Tornadoes · United States · Mississippi · 2022

EF1 tornado, Whistler to Denham, Mississippi, April 5, 2022

Name: EF1 tornado, Whistler to Denham, Mississippi, April 5, 2022
Start: 2022-04-05T13:19:00.000Z
End: 2022-04-05T13:22:00.000Z
Location: Whistler to Denham, Mississippi

From Whistler to Denham, this EF1 tornado ran 2.6 miles across Wayne County on April 5, 2022, touching down at 8:19 AM CDT and reaching 100 yards wide. It killed nobody.

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 mphthis tornado
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
EF2111 to 135 mph
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: EF1
Date: April 5, 2022
Touchdown: 8:19 AM CDT (13:19 UTC)
Lifted: 8:22 AM CDT (13:22 UTC)
On the ground: 3 minutes
Path length: 2.6 miles (4.1 km)
Path width: 100 yards (91 m)
Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
County: Wayne County
Touchdown point: 31.670, -88.775
Lift-off point: 31.671, -88.732
Record number: 2204050719-01

The damage survey

21 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS JAN and NWS MOB, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF2. The highest wind the damage implies is 128 mph.

Widespread snapped pine trees
Date uncertain, start point
Several vortices with high end EF1 damage, many snapped pines and minor home damage
Significant tree snaps and uproots, weak convergence

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 very active Spring severe weather season continued in April. A very strong storm system and associated cold front swept across the area during the morning of April 5th. A very unstable atmosphere combined with strong wind shear led to a severe weather outbreak across portions of the deep south. Eight tornado tracks were found along with other areas of wind damage.

The tornado began in a heavily forested area west of Elbert|Mozingo Road and quickly traveled east across Elbert Mozingo Road|causing extensive tree damage to a large pine tree stand. Almost|all of the trees were snapped near the base suggesting upper bound|damage indicator. The tornado then continued east into a|forested area as it weakened briefly. The tornado then rapidly|strengthen again to its peak intensity of 130 mph south of Jim|Pitts Road. This damage was estimated by sentinel satellite data|as an extensive damage scar was noted with almost complete|deforestation occurring similar to other tornadoes that were rated|at 130 mph. The tornado then weakened as it approached Jim Pitts|Road from the south and lifted based off satellite data.

Tornado began west of Maynor Creek Road and south of Jim Pitts|Road estimated by sentinel satellite imagery. Damage was then|noted along Maynor Creek Road where several trees were uprooted|and snapped. A swath of trees snapped along the path that may have|been associated with a secondary vortex south of the main damage|swath. The tornado then continued east across Troy Sanderson Drive|and Dick Sanderson drive where trees were uprooted and snapped. A|couple homes had minor roof damage and a carport was lofted about|40 feet into a tree. The tornado appears to have weakened and|lifted shortly after Dick Sanderson Drive.

A brief but strong EF1 tornado began in the forested area west of|Duncan Hill Road. The tornado then quickly crossed Duncan Hill|Road snapping and uprooting numerous softwood trees. Several trees|fell on a home causing damage to the home. The tornado then|continued into the woods where the path was not able to be|tracked; however, it appears to have lifted somewhere in the|wooded areas east of Duncan Hill Road.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

8 minutes of warning. NWS MOB issued a tornado warning for this county at 13:11 UTC, 8 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 13:47 UTC.

The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 11:52 UTC and running to 15:33 UTC.

