, -91.004

A swath of quarter to golf ball size hail from around the Greenville Airport to near Leland.

Hail, Montgomery

When: March 23, 6:48 PM CST to 6:50 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 0.58 mi W of Winna Montgomery Co
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.470, -89.740

Half dollar size hail reported in Winona.

Hail, Leflore

When: March 23, 7:33 PM CST to 7:37 PM CST
Where: Leflore County, 0.9 mi NE of Rising Sun to 1.96 mi SW of Browning
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.480, -90.210

Quarter size hail reported near Rising Sun and across the south side of Greenwood.

Hail, Washington

When: March 23, 7:36 PM CST to 7:38 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 4.11 mi E of Longwood
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.160, -91.000

Quarter size hail reported north of Erwin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: March 23, 7:48 PM CST to 7:50 PM CST
Where: Washington County, 1.16 mi E of Hollandale
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.170, -90.850

Homes in Hollandale sustained shingle damage.

Hail, Montgomery

When: March 23, 7:50 PM CST to 7:58 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 1.15 mi E of Eskridge to 0.98 mi N of Spring Hill
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 33.580, -89.700

Quarter to golf ball size hail fell near Duck Hill.

Lightning, Hinds

When: March 24, 1:30 AM CST to 1:31 AM CST
Where: Hinds County, 0.9 mi NE of Jackson Hawkins Fld
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.340, -90.210

A house was struck by lightning and caught fire.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
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.
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

Every storm in Mississippi in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Mississippi, 2025 Warnings in Mississippi, March 2025

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: 1258700, 1258126, 1258095, 1258132, 1258105, 1258110, 1258114, 1258115, 1258116, 1258131, 1258117, 1258120, 1258121, 1258122, 1258124, 1258133, 1258125, 1258128.