A frontal boundary south of Interstate 10 in Louisiana slowed and stalled near the coast while successive midlevel disturbances crossed the Lower Mississippi Valley. Deep moisture pooled along the boundary, with precipitable water values near 2 inches, supporting efficient rainfall and thunderstorms that produced large hail and damaging winds in southwest Mississippi.
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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 LIX wrote it up.
A frontal boundary south of Interstate 10 in Louisiana slowed and stalled near the coast while successive midlevel disturbances crossed the Lower Mississippi Valley. Deep moisture pooled along the boundary, with precipitable water values near 2 inches, supporting efficient rainfall and thunderstorms that produced large hail and damaging winds in southwest Mississippi.
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 New Orleans, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 8, 6:10 AM CST, 3 hours 31 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service New Orleans LA 710 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 701 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 - An active weather pattern will continue through the weekend with several rounds of showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. - The main concern will be potential for locally heavy rainfall, especially today and Saturday. High rainfall rates in some storms will be capable of overwhelming drainage capacity and leading to ponding of water in low lying and poor drainage areas, with the heaviest storms potentially leading to isolated flash flooding. While severe weather is a less likely threat, one or two strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out. IF any storms become severe, the main threat will be damaging wind gusts. - Residents should remain weather-aware through the weekend and plan ahead for potential street flooding - especially if normal commuting routes include flood-prone underpasses and other poor drainage spots. && .SHORT TERM... (Now through Sunday) Issued at 1214 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 An active weather pattern will persist through the weekend as multiple mid/upper level disturbances move through the Mississippi Valley. We're in a bit of a holding pattern overnight as one disturbance has exited the area, with the frontal boundary south of Interstate 10. As the front loses its upper support, it will continue to slow and stall near the coast before washing out during the morning. The next disturbance will begin to eject out of northern Mexico during the day in response to another shortwave diving southeast through the Rockies. This should be enough to fire off scattered to locally numerous showers and embedded thunderstorms across the region this afternoon. Late tonight and Saturday look to be the wettest periods as the disturbance crosses the local area firing off numerous showers and embedded storms across the region. With PW values forecast to be around 2 inches, some storms will be capable of producing efficent rainfall. Wouldn't be surprised to see at least a few storms producing localized totals of 1-2" in a short period of time. The high rainfall rates could lead to ponding of water in low lying and poor drainage areas and/or isolated flash flooding. We continue to be outlooked with a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall through Saturday, and if it looks like convection will become a bit more organized, the threat level could be bumped up to slight. Yet another disturbance will move into/through the middle Mississippi Valley late Sunday/Sunday night. This one will force a cold front through the area with another round of showers and storms along/ahead of it. Clouds and precipitation are expected to hold diurnal temperature ranges down to about 10 degrees today and Saturday. Sunday may be a little warmer, especially if we get a little sunshine ahead of the approaching trough and cold front. && .LONG TERM... (Sunday night through Thursday) Issued at 1214 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 Model agreement through the long term period is in decently good agreement, and this lends to higher confidence in a drier and more stable period of weather once we move past Sunday night. Sunday night will continue to see a risk of shower and thunderstorm activity due to the passage of a strong northern stream longwave trough axis and associated frontal boundary through the region. A review of model soundings for Sunday night indicates that shear will be limited with directional shear peaking around 100 m2/s2 and speed shear of 30 knots or less. However, ample instability will be in place ahead of the front with MUCAPE of 1000 to 1500 J/KG expected for the overnight hours. As a result, despite the limited shear, a few stronger thunderstorms could accompany the front as it passes through the region. After the trough axis and attendant front sweep east of the area on Monday, strong negative vorticity and dry air advection will take hold on the back of a building ridge and deep layer northerly flow Skies will rapidly clear and PWATS will plunge around half an inch by Tuesday morning. These clear and dry conditions will persist through Thursday night as the deep layer northerly flow pattern remains in place. Temperatures will be near to slightly above average, but a large diurnal range is expected each day. Highs will easily climb into the low to mid 80s each afternoon, but overnight lows will cool a good 30 degrees into the mid to upper 50s over inland areas and the low 60s south of Lake Pontchartrain both Monday and Tuesday nights. Some slow warming of the overnight lows back into the low to mid 60s over inland areas the mid to upper 60s south of the lake will occur on Wednesday and Thursday night. Overall, a very benign stretch of weather is expected from Monday through the end of the workweek. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 701 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 In a nutshell, it's going to be a messy day today with periods of IFR conditions associated with showers and storms. Even outside of showers and storms, cigs likely won't rise much above 1500ft. In the last hour or two, have seen a couple thunderstorms develop SW of Alexandria, LA in response to approaching disturbance. Expect to see additional shower and thunderstorm development through the day with widespread convection by around 18z. Have relied heavily on latest CAM guidance in an attempt to time worst conditions associated with heavier storms. Latest CAMs indicate widespread convection shifting east of the local terminals between 00z and 03z, remaining generally quiet through the remainder of the night, and that is what is reflected in the TAFs. However, global models - especially the Euro - indicate continued precip through the night, so there is higher than normal uncertainty regarding the forecast beyond 00z and there could be significant changes reflected in later TAF packages. && .MARINE... Issued at 1214 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026 A weak frontal boundary will continue to wash out near the coast overnight. By afternoon, south to southeast winds of 10 to 15 knots will return, and these winds will persist through the weekend. Another frontal boundary will move into the waters Sunday night into Monday morning, bringing offshore winds to the waters for early next week. Winds should remain below headline criteria through the period, with the greatest concern being scattered to numerous showers and storms, mainly Saturday through Sunday night. && .LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... LA...None. GM...None. MS...None. GM...None. && SHORT TERM...RW LONG TERM....PG AVIATION...DM MARINE...RW
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
926 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0846 AM Hail Lettsworth 30.93N 91.71W
05/08/2026 M0.88 Inch Pointe Coupee LA Law Enforcement
Nickel sized hail in Lettsworth.
0848 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NNW Batchelor 30.88N 91.68W
05/08/2026 Pointe Coupee LA Law Enforcement
Trees down in Innis.
0848 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg Batchelor 30.84N 91.66W
05/08/2026 Pointe Coupee LA Law Enforcement
Trees down in Batchelor.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
933 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0850 AM Hail Batchelor 30.84N 91.66W
05/08/2026 M1.50 Inch Pointe Coupee LA Broadcast Media
Video and picture of hail estimated around
ping pong ball sized.
&&
DMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
934 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAZ039-071-081500-
Washington LA-Northern Tangipahoa LA-
934 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN
TANGIPAHOA AND WASHINGTON PARISHES THROUGH 1000 AM CDT
...
At 934 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Kentwood to Enon. Movement
was northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bogalusa, Franklinton, Enon, Mount Herman, and Wilmer.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3082 8980 3077 8983 3067 9001 3071 9025
3070 9030 3073 9045 3096 9046 3100 9041
3100 9023
TIME...MOT...LOC 1434Z 238DEG 27KT 3087 9045 3072 9006
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
956 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAZ036-037-081530-
St. Helena LA-East Feliciana LA-
956 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHWESTERN ST.
HELENA AND NORTHEASTERN EAST FELICIANA PARISHES THROUGH 1030 AM CDT
...
At 956 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Clinton, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Clinton and Darlington.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3084 9107 3096 9108 3099 9072 3078 9072
TIME...MOT...LOC 1456Z 265DEG 30KT 3088 9100
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
1003 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
LAZ039-071-MSZ077-081545-
Washington LA-Northern Tangipahoa LA-Pearl River MS-
1003 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHERN TANGIPAHOA,
WASHINGTON PARISHES IN SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA AND NORTHWESTERN PEARL
RIVER COUNTIES THROUGH 1045 AM CDT
...
At 1003 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Kentwood to Bogalusa.
Movement was east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bogalusa, Franklinton, Kentwood, Varnado, Osyka, Crossroads, Mount
Herman, Wilmer, Tangipahoa, and Angie.
This includes Interstate 55 in Louisiana between mile markers 52 and
66.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3091 8952 3072 8978 3080 9057 3092 9057
3100 9052 3100 9010
TIME...MOT...LOC 1503Z 247DEG 34KT 3089 9048 3079 8985
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
TJSPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
1008 AM CDT Fri May 8 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0752 AM Hail 5 N Slaughter 30.79N 91.13W
05/08/2026 E1.00 Inch East Feliciana LA Broadcast Media
Picture of quarter sized hail in Ethel.
&&
DMThe Hammond radar (KHDC), 89 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 15:42 UTC.
3 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
Video on social media showed quarter sized hail along Highway 26, just west of Poplarville.
Received photos and video of thunderstorm wind damage to a farm southeast of Lumberton, including photo damage to sheds, report of several snapped light poles, and video of wind damage to agricultural crops.
Damaged structure near the Pearl River/Stone County line along Hwy 26 from thunderstorm winds.
Report of structural damage to a home near Lumberton on Cooley Lake Dr from thunderstorm winds.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings 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: 1343630, 1343628, 1343627, 1343626.