Tornadoes · United States · Mississippi · 2020
EF2 tornado, Burns to Lemon, Mississippi, February 5, 2020
From Burns to Lemon, this EF2 tornado ran 2.6 miles across Smith County on February 5, 2020, touching down at 3:20 PM CST and reaching 440 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $20,000 of property damage.
The rating scale
Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.
EF065 to 85 mph
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mph
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
EF2111 to 135 mphthis tornado
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
EF3136 to 165 mph
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
EF5over 200 mph
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.
The record
- Rating
- EF2
- Date
- February 5, 2020
- Touchdown
- 3:20 PM CST (21:20 UTC)
- Lifted
- 3:24 PM CST (21:24 UTC)
- On the ground
- 4 minutes
- Path length
- 2.6 miles (4.2 km)
- Path width
- 440 yards (402 m)
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $20,000
- County
- Smith County
- Touchdown point
- 32.091, -89.536
- Lift-off point
- 32.117, -89.504
- Record number
- 2002051520-01
The damage survey
27 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS JAN, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF2. The highest wind the damage implies is 115 mph.
- Numerous trees snapped and uprooted, per drone imagery.
- Several dead trees snapped, via drone imagery
- Numerous mainly dead trees snapped and uprooted, via drone footage
- Multiple snapped and uprooted trees, via drone footage
Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.
What the Weather Service recorded
A strong cold front moved through the region. Ahead of this, storms developed across Central Mississippi and produced tornadoes and wind damage.
The tornado starting point was confirmed by drone footage just west of Bienville National Forest Road 527. It moved northeast, snapping and uprooting multiple trees in a convergent pattern as it crossed this road. Tree damage ramped up considerably just east of this location, with more considerable tree fall as the tornado crossed Bienville National Forest Road 527-D, including a high percentage of snapped softwood trees and a few snapped hardwoods. In a previously-cleared forest area to the north of this road, nearly all of the dead trees that had remained standing were snapped within and along the tornado path. The road was blocked by numerous downed trees. Footage from a drone showed a well-defined vortex pattern in the fallen trees in this vicinity. The tornado weakened as it crossed Mississippi Highway 35 north of Shongelo Lake and Smith County Road 120, where just a few trees were uprooted. It uprooted a few more trees along Government Road, including one that blocked the roadway, before lifting. Max sustained winds were 115 mph.
From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.
The warnings
25 minutes of warning. NWS JAN issued a tornado warning for this county at 20:55 UTC, 25 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 21:39 UTC.
The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 17:50 UTC and running to 23:50 UTC.
| Issued (UTC) | Expired | Product | Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17:50 UTC | 23:50 UTC | Tornado Watch | JAN |
| 19:30 UTC | 01:30 UTC | Flash Flood Warning | JAN |
| 20:55 UTC | 21:39 UTC | Tornado Warning | JAN |
| 21:02 UTC | 21:38 UTC | Tornado Warning | JAN |
| 21:33 UTC | 21:50 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | JAN |
| 23:50 UTC | 06:00 UTC | Tornado Watch | JAN |
| 03:58 UTC | 04:45 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | JAN |
| 04:33 UTC | 05:15 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | JAN |
| 04:56 UTC | 04:58 UTC | Tornado Warning | JAN |
Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.
The forecast that day
The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Slight Risk, with a 0.05 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 20:00 UTC.
SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, 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 tornado touched down at Feb 5, 11:43 AM CST, 3 hours 37 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Feb 5, 11:43 AM CST, 3 hours 37 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Jackson MS 1143 AM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 ...SEVERE WEATHER LIKELY AND FLASH FLOODING POSSIBLE TODAY... .UPDATE... Updated for 18Z aviation discussion && .AVIATION... 18Z TAF discussion: A mix of flight conditions will exist throughout today as a frontal boundary and severe weather affects the region. The front has already passed through GLH and GWO so that winds are from the north- northwest now. As the front passes through this afternoon, southerly winds at the rest of the TAF sites will rotate to a northerly direction as well. Expect ceilings to drop universally throughout the afternoon to IFR as scattered to numerous storms ramp up and move across the region from southwest to northeast. The severe storms will wane by 06Z with showers lingering through much of Thursday. This will keep ceilings and visibilities low through at least 18Z tomorrow. /10/ && .DISCUSSION... An active weather day is on tap today & will bring severe weather & flash flooding potential across the region. Severe weather, including tornadoes & some possibly strong, is likely & some flash flooding is possible. Wednesday: This morning the mid-level ridge axis is centered over the Caribbean Islands, leading to a an influx of sufficient low- level southerly return flow of warmth & moisture. Surface analysis this morning indicates a surface low & baroclinic zone across the ArklaMiss Delta, ArkLaTex to mid-South & will only deepen through the afternoon, while cooler conditions exist in the wake of the boundary in the northwest Delta. The synoptic pattern consists of a longwave amplification with the spoke of energy & jet streak energy through southern Plains & northern Mexico. This will continue to swing out along the base of the trough & eject northeast across the ArkLaMiss region. In conjunction with low- level deepening & surface cyclogenesis, strong reflection in the low-level wind field response will occur. Morning sounding analysis shows near the high end or climatological maximum in low- level observed destabilization (i.e. LCH surface based CAPE ~2500 J/kg & JAN surface/mix-layer CAPE around 800-1000 J/kg). This juxtaposition of steep mid-level lapse rates & strong mid-deep layer shear (i.e. 6.5 deg C/km lapse rates @ 700-500mb & 40-70kts+ effective bulk shear @ 0-3km & 0-6km, respectively) continue to support higher end severe weather potential. This low-level feed of high Theta E is leading convection development across areas in south-central to western Louisiana is serving as the impetus for convective development. This will continue to spread to the east-northeast across the region, with hi-res CAM guidance indicative of storms along the northern gradient of the significant tornado parameter gradient (STP). Local HRRR guidance is definitely showing the potential for some 1500-2000+ J/kg surface based CAPE along & southeast of that frontal & baroclinic zone & storms potentially riding along & southeast of that boundary. SPC mesoanalysis & forecast indicate nearly 2-3 STP along the Natchez Trace Corridor & especially from near Winnsboro up towards Columbus & to the south. This area also has pressure falls of 3-6mb as the surface low deepens. Hi-res CAM guidance continues to paint area in this vicinity with the highest potential for tornadoes, including some possibly strong. Exact storm mode may be somewhat of a question, per some other local CAM guidance, but there will be some potential for higher-end severe weather. This environment is anomalously destabilized & sheared. In conjunction with SPC, introduced an "Enhanced" severe risk area from near Vicksburg to the Jackson Metro & to the northeast to including near Grenada to the Golden Triangle. For now, all modes of severe weather are possible. Due to the strong clockwise curving hodographs, tornadoes are likely & some possibly strong. Damaging winds up to 70mph & large hail of up to golf ball size are also possible. These will be reflected in the HWO/graphics. In addition, the flash flooding potential remains across the area as there will be high moisture in conjunction with a deepening synoptic jet, upper diffluence along the low & also any convective potential. In conjunction with anomalous deep layer moisture & very wet antecedent conditions, especially from any heavy rain this morning, will keep potential around. Due to that, rainfall of 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts, is possible across the region. Local hi-res CAM guidance & HREF suite continues to support this. No flash flood watch is needed for now as this mesoscale driven & some details are not as clear. Kept the HWO/graphics the same as before. Lastly, due to a strong developing pressure gradient some gusts upward of 25-30mph can't be ruled out. Expect these winds to really ramp up into the afternoon as the surface low rapidly deepens & moves through the Delta. For now, winds don't seem to ramp up enough for a wind advisory or mention in the HWO/graphics. /DC/ Prior discussion below: Today and tonight: Severe storms including locally heavy rain will be possible across our CWA generally this afternoon and evening. Early morning surface analysis had a stalled front across our Delta region nearly along a line from Grenada, Mississippi to Bastrop, Louisiana. This stalled front will move little today and the greatest potential for severe