A significant multi-day severe weather event affected the Mid-South as a deepening surface low and cold front traversed the central United States. On April 27, 2026, a northward-lifting warm front introduced tropical moisture, with dewpoints rising into the upper 60s and lower 70s.
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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 MEG wrote it up.
A significant multi-day severe weather event affected the Mid-South as a deepening surface low and cold front traversed the central United States. On April 27, 2026, a northward-lifting warm front introduced tropical moisture, with dewpoints rising into the upper 60s and lower 70s. This environment, supported by a strong 500 mb jet streak, produced MLCAPE values exceeding 2,500 J/kg and effective bulk shear values often surpassing 40 knots.
The event unfolded in several phases. Starting late Monday, April 27, supercells across southern Missouri and northern Arkansas consolidated into a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS). This MCS tracked southward through Tuesday morning, bringing damaging winds, large hail, and two weak tornadoes. On Tuesday, a secondary shortwave trough triggered two additional rounds of severe weather. The first occurred late Tuesday afternoon into the early evening, featuring organized convection with bowing line segments that produced damaging winds, large hail, and a weak tornado in northeast Arkansas. The second round developed immediately after the first round had moved into Middle Tennessee and north Alabama, bringing further damaging winds from Tuesday evening through early Wednesday morning, along with locally heavy rainfall that caused flash flooding. By early Wednesday morning, April 29, the cold front exited the region, ending the threat and returning the area to cooler, drier conditions.
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 Apr 27, 10:22 PM CST, 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Memphis TN 1122 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026 ...New DISCUSSION, FIRE WEATHER... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 1120 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026 - Numerous severe thunderstorms are expected overnight into early Tuesday morning with the threat for damaging winds, large hail, and strong tornadoes. - Another round of severe weather is expected Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday morning. Primary threats will be damaging and large hail with a secondary threat for a few tornadoes. - Another chance for showers and thunderstorms arrives on Friday. Otherwise, generally dry weather is expected on Thursday and over the weekend. && .DISCUSSION... (Tonight through next Monday) Issued at 1120 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026 A busy overnight hour is progressing with a line of severe thunderstorms moving into the far northwestern portions of the Mid-South and some isolated storms developing across West TN. Through the remainder of the overnight and early morning hours, this line will continue to move through a favorable, fairly uncapped environment. Latest mesoanalysis data from the region continues to highlight MLCAPE values in the 2,000 to 3,000 J/kg range with 0-3km SRH values over 400 m2/s2. While storms ahead of the main line have remained tame over the past 30 minutes, this will likely change as the forcing continues to progress eastward. All storm modes will remain on the table into the overnight hours, with a Tornado Watch in effect until 5 AM for the entire area. The area of greatest concern does appear to be across eastern AR and north of the TN/MS stateline, but storms will have the potential to go severe south of the TN/MS line later in the overnight hours. Through the rest of Tuesday, a secondary shortwave will move off of the Rockies through the daytime, bringing another round of severe weather to the Mid-South. Any lingering convection from the ongoing overnight round will move out of the area by mid- morning, allowing for plenty of time for the atmosphere to destabilize once again heading into the afternoon and evening. The entire Mid-South is in either an Enhanced Risk (3/5) or Slight Risk (2/5) once again for Tuesday. Guidance continues to suggest yet another robust environment across the Mid-South, with MLCAPE values >2,500 J/kg, ample deep layer shear, and lapse rates between 7 to 8. Timing with this would be generally after 2 PM. All storm modes are on the table once again, but there is more confidence for a damaging wind and large hail threat. In addition to the severe weather threat, there is an increasing concern for a flooding threat by the evening hours. PWAT values will be over the 90th percentile for the time of year, with some CAMs showing storms lingering along the I-40 corridor. If any of these convective storms begin to train over an area, this would significantly increase the flooding concern pretty rapidly. While we have been in a drought, given the overnight rainfall expected, any additional rainfall that lingers could quickly become an issue especially in metropolitan areas. Instability will begin to diminish as we approach midnight, with the main severe weather threat likely ending by midnight. Some