Issued (UTC)	Expired	Product	Office
11:35 UTC	12:15 UTC	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB
11:52 UTC	15:33 UTC	Tornado Watch	MOB
12:59 UTC	13:45 UTC	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB
13:11 UTC	13:47 UTC	Tornado Warning	MOB
13:33 UTC	13:48 UTC	Tornado Warning	MOB
13:40 UTC	14:30 UTC	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB
14:30 UTC	19:24 UTC	Flash Flood Warning	MOB
14:32 UTC	15:15 UTC	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB
14:53 UTC	15:45 UTC	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MOB

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 Enhanced Risk, with a 0.10 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 12:53 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 Mobile, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at Apr 5, 6:43 AM CDT, 1 hour 36 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 5, 6:43 AM CDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mobile AL
643 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

.AVIATION...
12Z issuance...Prevailing IFR to LIFR ceilings will continue
through much of the day today as a storm system pushes across the
area. Showers and thunderstorms, some of which can be severe, will
increase in coverage through the morning hours, before slowly
decreasing through the late afternoon. Ceilings may briefly lift
to low-end MVFR as rain chances lower, before decreasing back to
IFR of even LIFR during the evening and overnight hours. South to
southwesterly winds of 15 to 20 kts, with gusts up to 25 to 30 kts
are expected today outside of storms. Winds will slowly subside by
the evening hours. /96

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 459 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022/

NEAR TERM UPDATE /Now Through Wednesday/...Upper-level flow has
turned southwesterly as the first of two shortwave troughs,
currently located over the eastern Oklahoma/Texas region,
approaches. This shortwave will move across our area Tuesday and
will be responsible for our first significant weather event of
the near term period. The second trough lags behind and moves
across the area on Wednesday, bringing with it a second potential
severe weather event. At the surface, southeasterly winds are well
established across the area as high pressure has pushed off the
Eastern Seaboard. Additionally, a northward-moving warm front is
currently located across our coastal counties, bringing with it a
surge of deep-layer moisture. Current observations and analysis
show that the warm front is separating mid to upper 50 dew points
and 0.8-1.0 inch PWATs over our northeastern counties from upper
60 to low 70 dew points and 1.5-1.7 inch PWATs across our coastal
and southern MS counties. This front will continue pushing north,
bringing with it a chance for showers and storms.

As the initial neutral to slightly positively-tilted upper
shortwave trough races east across northern Mississippi and
Northern Alabama this morning, it will gradually take on a more
neutral to possibly slight negative tilt. Out ahead of the trough,
thunderstorms have transitioned into a squall line/QLCS over
northern Louisiana/southern Arkansas. With the best upper
divergence centered overhead and with a rather potent 300 mb jet,
there is no apparent reason to suggest that the squall line, and
any isolated storms that may develop out ahead, will not pack a
considerable punch. Current high-res model guidance continues to
suggest two potential rounds of severe hazards on Tuesday, with an
additional hazard of flash flooding and possibly also some minor
coastal flooding concerns over the northern reaches of Mobile Bay
around the time of astronomical high tide, which will occur in the
early to mid afternoon hours on Tuesday.

Severe Round One...This potential round of severe storms will
involve storms that develop in association with the warm front.
Surface Based CAPEs south of the warm front currently range from
1000 to 1500 J/KG, with up to 2000 J/kg lurking just offshore.
Impressive effective Bulk Shear values of 45 to 50 knots are
resulting in large, looping hodographs and leading to 0-1km SRH
values of 150 to 200 m2/s2. Considering the aforementioned
environment, discrete supercells developing our ahead of the main
squall line will likely favor all severe hazards, especially along
and south of the warm front. One question that remains is if the
supercells develop to the north or south of the warm front
(although some high-res CAMs still suggest both may occur). If
they form north of the warm front, storms would be elevated and
shear profiles would support splitting supercells. This scenario
would support a hail threat, especially with mid-level lapse rates
in the 7 to 7.5 C/km range. Some larger hail approaching golf
ball size might be supported in this scenario. Now, if storms form
south of the warm front, then surface based supercells would be
possible with all severe modes possible including tornadoes (some
of which could be strong), damaging wind gusts, and large hail. We
will potentially see both types of discrete cells develop across
the region. Cells are already firing up over southeast MS and
southwest AL. Storms will begin developing further east into
southern AL and the western FL panhandle through the mid to late
morning hours. Also, as a LLJ begins to strengthen over the area,
0-1 km SRH values are expected to increase to 200 to 300+ along
and south of the warm front with plenty of instability and no
capping expected, which would lead to supporting a few strong
tornadoes as mentioned above.