weather will be along and south of this boundary. Early morning satellite imagery/RAP analysis showed the circulation around a deep upper level trough that extended southwest from the Central Plains to the Baja region. This upper trough will shift east through tonight and help develop a surface low over Louisiana this morning that will track to the northeast along the stalled boundary. The surface low will shift northeast of our CWA this evening and drag the trailing cold front across our southeast most zones well before sunrise. The warm sector ahead of the surface low will feature PWATs greater than an inch and a half with mid 60 dew points. MLCAPE values are expected to be 500- 1000j/kg while deep layer shear increases this afternoon into the evening to support storm organization. There will be the potential for severe storms capable of damaging winds a few tornadoes. Mid level lapse rates look to limit large hail development but hail to the size of quarters will also be possible. In addition, locally heavy rainfall will accompany the storms and may result in some flash flooding where the storms can train over the same area. Hi-res models suggest the heaviest rainfall amounts will fall over our northeast this afternoon and southeast this evening. Temperatures will continue much warmer than normal today but the cooler air in the wake of the cold front will knock temperatures down closer to normal by morning, especially over the northwest half of the CWA. /22/ Thursday through next Tuesday: Chances for rain will continue Thursday into Thursday evening behind the cold front as cold advection continues. Highs Thursday will range from the mid 40s west to the mid 50s east. Expect a brief period of dry weather and seasonable temperatures Friday and Friday night, with showers returning Saturday as another system quickly moves into the region. Another short period of dry weather will return Sunday as high pressure influences the region. Unsettled weather returns to the region Monday and Tuesday, along with continued warming as another frontal system approaches the region. Highs by Tuesday look to range from the lower 60s northwest to the lower 70s southeast. /27/ && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Jackson 74 46 50 33 / 86 92 64 6 Meridian 72 52 55 34 / 89 95 77 11 Vicksburg 72 45 48 35 / 92 73 49 1 Hattiesburg 74 53 56 34 / 86 94 78 7 Natchez 73 44 48 33 / 93 76 51 1 Greenville 65 41 44 33 / 93 69 48 4 Greenwood 67 42 47 33 / 94 76 62 10 && .JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MS...None. LA...None. AR...None. &&
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 5, 10:59 AM CST, 4 hours 21 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Jackson MS 1059 AM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 ARZ074-075-LAZ007-MSZ018-061700- Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-Bolivar- 1059 AM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, and northwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Marginal TIMING...Remainder of today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Remainder of today Remainder of today through tonight, isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts and hail. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Remainder of today, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. Heavy rainfall of one to three inches with locally higher amounts is possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and emergency management personnel in support of severe weather operations may be needed for portions of the region rest of today through tonight. LAZ008-015-MSZ019-034-061700- West Carroll-Richland-Sunflower-Washington- 1059 AM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, and northwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Remainder of today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Remainder of today Remainder of today through tonight, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging winds to 60 mph and hail at least to the size of quarter to golf ball size. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Remainder of today, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. Heavy rainfall of one to three inches with locally higher amounts is possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and emergency management personnel in support of severe weather operations may be needed for portions of the region rest of today through tonight. LAZ025-MSZ027>033-035>039-041>050-053-054-059-061700- Tensas-Carroll-Montgomery-Webster-Clay-Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha- Humphreys-Holmes-Attala-Winston-Noxubee-Sharkey-Yazoo-Madison MS- Leake-Neshoba-Kemper-Warren-Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Claiborne-Copiah- Jefferson- 1059 AM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, northeast Mississippi, and southwest Mississippi. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Enhanced TIMING...Remainder of today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Remainder of today through Tonight Remainder of today through tonight, severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are possible, with some possibly strong. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds up to 70 mph and large hail up to golf ball size. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Remainder of today through tonight, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. Heavy rainfall of one to three inches with locally higher amounts is possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and emergency management personnel in support of severe weather operations may be needed for portions of the region rest of today through tonight. LAZ009-016-023-024-026-MSZ025-026-040-051-052-055>058-060>066- 072>074-061700- East Carroll-Madison LA-Franklin LA-Catahoula-Concordia-Leflore- Grenada-Issaquena-Newton-Lauderdale-Simpson-Smith-Jasper-Clarke- Adams-Franklin MS-Lincoln-Lawrence-Jefferson Davis-Covington- Jones-Marion-Lamar-Forrest- 1059 AM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central Mississippi, and south central Mississippi. .DAY ONE...The rest of Today and Tonight SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THREAT...Slight TIMING...Remainder of today through Tonight FLOODING THREAT...Limited TIMING...Remainder of today through Tonight Remainder of today through tonight, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Some thunderstorms could produce damaging winds to 60 mph and hail at least to the size of quarter to golf ball size. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png) Remainder of today through tonight, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in low lying and urban areas. Heavy rainfall of one to three inches with locally higher amounts is possible. (https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png) .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT... The activation of storm spotters, HAM radio operators, and emergency management personnel in support of severe weather operations may be needed for portions of the region rest of today through tonight. 23 && ...HAZARD LEGEND... *SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS* High...Significant severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are likely with strong or violent tornadoes possible. Moderate...Significant severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are likely with strong tornadoes possible. Enhanced...Severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are possible. Slight...Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible. Marginal...Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible. *FLOODING* Extreme...Widespread and significant flooding is likely. Significant...Widespread flash flooding is likely and significant flooding is possible. Elevated...Areas of flash flooding likely. Limited...Localized flash flooding is possible. ...USEFUL WEATHER WEB PAGES (URLS)... NWS JAN Home page... https://www.weather.gov/jan Stay Aware, Stay Safe NWS JAN Briefing Page... https://www.weather.gov/jan/safe Latest Weather Briefing... https://www.weather.gov/jan/weather_briefing Find NWS JAN on Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/NWSJacksonMS Follow NWS JAN on Twitter... @NWSJacksonMS Follow NWS JAN on Youtube... https://www.youtube.com/user/NWSJacksonMiss ...ADDITIONAL URLS FOR SEVERE WEATHER ISSUES... Storm Prediction Center (SPC)... https://www.spc.noaa.gov/ Meso Analysis... https://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/ Day 1 through 3 Outlooks... https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/ Storm Reports... https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/ ...ADDITIONAL URLS FOR FLOODING ISSUES... Current Watches and Warnings... https://www.weather.gov/jan/safe_HeavyRain Observed Precipitation Images... https://www.weather.gov/jan/precipmaps River Forecast Center... https://www.weather.gov/lmrfc/ Significant River Flood Outlook... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/nationalfloodoutlook/index.html Day 1 through 3 Excessive Rainfall... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/excess_rain.shtml Excessive Rainfall Discussion... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/qpferd.html Day 1 through 7 QPF... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/qpf2.shtml QPF Discussion... https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/qpfpfd.html
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Feb 5, 1:53 PM CST, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Jackson MS 153 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 MSZ054-055-062-063-052030- Lawrence MS-Copiah MS-Lincoln MS-Simpson MS- 153 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN SIMPSON... NORTHEASTERN LINCOLN...NORTHWESTERN LAWRENCE AND EASTERN COPIAH COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM CST... At 153 PM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm over Wesson, or 8 miles northeast of Brookhaven, moving northeast at 45 mph. Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Rockport and Oma around 210 PM CST. Other locations impacted by this storm include Beauregard and Georgetown. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... High winds can bring down trees and large limbs resulting in serious injury or property damage. Exercise extreme caution when outdoors during such strong winds...and be especially aware of older trees. 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. && A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM CST for central and south central Mississippi. LAT...LON 3157 9037 3166 9049 3197 9027 3177 8997 TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 227DEG 39KT 3169 9037 NF
Special weather statement, Feb 5, 2:02 PM CST, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Jackson MS
202 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020
ARZ075-MSZ034-052030-
Chicot AR-Washington MS-
202 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN CHICOT AND CENTRAL
WASHINGTON COUNTIES UNTIL 230 PM CST...
At 202 PM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles northwest of Glen Allan, or 8 miles south of Avon, moving
northeast at 55 mph.
Nickel size hail will be possible with this storm.
