A few severe storms produced damaging winds which downed trees across portions of central and southern Mississippi. A brief, weak tornado also occurred near Midway Road in Hinds County.
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 few severe storms produced damaging winds which downed trees across portions of central and southern Mississippi. A brief, weak tornado also occurred near Midway Road in Hinds County.
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 21, 11:34 PM CST, 3 hours 6 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jackson MS 1234 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... - There will be a marginal risk for a few brief weak tornadoes over southeast to eastern portions of the area early Friday morning. - The potential for heavy rainfall and flooding will continue through the weekend, peaking Sunday and Monday. - We will be monitoring the potential for additional heavy rainfall and flash flooding next week. && .MESOSCALE UPDATE... Issued at 851 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026 Shortwave trough is analyzed over the Gulf Coast region, keeping southerly flow and feed of moist advection of near 2 inch precipitable water (PWs) across the region. Anticyclonic flow is situated along the frontal zone in the Delta, with areas of mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) enhancing convection. Localized flash flooding cannot be ruled out, mainly through this evening, with potential for additional redevelopment overnight. With wet ground and moist boundary layer, patches of fog cannot be ruled out, especially where rain coverage decreases. There remains potential that as two stout shortwaves swing through the ArkLaTex into the Gulf Coast states, enhanced MCV potential will lead to an increase in the low-level jet (around 25-30kts). This could spark some cells that could exhibit some rotation and low probs of tornadoes overnight. Ongoing severe and flash flood graphics in HWO look good. Seasonably warm lows are expected overnight, some 4F to 8F above normal (64F to 70F). Updates were sent out earlier. /DC/ && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 345 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026 In the near term, the next in a series of weak MCVs has combined with a very moist airmass (precipitable water near 2 inches and surface dewpoints in the lower 70s) and peak heating to initiate another round of showers/storms with intense rainfall rates this afternoon. Following days of heavy rainfall, some locations are becoming more flood prone and sensitive to additional heavy rainfall, and so have continued the limited flash flood threat messaging in our HWO graphics. Flash flood threats will tend to peak during the day into the evening, but persistent convergent zones that focus intense rainfall rates for long durations could develop at just about anytime. In addition, an MCV forecast to cross the area late tonight into Friday appears it will enhance the low level shear/vorticity in a very moist boundary layer making any convective updrafts more prone to spinning up weak and brief tornadoes. After assessment of the near term guidance low level shear parameters and convective evolution, it appears that locations along the I-59 corridor will have peak tornado threat during the 4 am to 10 am time frame. An additional limited flash flood threat will accompany this MCV as well. Looking ahead, an unusually long duration of wet weather will continue for the foreseeable future as a large and persistent trough to ridge longwave pattern remains anchored over the CONUS. This will continue to bring our region a steady stream of subtropical moisture with seasonably high precipitable water values, and multiple upper level perturbations that will provide lift and help initiate additional rounds of convective rainfall. Once we get to about Sunday, a greater threat for flash flooding should evolve as a more favorable set-up and couple upper level jet interaction may team up with the very moist air to bring a more widespread heavy rainfall threat. As of now this appears it will be over mainly western/southern portions of the area and have included an "elevated" flood threat in this area. Otherwise, it appears the thermodynamic/shear profiles will not be particularly favorable for severe weather concerns given the deep moisture and influence from the southeast CONUS ridge, but as is the case in the near term, we'll need to monitor for marginal tornado risks given the potential for enhanced low level shear in the very moist air. As previously mentioned, it's difficult to find an end to this wet pattern in the guidance through most of the remainder of the month. /EC/ && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1234 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026 A mixture of VFR/MVFR and IFR ceilings are occurring across multiple TAF sites to start off the period. Most sites will see a mix of MVFR to IFR stratus (down to LIFR at MEI, PIB and HBG) heading into the overnight period, as rain and low ceilings impact the area. Poor flying conditions will persist across the area through the TAF period with conditions beginning to improve to a mix of MVFR/VFR by 16Z Friday. Ceilings will continue to improve to VFR status Friday afternoon. Brief periods of lowered flight categories will be possible during heavier rainfall. Amendments may be needed across multiple sites through the overnight period as conditions worsen. /CR/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Jackson 80 68 85 68 / 80 60 70 60 Meridian 81 68 85 68 / 90 80 80 40 Vicksburg 81 68 85 68 / 60 40 70 70 Hattiesburg 82 69 85 70 / 90 70 90 40 Natchez 81 69 85 69 / 70 40 80 70 Greenville 81 67 84 68 / 70 40 60 70 Greenwood 80 67 85 68 / 80 70 60 70 && .JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MS...None. LA...None. AR...None. && DC/EC/CR
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
108 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026
LAZ016-220700-
Madison LA-
108 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT MADISON PARISH THROUGH 200 AM
CDT...
