A bowing MCS entered northwest Mississippi during the morning hours with plentiful instability. This segment resulted in damaging winds before quickly weakening as it headed east.
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 MEG wrote it up.
A bowing MCS entered northwest Mississippi during the morning hours with plentiful instability. This segment resulted in damaging winds before quickly weakening as it headed east.
Moisture surged northward as a warm front lifted across the area, which enhanced atmospheric recovery. An increasing low-level jet enhanced this risk. A supercell was able to form and flourish across Arkansas and eventually track into north Mississippi, resulting in significant wind damage and a brief tornado during the evening hours.
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 Memphis, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 18, 5:33 AM CST, 2 hours 9 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Memphis TN 633 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 628 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025 - An unsettled weather pattern will continue through Tuesday with chances for showers and thunderstorm each day. A few thunderstorms could be strong to severe today and tonight with a greater chance of severe thunderstorms on Tuesday. - Cooler and less humid conditions will follow for Wednesday through Friday behind a cold front. - Saturday will see temperatures warming up some with a slight chance of thunderstorms returning to the region. && .DISCUSSION... (Today through Saturday) Issued at 310 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025 Skies remain cloudy across much of the Mid-South early this morning with temperatures in the mid 60s to mid 70s. A few thunderstorms are moving across portions of north Mississippi with some strong/severe storms tracking across the extreme southern part of the Mid-South. Some isolated thunderstorms have recently developed across portions of northeast Arkansas. THe thunderstorms in Mississippi are moving along a weak frontal boundary. This frontal boundary is expected to move slowly northward this morning with additional showers and thunderstorms expected to develop along the boundary today. There could be some strong/severe thunderstorms that develop with damaging winds and large hail as the main threats. Temperatures will remain on the warm side today with highs in the low to mid 80s. As the frontal boundary continues to inch slowly northward tonight, additional showers and thunderstorms may develop along it. Strong/severe thunderstorms can't be ruled out tonight. Temperatures tonight will remain warm with lows Monday morning in the mid 60s to lower 70s. The front will continue to lift north on Monday with any showers and thunderstorms that develop remaining along and north of the boundary. Strong/severe thunderstorms could develop on Monday with damaging winds and large hail as the main threats. By Monday night, low pressure will develop across northern Oklahoma and move northeast. A cold front will accompany the low and reach western Arkansas by Tuesday morning. Showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead of this front and move into the Mid-South Monday night. This cold front will move across the region Tuesday afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms are expected to develop along and ahead of the front. Some thunderstorms are expected to be severe with tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail possible mainly Tuesday afternoon and evening. Once the cold front clears the region Wednesday morning, cooler and drier air will move into the region. Temperatures will be below normal for Wednesday through Friday with highs Thursday and Friday in the 70s across the entire Mid-South. A warm front will approach the region from the west on Saturday bringing warmer air and possibly some showers and thunderstorms. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 628 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025 A complex of storms remains situated over central Arkansas this morning, moving southeast. Storms will enter the airspace within the next hour or so, prompting the need for TEMPO and PROB30 groups at all sites except for TUP. Another shot at showers and thunderstorms exists this afternoon. However, confidence in development and spatial coverage is low. Opted to not include additional TS mention until the overnight period, when conditions become more favorable. This may be changed in future TAF cycles. Otherwise, expect VFR CIGs outside of thunderstorms and for winds to remain out of the south at 6-9 kts. ANS && .MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. MO...None. MS...None. TN...None. && PUBLIC FORECAST...ARS AVIATION...ANS
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
242 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
ARZ026>028-180815-
Poinsett AR-Craighead AR-Mississippi AR-
242 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CRAIGHEAD...
NORTHEASTERN POINSETT AND NORTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES THROUGH
315 AM CDT...
At 242 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Caraway, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea 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.
Locations impacted include...
Three Way, Dell, Dearman, West Ridge, Eastview, Lennie, Vail, Big
Lake, Etowah, Manila, Hightower, Tuckertown, Osceola, Lepanto,
Luxora, Mandalay, Woodland Corner, Chilson, Caraway, and Alto.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3600 9006 3576 8985 3574 8987 3576 8991
3573 8996 3571 8996 3556 9034 3572 9045
TIME...MOT...LOC 0742Z 238DEG 29KT 3570 9029
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
SchlessigerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
333 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
MSZ013-015-016-180900-
Lafayette MS-Pontotoc MS-Lee MS-
333 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN LAFAYETTE...