This strong thunderstorm will be near...
Avon around 210 PM CST.
Hollandale and Wayside around 215 PM CST.
Estill around 220 PM CST.
Darlove around 225 PM CST.
Tribbett around 230 PM CST.
Other locations impacted by this storm include Arcola.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM CST for central and
west central Mississippi.
LAT...LON 3327 9076 3327 9072 3326 9073 3323 9073
3321 9071 3310 9090 3310 9091 3309 9092
3301 9104 3301 9114 3312 9124 3351 9076
TIME...MOT...LOC 2002Z 230DEG 49KT 3311 9110
GRGLocal storm report, Feb 5, 2:12 PM CST, 1 hour 8 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
212 PM CST WED FEB 5 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0142 PM HAIL 2 SSW CHICKASAW 32.94N 91.35W
02/05/2020 E1.00 INCH WEST CARROLL LA PUBLIC
QUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED NEAR TERRY, LA.
&&
JNESpecial weather statement, Feb 5, 2:43 PM CST, 37 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Jackson MS 243 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 LAZ009-016-MSZ040>042-047-052115- Madison LA-East Carroll LA-Sharkey MS-Warren MS-Yazoo MS- Issaquena MS- 243 PM CST Wed Feb 5 2020 ...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN EAST CARROLL AND NORTHEASTERN MADISON PARISHES...NORTHWESTERN WARREN...WEST CENTRAL YAZOO...SOUTHERN ISSAQUENA AND SOUTHERN SHARKEY COUNTIES UNTIL 315 PM CST... At 242 PM CST, Meteorologists were tracking a strong thunderstorm near Mansford, or 7 miles northeast of Tallulah, moving northeast at 55 mph. Nickel size hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this storm. This strong thunderstorm will be near... Valley Park around 300 PM CST. Holly Bluff around 315 PM CST. Other locations impacted by this storm include Richmond. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... High winds can bring down trees and large limbs resulting in serious injury or property damage. Exercise extreme caution when outdoors during such strong winds...and be especially aware of older trees. && A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 600 PM CST for northeastern Louisiana...and central and west central Mississippi. LAT...LON 3227 9123 3246 9126 3290 9072 3269 9052 TIME...MOT...LOC 2042Z 231DEG 49KT 3248 9109 GRG
Local storm report, Feb 5, 3:09 PM CST, 11 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
309 PM CST WED FEB 5 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0151 PM HAIL WESSON 31.70N 90.40W
02/05/2020 E1.00 INCH COPIAH MS PUBLIC
PUBLIC REPORT OF UP TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL IN
WESSON.
&&
TWLocal storm report, Feb 5, 3:13 PM CST, 7 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
313 PM CST WED FEB 5 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0303 PM TORNADO 4 ENE MARTINVILLE 31.99N 89.69W
02/05/2020 SIMPSON MS STORM CHASER
TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ALONG HWY 540,
STORM CHASER ALSO HAD VISUAL CONFIRMATION OF
TORNADO.
&&
TWThe air that afternoon
The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.