Severe Round 2...Round two will consist of hazards associated with
the squall line itself, which will likely enter our interior
southeastern MS counties around sunrise Tuesday morning, move east
across our southeast MS counties through around 8 or 9 AM, and
quickly progress eastward across southwest AL and the western FL
panhandle through the early to mid afternoon hours. Forecast
guidance continues to vary on exact timing, but in general the
timing of the squall lines progression east across the area is
relatively unchanged from earlier today. As already mentioned,
Cape looks rather impressive with 1500 to 2500 J/KG across the
area out ahead of the squall. The 850mb jet ahead of the system is
upwards of 55 to 60 kts. This higher momentum air could easily be
entrained in convective downdrafts resulting in the potential of
widespread damaging winds up to 70 mph. Shear profiles will
continue to support the possibility of tornadoes embedded along
the leading edge of the squall line as well (fast moving and
strong tornadoes cannot be ruled out). This will be especially
true where bowing segments become more favorably aligned
north/south vs. northeast to southwest. Most high-res CAMs
indicated that the squall line will be east of most of our area by
late afternoon Tuesday (possibly hanging a little longer in parts
of the western FL panhandle).

Flash Flooding Threat...Heavy rainfall and flash flooding could be
a threat with this system as well. Given the positive and fast
moving nature of the trough, the cold pool of the squall line is
expected to slowly orient itself west to east as it approaches the
coast. While this will likely diminish the severe threat closer
to the coast, it will likely bring our more flash flood prone
urban areas under the gun of training storms. Deep layer westerly
flow will overrun the cold pool with weak convergence noted in the
low-levels. With PWATS of 1.75 to 2 inches, high-res guidance is
showing areas under this convergence zone picking up 2 to 4 inches
of rain with local amounts greater than 4 inches. It will be
critical for us to watch where this sets up as this could lead to
some issues; especially if it finds its way across the I-10
corridor or south where urban areas are concentrated, leading to
poor drainage and greater flash flooding potential. This threat
will likely occur from about noon through early evening hours. If
confidence in this threat increases, will could issue a Flash
Flood Watch for southern portions of the area.

Coastal Flooding Threat...Around the times of astronomical high
tides primarily from mid to late afternoon, there will be a low
end threat of some minor coastal flooding high tides and coastal
flood threat for northern Mobile Bay on Tuesday. Some of our
coastal flood guidance indicates we could be nearing our criteria
for minor flooding to occur, mainly around the I-10 ramps on the
eastbound lane of the US90 Causeway. The most aggressive guidance
just barely reaches criteria for minor flooding in that area, so
will not issue a Coastal Flood Advisory at this point, but will
monitor the situation closely.

For the remainder of the near term period, Tuesday night through
Wednesday, expect a brief lull in the weather late Tuesday night
into early Wednesday morning. Looking at the remainder of the day
on Wednesday, upper support has moved off by Wednesday. There is
good instability developing during the day however, with guidance
advertising MLCapes rising into the 2500-3000 J/kg range on
average. With the decrease in upper support, wind shear decreases,
with Bulk Shear topping out in the 35-40 kt range, minimal for
strong storms to severe storms. 0-1km helicities average around
125-150 m2/s2, enough for some rotators to mix in. Looking at the
model soundings across the area, direction is generally linear,
leading towards a squall line moving across the area ahead of the
approaching cold front. Also, with the boundary in the area and
good heating ahead, discrete cells are possible ahead of the
approaching front. Model soundings show a convection initiating
limiting cap present in the morning, tending to limit storms to
the afternoon and early evening. All in all, the risk for strong
to severe storms has decreased from Tuesday, with SPC advertising
a Slight Risk. Wind damage looks to be the primary mode of damage,
with tornadoes possible. Steep mid level lapse rates of 7-8C/km
are present along and southeast of I-65, lending to large hail
development. A last item in the severe bag to look at, additional
rainfall amounts are expected to not be all that impressive,
though depending upon how much rain is realized Tuesday, and the
stalled surface boundary to focus cell formation, training cells
may add to any water issues from the previous round of weather.
/96 /12