lingering showers could linger into early Wednesday morning. Primarily zonal to weak northwesterly flow in the upper-levels will arrive by Wednesday, with a cooler and increasingly dry forecast by the middle to end of the work week. While some lingering moisture could bring showers (~20% chance) to our southern tier of counties, confidence overall is low and most of the area will likely remain dry. By the end of the week, an upper- level low will move out of the four corners, bringing our next potential rain maker to the Mid-South Friday into Saturday. Severe weather does not appear to be a concern with this system, with little to no instability expected. As far as high temperatures go, temperatures will continue to fall by Wednesday with temperatures spanning the 70s before dipping into the 60s Thursday through at least the first half of the weekend. 6 to 10 day CPC guidance does keep the Mid-South in a below normal temperature outlook with near to below normal precipitation, so overall the cooler pattern will likely continue into next week. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 643 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026 Convection has been slow to develop this afternoon due to a mid- level cap. This cap is finally eroding, allowing convection to increase in coverage. While this activity will be more scattered/discrete, more organized storms are expected to move southeast into the CWA late this evening into the early morning hours. This activity will have the potential for hail, damaging wind, and even a few tornadoes, winding down late tonight with a lull in precipitation chances Tuesday morning. MVFR ceilings are expected across much of the area between 12-18z. The NBM is even indicating ~25% chance of IFR, but the HREF is much lower at ~10% (more likely). Another round of TSRA is expected on Tuesday afternoon. This round of storms will also be potentially severe, especially along and south of I-40. The MKL and JBR ASOS continue to report -RA despite no radar echoes in the area. This is likely due to spider webs causing erroneous readings at these sites. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1120 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026 Minimal fire danger concerns with multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through Tuesday. Dry conditions with minRH values below 40% will return on Thursday, before additional moisture returns to end the week. && .MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... AR...None. MO...None. MS...None. TN...None. && PUBLIC FORECAST...CMA AVIATION...MJ
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
633 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
MSZ007-008-010>012-280000-
Tunica MS-Coahoma MS-Tate MS-Panola MS-Quitman MS-
633 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN COAHOMA...
SOUTHEASTERN TUNICA...SOUTHWESTERN TATE...NORTHERN QUITMAN AND
NORTHWESTERN PANOLA COUNTIES THROUGH 700 PM CDT...
At 633 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Jonestown, or 13 miles southeast of Helena-West Helena, moving
northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Jonestown, Crenshaw, Sledge, Phillipp, Strayhorn, Dubbs, Dundee,
Little Texas, Lula, Falcon, Askew, Gerlach Mill, Moon, Buxton,
Savage, Prichard, Sarah, Matagorda, Rich, and Cypress Corner.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3476 9020 3473 9020 3474 9018 3451 8996
3428 9044 3443 9057
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 234DEG 34KT 3440 9044
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH
AEHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
655 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
MSZ007-008-011-012-280030-
Tunica MS-Tate MS-Panola MS-Quitman MS-
655 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN TUNICA...
SOUTHEASTERN TATE...NORTHEASTERN QUITMAN AND NORTHERN PANOLA COUNTIES
THROUGH 730 PM CDT...
At 655 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Crenshaw, or 16 miles southwest of Senatobia, moving northeast at 40
mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 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.
Locations impacted include...
Senatobia, Sardis, Coldwater, Como, Crenshaw, Sledge, Pleasant Grove,
Falcon, Askew, Gerlach Mill, Looxahoma, Buxton, Crossroad, McGhee,
Longtown, Tibbs, Ballentine, Sarah, Poagville, and Hayes Crossing.
This includes Interstate 55 in Mississippi between mile markers 252
and 270.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3474 8985 3447 8972 3446 8972 3435 9025
3453 9035
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 247DEG 34KT 3447 9022
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
AEHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
739 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
MSZ011-012-020-021-280115-
Tallahatchie MS-Panola MS-Yalobusha MS-Quitman MS-
739 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL YALOBUSHA...
NORTHERN TALLAHATCHIE...SOUTHEASTERN QUITMAN AND SOUTHWESTERN PANOLA
COUNTIES THROUGH 815 PM CDT...
At 739 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sumner, or 15 miles west of Charleston, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and penny 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...