Jackson, MS (KJAN), 12:00Z
9.3 hours before the tornado, 58 km from the path. February 5, 2020.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 788 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -6 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 691 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 590 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 47 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 26 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 172 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 221 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.8
- Supercell composite
- 3.6
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 5.9 K/km
Jackson, MS (KJAN), 00:00Z
2.7 hours after it, 58 km from the path. February 6, 2020.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 847 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -69 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 527 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 592 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 66 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 34 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 298 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 390 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 1.9
- Supercell composite
- 10.5
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 5.6 K/km
The surface observations
Jackson/Thompson (JAN), 58 km from the path, in the two hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Temp (°F) | Dew point (°F) | Wind | Gust (kt) | Pressure (mb) | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19:20 UTC | 160° 11 kt | 19 | 1003.4 | |||
| 19:25 UTC | 170° 11 kt | 1003.7 | ||||
| 19:30 UTC | 180° 11 kt | 1003.7 | ||||
| 19:35 UTC | 180° 14 kt | 1003 | ||||
| 19:40 UTC | 73 | 66 | 180° 12 kt | 1003 | ||
| 19:45 UTC | 180° 11 kt | 1003 | ||||
| 19:50 UTC | 170° 13 kt | 1003 | ||||
| 19:54 UTC | 73 | 66 | 170° 12 kt | 20 | 1003 | |
| 19:55 UTC | 180° 11 kt | 1003 | ||||
| 20:00 UTC | 170° 10 kt | 1002.7 | ||||
| 20:05 UTC | 170° 11 kt | 1002.7 | ||||
| 20:10 UTC | 160° 11 kt | 1002.7 | ||||
| 20:15 UTC | 170° 11 kt | 1002.7 | ||||
| 20:20 UTC | 180° 9 kt | 1002.4 | ||||
| 20:25 UTC | 180° 13 kt | 1002.4 | ||||
| 20:30 UTC | 160° 11 kt | 1002.4 | ||||
| 20:35 UTC | 160° 13 kt | 1002 | ||||
| 20:40 UTC | 160° 13 kt | 18 | 1002 | |||
| 20:43 UTC | 74 | 66 | 160° 14 kt | 1001.7 | ||
| 20:45 UTC | 160° 14 kt | 1002 | ||||
| 20:50 UTC | 170° 11 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 20:54 UTC | 73 | 66 | 180° 14 kt | 1002 | ||
| 20:55 UTC | 180° 13 kt | 1002 | ||||
| 21:00 UTC | 180° 11 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 21:05 UTC | 170° 11 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 21:10 UTC | 170° 13 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 21:15 UTC | 160° 11 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 21:20 UTC | 170° 13 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 21:25 UTC | 170° 14 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 21:30 UTC | 180° 13 kt | 1001.4 | ||||
| 21:35 UTC | 180° 14 kt | 1001.4 | ||||
| 21:40 UTC | 180° 16 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 21:45 UTC | 180° 16 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 21:50 UTC | 180° 14 kt | 1001.4 | ||||
| 21:54 UTC | 72 | 64 | 180° 13 kt | 1001.4 | ||
| 21:55 UTC | 180° 11 kt | 18 | 1001.4 | |||
| 22:00 UTC | 190° 11 kt | 1001.7 | ||||
| 22:04 UTC | 71 | 65 | 190° 12 kt | 18 | 1001.4 | -TSRA |
| 22:05 UTC | 180° 11 kt | 1001.4 | -RA | |||
| 22:10 UTC | 190° 10 kt | 1000.7 | RA BR | |||
| 22:12 UTC | 71 | 66 | 190° 11 kt | 1001 | +TSRA BR | |
| 22:15 UTC | 180° 10 kt | 1001 | -RA BR | |||
| 22:17 UTC | 71 | 66 | 170° 12 kt | 1000.7 | -TSRA BR | |
| 22:20 UTC | 170° 13 kt | 1001 | -RA BR | |||
| 22:25 UTC | 170° 13 kt | 1001 | ||||
| 22:30 UTC | 170° 11 kt | 1001 | ||||
| 22:35 UTC | 170° 11 kt | 1001 | ||||
| 22:37 UTC | 71 | 66 | 170° 13 kt | 1000.7 | ||
| 22:40 UTC | 170° 11 kt | 17 | 1000.7 | |||
| 22:45 UTC | 150° 11 kt | 1000 | ||||
| 22:50 UTC | 160° 15 kt | 1000.3 | ||||
| 22:54 UTC | 70 | 66 | 160° 12 kt | 1000.3 | ||
| 22:55 UTC | 11 kt | 18 | 1000.3 | |||
| 23:00 UTC | 160° 11 kt | 1000.7 | ||||
| 23:04 UTC | 70 | 66 | 180° 14 kt | 1001 | VCTS | |
| 23:05 UTC | 190° 11 kt | 1001 | ||||
| 23:10 UTC | 200° 9 kt | 1001 | ||||
| 23:15 UTC | 190° 8 kt | 1000.7 | -RA |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.
The radar
The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 48 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 21:21 UTC.
Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track
Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.
What was reported nearby
Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Report | Where | County | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:57 UTC | TORNADO | 1 S Martinville | Simpson, MS | AN EF1 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN A PASTURE JUST WEST OF MS 541 WHERE A FEW TREES WERE UPROOTED. VERY MINOR TREE DAMAGE WAS NOTED INITIALLY AS IT CROSSED ROADS AND JUST PAST MS 540. DAMAGE INCREASED AS IT CROSSED COLE RD WH |
| 20:58 UTC | TORNADO | 1 Nne Martinville | Simpson, MS | TREES DOWN AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IN THE MARTINVILLE AREA. |
| 21:03 UTC | TORNADO | 4 Ene Martinville | Simpson, MS | TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ALONG HWY 540, STORM CHASER ALSO HAD VISUAL CONFIRMATION OF TORNADO. |
| 21:20 UTC | TORNADO | 3 Sse Burns | Smith, MS | A BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN JUST WEST OF HIGHWAY 35 WHICH WAS EVIDENT BY THE TORNADIC DEBRIS SIGNATURE. AS IT CROSSED THE HIGHWAY, A FEW TREES WERE UPROOTED. A FEW MORE WERE UPROOTED EAST OF THE HIGHWAY, ALONG GOVERNMEN |
| 21:20 UTC | TORNADO | 3 Sse Burns | Smith, MS | THE TORNADO STARTING POINT WAS CONFIRMED BY DRONE FOOTAGE JUST WEST OF BIENVILLE NATIONAL FOREST RD 527. IT MOVED NORTHEAST, SNAPPING AND UPROOTING MULTIPLE TREES IN A CONVERGENT PATTERN AS IT CROSSED THIS ROAD. TREE DAM |
| 21:22 UTC | TORNADO | 3 Se Burns | Smith, MS | TREES DOWN ACROSS THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY 35 NORTH AROUND THE SHONGELO COMMUNITY. |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.
This ground now
The live radar over the trackEvery 2020 tornado in MississippiEvery tornado in Mississippi since 1950Warnings in force in Mississippi nowThe forecast where you are
The other tornadoes of February 5, 2020
15 more were confirmed in the United States that day.
| Date | Time | Rating | Where | Path (mi) | Width (yd) | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 5 | 2:57 PM CST | EF1 | Simpson, MS | 6.2 | 150 | $200,000 | ||
| February 5 | 3:28 PM CST | EF1 | Yazoo, MS | 8.1 | 800 | $45,000 | ||
| February 5 | 3:57 PM CST | EF2 | Yazoo, MS | 18.7 | 900 | 4 | $126,000 | |
| February 5 | 4:46 PM CST | EF1 | Attala, MS | 1.7 | 300 | $50,000 | ||
| February 5 | 4:58 PM CST | EF2 | Attala, MS | 5.8 | 800 | $255,000 | ||
| February 5 | 5:18 PM CST | EF1 | Colbert, AL | 1.3 | 60 | |||
| February 5 | 5:33 PM CST | EF1 | Leake, MS | 9.1 | 250 | $55,000 | ||
| February 5 | 5:50 PM CST | EF1 | Leake, MS | 4.9 | 150 | $40,000 | ||
| February 5 | 5:55 PM CST | EF1 | Lawrence, TN | 10.1 | 300 | $20,000 | ||
| February 5 | 5:56 PM CST | EF1 | Lawrence, TN | 10.5 | 300 | 1 | $100,000 | |
| February 5 | 6:47 PM CST | EF0 | Bedford, TN | 10.4 | 50 | $10,000 | ||
| February 5 | 7:23 PM CST | EF0 | Warren, TN | 6.3 | 50 | $10,000 | ||
| February 5 | 7:55 PM CST | EF1 | White, TN | 3.9 | 200 | $25,000 | ||
| February 5 | 8:02 PM CST | EF1 | White, TN | 6.4 | 250 | $15,000 | ||
| February 5 | 10:51 PM CST | EF2 | Jasper, MS | 59.9 | 1,320 | $3.9 million |
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.
Sources
NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.