SHORT TERM /Wednesday night Through Thursday night/...The upper
closed low pressure system centered over the extreme western Great
Lakes region will expand southeastward through the short term. A
cold front moves southeast from the Plains across the forecast
area Wednesday night in response to this expansion of upper low
into our region. MLCapes will still range from 2000-2500J/kg, Bulk
Shear in the 30-40kt range, and 0-1km helicities ranging from
125-200m^2/s^2. As a result, strong to severe storms will remain
likely during the evening hours ahead of the advancing cold front
with wind damage the primary threat, with isolated tornadoes
possible. Additional rainfall amounts are expected to not be all
that impressive, though depending upon how much rain is realized
in the near term, training cells may add to any water issues.

Looking at temperatures, the cold front will cool things off
Wednesday night, with low temperatures ranging from around 50
degrees northwest zones to mid 50s southeast zones. Around to
below seasonal temperatures continue for Thursday, with high
temperatures topping out between 68 to 74 degrees, with lows
bottoming out in the 40s Thursday night. /22

EXTENDED TERM /Friday Through Monday/...A massive upper trof over
the eastern two-thirds of the CONUS continues to amplify while
moving into the eastern states through Saturday, then finally
moves off into the western Atlantic on Sunday. A dry west to
northwest surface flow prevails over the area through Saturday as
a surface ridge builds into the region in the wake of the passage
of the cold front Wednesday night. A light return flow develops on
Sunday as the surface ridge shifts eastward across the area.
Progressively cooler air flows into the area during much of the
period, with lows Friday night looking to range from the upper 30s
well inland to the mid 40s at the coast. Lows Saturday night will
be similar. Likewise, daytime highs trend cooler and will be in
the 60s Friday and Saturday. With the return flow developing on
Sunday, a warming trend ensues with highs in the 70s. /29/16

MARINE...Strong south to southwesterly flow, in association with
a storm system moving through the area today, will decrease to
moderate late tonight into Wednesday. Due to this, a Small Craft
Advisory will be in effect for all marine zones through Tuesday
evening. By Wednesday night, a strong cold front will push through
the region, giving way to moderate to occasionally strong
northwesterly flow through the end of the week. Another Small
Craft Advisory may become necessary during the mid to late week
period. /96

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...High Rip Current Risk through Thursday afternoon for ALZ265-266.

     High Surf Advisory from noon today to midnight CDT tonight for
     ALZ265-266.

FL...High Rip Current Risk through Thursday afternoon for FLZ202-204-
     206.

     High Surf Advisory from noon today to midnight CDT tonight for
     FLZ202-204-206.

MS...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 4 PM CDT this afternoon for
     GMZ630>636.

     Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM CDT this evening for GMZ650-655-
     670-675.

&&

This product is also available on the web at:
www.weather.gov/mob

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 5, 5:50 AM CDT, 2 hours 29 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
550 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

ALZ053>057-262-051130-
Clarke AL-Wilcox AL-Baldwin Inland AL-Monroe AL-Conecuh AL-Butler AL-
550 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Butler,
Monroe, north central Baldwin, northeastern Clarke, Wilcox and
Conecuh Counties through 630 AM CDT...