At 108 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Bakers to 6 miles
northwest of Afton. Movement was north at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Tallulah and Tendal around 115 AM CDT.
Waverly around 120 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Richmond.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3232 9149 3232 9147 3236 9149 3235 9146
3236 9145 3239 9148 3241 9148 3242 9149
3244 9147 3249 9149 3254 9146 3254 9112
3225 9117 3224 9121 3221 9124 3223 9128
3220 9132 3220 9150
TIME...MOT...LOC 0608Z 181DEG 29KT 3229 9143 3229 9129
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CRSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
254 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026
MSZ062>064-220845-
Lawrence MS-Jefferson Davis MS-Lincoln MS-
254 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN LINCOLN...LAWRENCE AND
SOUTHWESTERN JEFFERSON DAVIS COUNTIES THROUGH 345 AM CDT...
At 254 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near East Lincoln to near Tilton. Movement was
northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Monticello, Sontag, Robinwood, and Arm around 300 AM CDT.
Silver Creek, Wanilla, and Progress around 305 AM CDT.
Oma around 310 AM CDT.
New Hebron around 320 AM CDT.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3135 9011 3135 9045 3170 9035 3170 9026
3175 9014 3176 9003 3168 8988 3139 8991
3140 9004 3134 9004 3133 9008
TIME...MOT...LOC 0754Z 205DEG 30KT 3153 9025 3143 9008
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CRSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
306 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026
LAZ009-016-MSZ035-040>042-047-048-220845-
Madison LA-East Carroll LA-Sharkey MS-Warren MS-Humphreys MS-
Hinds MS-Yazoo MS-Issaquena MS-
306 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL EAST CARROLL AND CENTRAL
MADISON PARISHES...NORTHERN WARREN...WESTERN YAZOO...NORTHWESTERN
HINDS...ISSAQUENA...SOUTH CENTRAL HUMPHREYS AND SHARKEY COUNTIES
THROUGH 345 AM CDT...
At 305 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Omega to near Phoenix. Movement was north
at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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.
Strong thunderstorms will be near...
Valley Park, Satartia, and Alsatia around 310 AM CDT.
Fitler, Transylvania, and Onward around 315 AM CDT.
Lake Providence, Cary, and Holly Bluff around 320 AM CDT.
Rolling Fork and Mayersville around 330 AM CDT.
Other locations impacted by these storms include Richmond.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3299 9126 3300 9042 3260 9036 3258 9040
3259 9043 3258 9045 3249 9045 3249 9041
3245 9041 3240 9080 3224 9115 3224 9120
3221 9123 3222 9126
TIME...MOT...LOC 0805Z 177DEG 37KT 3256 9110 3259 9062
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CRThe Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 75 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 08:41 UTC.
5 thunderstorm wind, 1 tornado, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree fell on a car along the Natchez Trace around mile marker 58. An injured person was transported from the area via air ambulance. Winds were estimated at this location and time to be 40 mph or less.
This weak tornado tracked north northeastward roughly along Midway Road from north of Oakley Palestine Road to Thigpen Road, then lifted near Seven Springs Road. Along the path, several large tree limbs were downed. A tornadic debris signature (TDS) was observed on radar. Maximum winds were estimated at 75 mph (EF-0), the track length was 1.98 miles, and the maximum width was 175 yards.
Multiple trees were blown down across portions of southern Jones County.
Water was over multiple roadways in Hattiesburg while minor flooding was occurring in Petal.
Trees were downed on Jaynesville Road at Johnson Stewart Road as well as Jaynesville Road at Highway 49.
Power lines were blown down near Onward.
A few power lines were blown down.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Mississippi, 2026Warnings in Mississippi, May 2026
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: 1339178, 1339177, 1339179, 1339176, 1339180, 1339181, 1339182.