Batesville, Charleston, George Payne State Park, Tutwiler, Crowder,
Webb, Sumner, Pope, Enid, Vance, Oakland, Courtland, Mims, Denton,
Mikoma, Stover, Longstreet, Asa, Tillatoba, and Waverly.
This includes Interstate 55 in Mississippi between mile markers 221
and 237.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3390 9039 3408 9044 3432 8998 3399 8980
TIME...MOT...LOC 0039Z 255DEG 36KT 3402 9033
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
AEHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
857 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
MSZ002-003-280230-
Marshall MS-Benton MS-
857 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN MARSHALL AND
SOUTHWESTERN BENTON COUNTIES THROUGH 930 PM CDT...
At 856 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Wall Doxey State Park, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch 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...
Wall Doxey State Park, Hickory Flat, Potts Camp, Malone, Winborn,
Waterford, Galena, Waites, and Lake Center.
This includes Interstate 22 in Mississipppi between mile markers 34
and 50.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3465 8959 3480 8926 3460 8916 3460 8924
3458 8925 3456 8955
TIME...MOT...LOC 0156Z 254DEG 30KT 3462 8952
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CJCPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
927 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0923 PM Hail Hickory Flat 34.62N 89.19W
04/27/2026 E1.00 Inch Benton MS Broadcast Media
1 inch hail falling in Hickory Flat.
&&
TABPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1146 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1055 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Rector 36.27N 90.29W
04/27/2026 M60 MPH Clay AR Broadcast Media
Thunderstorm wind gust reported near Rector.
Estimated at 60 mph.
&&
TBThe Ft Campbell radar (KHPX), 147 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:17 UTC.
23 thunderstorm wind, 5 hail, 2 flash flood, 1 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was knocked down across the road.
A weak, short-lived EF0 tornado touched down on the southeast side of Dyersburg shortly after midnight Tuesday, April 28. The most significant damage occurred at a warehouse on E Court St, where ten skylights were blown out, and a large metal panel was pulled from the side of the building. The tornado continued southeastward almost parallel to E Court Street, causing tree damage on both sides of the road. Minor roof damage was noted at a house on Auburn Ave. The tornado lifted just before reaching U.S. Highway 412.
Quarter-size hail fell in the southeast part of Dyersburg.
A tree was knocked down across Highway 104.
A tree was knocked down across the road.
A large tree was knocked down, blocking the road at Highway 188 and Friendship Eaton Road.
A tree was knocked down across the road.
Trees and power lines were knocked down along Joe Edwards Road east of Bells.
A large tree was knocked down on the Union University campus.
A power pole was snapped, and power lines were down across the road.
Numerous trees and a few power lines were knocked down across southern Benton County.
Large tree limbs were knocked down across Highway 59.
Multiple trees were knocked down in the Flag City mobile home community in Millington.
A large tree was uprooted on Sweetbriar Road near Redfearn Cove.
Trees and power lines were knocked down along Tate Road.
Straight-line winds caused roof damage at the Brighton Town Hall.
Trees were knocked down at Holly Grove Road and Liberty Church Road.
A large tree was uprooted in Henning, along Poplar Grove Cemetery Road on the east side of Highway 51.
Multiple trees were knocked down in Covington.
Trees were knocked across Highway 51 and Dry Hill Road East.
Trees were knocked down on Willow Lane.
A tree was knocked down on Highway 88 West.
A tree fell on a home along Poplar Grove Road.
Trees uprooted, and tree limbs downed along Johns Creek Road and Highway 220.
Interstate 55 was flooded near Trigg Avenue.
Shelby Oaks Drive was flooded with one foot of water.
Several trees were downed and uprooted along Hebron Lane.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Tennessee in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Tennessee, 2026Warnings in Tennessee, April 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: 1331236, 1331128, 1331231, 1331237, 1331238, 1331239, 1331240, 1331241, 1331232, 1331243, 1331245, 1331246, 1331247, 1331248, 1331234, 1333511, 1331235, 1331260, 1331251, 1331249, 1331252, 1331262, 1331250, 1331257, 1331256, 1331258, 1331254, 1331265, 1333503, 1333504, 1331266.