At 549 AM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated
strong thunderstorms scattered along a line extending from
Thomasville to 5 miles northwest of Frisco City to 6 miles northwest
of McCullough. Movement was northeast at 60 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...
Monroeville, Thomasville, Evergreen, Camden, Frisco City, Peterman,
Georgiana, Uriah, Whatley, Pine Hill, McKenzie, Castleberry, Excel,
Beatrice, Vredenburgh, Fulton, Repton, Yellow Bluff, Pine Apple and
I65 And US 84.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 3205 8718 3205 8687 3196 8686 3196 8677
      3180 8660 3152 8667 3152 8670 3143 8669
      3129 8672 3126 8694 3124 8762 3117 8762
      3117 8769 3144 8779 3171 8775 3199 8784
      3199 8767 3201 8762 3204 8762 3211 8724
TIME...MOT...LOC 1049Z 240DEG 56KT 3191 8771 3149 8747 3120 8762

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, Apr 5, 6:11 AM CDT, 2 hours 8 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
611 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

MSZ067-075-076-051200-
Perry MS-Greene MS-Wayne MS-
611 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Perry,
southwestern Wayne and northwestern Greene Counties through 700 AM
CDT...

At 611 AM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm over Sunrise, or 5 miles southeast of Petal,
moving northeast at 35 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...
Richton.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 3143 8915 3143 8894 3162 8894 3169 8883
      3135 8874 3119 8914
TIME...MOT...LOC 1111Z 236DEG 31KT 3129 8918

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, Apr 5, 6:44 AM CDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
644 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

ALZ056>058-060-051230-
Conecuh AL-Butler AL-Covington AL-Crenshaw AL-
644 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Butler,
Crenshaw, east central Conecuh and northwestern Covington Counties
through 730 AM CDT...

At 644 AM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm near Evergreen, moving northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel 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...
Evergreen, Luverne, Georgiana, Brantley, McKenzie, Rutledge, Dozier,
Glenwood, Petrey and I65 And US 84.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

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 3134 8702 3144 8706 3197 8624 3183 8618
      3179 8620 3179 8616 3175 8614 3166 8615
      3162 8618 3162 8615 3154 8615
TIME...MOT...LOC 1144Z 246DEG 53KT 3146 8690

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Local storm report, Apr 5, 6:51 AM CDT, 1 hour 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
651 AM CDT TUE APR 5 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0600 AM     HAIL             CATHERINE               32.18N 87.47W
04/05/2022  E1.50 INCH       WILCOX             AL   PUBLIC

            PICTURES ON SOCIAL MEDIA OF HAIL OF QUARTER
            TO PING PONG BALL SIZE.

&&

JFB

Special weather statement, Apr 5, 7:12 AM CDT, 1 hour 7 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
712 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

ALZ051>053-MSZ067-076-051300-
Clarke AL-Choctaw AL-Washington AL-Greene MS-Wayne MS-
712 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Choctaw, northern Washington, west central Clarke, southeastern Wayne
and northeastern Greene Counties through 800 AM CDT...

At 711 AM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm 8 miles southwest of Buckatunna, or 14 miles
south of Waynesboro, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel 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...
Chatom, Saint Stephens, Leroy, Millry, State Line, Buckatunna, Silas
and Coffeeville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM CDT for southwestern
Alabama...and southeastern Mississippi.

&&

LAT...LON 3136 8866 3150 8877 3189 8816 3147 8792
TIME...MOT...LOC 1211Z 240DEG 39KT 3147 8864

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

MM

Special weather statement, Apr 5, 8:04 AM CDT, 15 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mobile AL
804 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

ALZ052>054-051345-
Clarke AL-Wilcox AL-Washington AL-
804 AM CDT Tue Apr 5 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Washington, northern Clarke and southwestern Wilcox Counties through
845 AM CDT...

At 804 AM CDT, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated a
strong thunderstorm 4 miles east of Coffeeville, or 14 miles west of
Grove Hill, moving northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 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...
Thomasville, Grove Hill, Pine Hill, Coffeeville, Fulton and Yellow
Bluff.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 200 PM CDT for south central
and southwestern Alabama.