PONTOTOC AND SOUTHWESTERN LEE COUNTIES THROUGH 400 AM CDT...
At 333 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Randolph, or 9 miles west of Pontotoc, moving east at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Saltillo, Endville, Cherry Creek, Chiwapa, Algoma, Pannell, Delay,
Plantersville, Trace State Park, Sherman, Flowerdale, Randolph, Rough
Edge, Nixon, Beech Springs, Pontotoc, Belden, Tupelo, Toccopola, and
Palmetto.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3416 8925 3416 8930 3429 8931 3437 8890
3436 8883 3438 8882 3441 8866 3416 8864
3410 8924
TIME...MOT...LOC 0833Z 260DEG 50KT 3422 8917
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SchlessigerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
348 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
MSZ015-016-022-023-180915-
Pontotoc MS-Lee MS-Calhoun MS-Chickasaw MS-
348 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CHICKASAW...CALHOUN...
SOUTHEASTERN PONTOTOC AND SOUTHWESTERN LEE COUNTIES THROUGH 415 AM
CDT...
At 348 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Vardaman, or 10 miles west of Houston, moving east at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Pittsboro, Slate Springs, Thorn, Egypt, Reid, Sabougla, Loyd, Pyland,
Vardaman, Woodland, Thelma, McCondy, Atlanta, Retreat, Okolona,
Leotis, Dentontown, Buena Vista, Sparta, and Bounds.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3387 8951 3402 8935 3415 8872 3381 8873
3381 8893 3375 8893 3375 8903 3374 8904
3374 8919 3372 8919 3372 8951
TIME...MOT...LOC 0848Z 255DEG 49KT 3390 8918
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SchlessigerSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
414 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
MSZ023-024-180945-
Monroe MS-Chickasaw MS-
414 AM CDT Sun May 18 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EASTERN CHICKASAW AND MONROE
COUNTIES THROUGH 445 AM CDT...
At 414 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Trebloc, or 8 miles southwest of Okolona, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Quincy, Aberdeen, Smithville, Egypt, Prairie, Wise Gap, Wren, Strong,
McCondy, Muldon, Okolona, Gattman, Leotis, Buena Vista, Binford,
Sipsey Fork, New Hamilton, Becker, New Wren, and Splunge.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3367 8850 3367 8849 3368 8850 3368 8872
3381 8872 3381 8890 3408 8888 3409 8821
3375 8825 3374 8833 3372 8833 3368 8837
3369 8839 3367 8842 3368 8843 3366 8846
3366 8850 3365 8851
TIME...MOT...LOC 0914Z 265DEG 53KT 3389 8882
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SchlessigerThe Memphis radar (KNQA), 121 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:43 UTC.
23 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Trees down on Morrow Rd, near Hwy 35.
Several power poles down on New Africa Rd.
Multiple trees down on Main St in Charleston.
Trees down on Ford Hill Road.
Tree down on Fell Cove.
A couple of broken traffic lights on Casino Strip Blvd and Hwy 304 Scenic and Kirby Rd.
Numerous utility poles down along Hwy 61, near Star Landing Road.
Multiple trees downed on Wilson Ridge.
Widespread straight line winds with estimated speeds of 80 to 85 mph occurred elsewhere across parts of Hernando.
Several power poles down along Hwy 61.
A tree fell on a home causing 1 injury.
Several trees down near Tara Dr.
Trees and powerlines down along Fogg Rd.
A short-lived and narrow EF-1 tornado with 95 mph winds touched down on Thousand Oaks Drive between Oak Bridge Drive and Jaybird Road. Damage consisted of uprooted and snapped trees in this area. The tornado dissipated east of Jaybird.
Several trees uprooted along Malone Rd S, near Holly Springs Rd.
Large tree downed across Pleasant Hill Rd near Laughter Rd.
Several trees uprooted along Holly Springs Rd, near the community of Cockrum.
Tree down across Pleasant Hill Rd in Olive Branch.
Large tree down across driveway on Strickland Rd.
Tree down on a vehicle.
Large tree snapped along Hwy 5 in Hickory Flat.
Numerous trees down across Hickory Flat.
Trees down and a roof was blown off a home on CR 151.
Trees down in Oldham.
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, May 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: 1260323, 1260324, 1260326, 1260328, 1260329, 1260330, 1260331, 1260335, 1260348, 1260341, 1260346, 1260333, 1260342, 1260322, 1261824, 1260334, 1261825, 1260339, 1260340, 1260343, 1260345, 1260338, 1260336, 1260337.