&&

LAT...LON 3183 8740 3183 8750 3181 8750 3181 8752
      3176 8752 3159 8803 3159 8819 3170 8817
      3170 8809 3176 8810 3175 8814 3177 8816
      3183 8815 3199 8785 3199 8767 3200 8766
      3200 8763 3211 8762 3213 8758 3214 8752
TIME...MOT...LOC 1304Z 241DEG 42KT 3175 8801

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

The 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

1.3 hours before the tornado, 144 km from the path. April 5, 2022.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -71595 J/kg
Surface CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1272 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 48 kt
0-1 km bulk shear: 50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -179 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: -243 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0
0-3 km lapse rate: 4.5 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Jackson, MS (KJAN), 00:00Z

10.7 hours after it, 144 km from the path. April 6, 2022.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.

Hodograph

Mixed-layer CAPE: 1126 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -11 J/kg
Surface CAPE: 1282 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1062 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 32 kt
0-1 km bulk shear: 9 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 22 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 149 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.1
Supercell composite: 0.8
0-3 km lapse rate: 6.4 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The surface observations

Laurel (LUL), 40 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)	Temp (°F)	Dew point (°F)	Wind	Gust (kt)	Pressure (mb)	Weather
11:35 UTC	70	69.6	160° 9 kt		1003
11:55 UTC	70.2	69.3	170° 12 kt	17	1003
12:15 UTC	69.3	67.6	170° 10 kt		1003.4	-RA
12:35 UTC	69.3	68.7	170° 10 kt	21	1003.4	+RA BR
12:55 UTC	69.4	69	280° 14 kt	24	1004.7	RA BR
13:15 UTC	64.8	64	330° 7 kt	17	1005.1	+RA
13:35 UTC	64.6	63	180° 12 kt		1006.4	+RA BR
13:55 UTC	63	62.4	190° 9 kt		1006.1	+RA BR
14:15 UTC	62.4	62	190° 6 kt		1005.8	-RA
14:35 UTC	62	61.5	240° 9 kt		1008.1	RA BR
14:55 UTC	61.7	61	270° 7 kt		1007.1	RA BR
15:15 UTC	62	61	240° 8 kt		1008.1	RA

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of airport observations.

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 121 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 13:19 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
12:30 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	Ellisville	Jones, MS	LARGE TREE DOWNED.
12:50 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	1 Sse Enterprise	Clarke, MS	A FEW TREES DOWN BETWEEN ENTERPRISE AND STONEWALL.
12:53 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	3 Nne Ellisville	Jones, MS	LARGE TREE DOWN ON PALMER RD, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF PALMER RD AND HWY 11 IN ELLISVILLE. REPORT, WITH PICTURE, RELAYED VIA TWITTER.
12:56 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	5 Sse Glade	Jones, MS	SEVERAL TREES DOWN ALONG HWY 15, ABOUT HALF A MILE SOUTH OF GEORGE BOUTWELL RD.
12:57 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	Heidelberg	Jasper, MS	TREE DOWN, BLOCKING S. PINE AVE IN HEIDELBERG.
12:58 UTC	TORNADO	4 Se Ellisville	Jones, MS	THIS EF-1 TORNADO STARTED ALONG MS HWY 29 AND TRACKED ENE ACROSS MS HWY 15 BEFORE DISSIPATING IN THE DE SOTO NATIONAL FOREST. AT THE START, LARGE LIMBS WERE DOWNED ALONG WITH A COUPLE OF UPROOTED TREES. THE TORNADO GREW
13:02 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	2 E Vossburg	Clarke, MS	TREES DOWN ALONG CR 250, POSSIBLE TORNADO.
13:06 UTC	TORNADO	4 Ssw Harmony	Clarke, MS	THIS BRIEF EF1 TORNADO BEGAN ALONG CR 277 IN SOUTHWEST CLARKE CO, WHERE IT DEMOLISHED A SHED AND BLEW A SMALLER ONE AWAY. TIN WAS PULLED BACK ON THE ROOF OF A HOUSE AND TREES WERE SNAPPED AND UPROOTED IN THE AREA. THE TO
13:07 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	4 Ssw Harmony	Clarke, MS	TREES DOWN ON CR 277, TREES DOWN ON HOMES, POSSIBLE TORNADO.
13:14 UTC	TORNADO	2 S Whistler	Wayne, MS	THE TORNADO BEGAN IN A HEAVILY FORESTED AREA WEST OF ELBERT MOZINGO ROAD AND QUICKLY TRAVELED EAST ACROSS ELBERT MOZINGO ROAD CAUSING EXTENSIVE TREE DAMAGE TO A LARGE PINE TREE STAND. ALMOST ALL OF THE TREES WERE SNAPPED
13:18 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	Whistler	Wayne, MS	NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED AND UPROOTED. A FEW STRUCTURES WITH ROOF DAMAGE.
13:19 UTC	TORNADO	2 Se Whistler	Wayne, MS	EF1 TORNADO BEGAN WEST OF MAYNOR CREEK ROAD AND SOUTH OF JIM PITTS ROAD ESTIMATED BY SENTINEL SATELLITE IMAGERY. DAMAGE WAS THEN NOTED ALONG MAYNOR CREEK ROAD WHERE SEVERAL TREES WERE UPROOTED AND SNAPPED. A SWATH OF TRE
13:36 UTC	TSTM WND DMG	1 N Denham	Wayne, MS	NUMEROUS TREES DOWN IN THE DENHAM AREA.
13:36 UTC	TORNADO	2 N Denham	Wayne, MS	A BRIEF BUT STRONG EF1 TORNADO BEGAN IN THE FORESTED AREA WEST OF DUNCAN HILL ROAD. THE TORNADO THEN QUICKLY CROSSED DUNCAN HILL ROAD SNAPPING AND UPROOTING NUMEROUS SOFTWOOD TREES. SEVERAL TREES FELL ON A HOME CAUSING D

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the track Every 2022 tornado in Mississippi Every tornado in Mississippi since 1950 Warnings in force in Mississippi now The forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of April 5, 2022

66 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

Date	Time	Rating	Where	Path (mi)	Width (yd)	Deaths	Injuries	Damage
April 5	3:45 AM CDT	EF1	Lincoln Parish, LA	5.1	150			$10,000
April 5	6:46 AM CDT	EF1	Scott, MS	7.6	100			$40,000
April 5	7:00 AM CDT	EF1	Scott, MS	4.7	300			$25,000
April 5	7:06 AM CDT	EF1	Jefferson Davis, MS	3.1	100			$40,000
April 5	7:09 AM CDT	EF1	Scott, MS	2.1	100			$25,000
April 5	7:09 AM CDT	EF2	Jefferson Davis, MS	14.8	400			$150,000
April 5	7:16 AM CDT	EF1	Newton, MS	4.0	100			$75,000
April 5	7:22 AM CDT	EF1	Covington, MS	16.5	440			$81,000
April 5	7:56 AM CDT	EF1	Jones, MS	8.6	250			$50,000
April 5	8:06 AM CDT	EF1	Clarke, MS	2.9	250			$150,000
April 5	8:14 AM CDT	EF2	Wayne, MS	2.2	250
April 5	8:18 AM CDT	EF0	Lauderdale, MS	2.5	25			$30,000
April 5	8:36 AM CDT	EF1	Wayne, MS	0.3	50
April 5	9:03 AM CDT	EF2	Clarke, AL	9.5	800
April 5	9:10 AM CDT	EF1	Clarke, AL	1.8	100
April 5	10:10 AM CDT	EF1	Monroe, AL	1.5	75
April 5	10:54 AM CDT	EF2	Elmore, AL	4.4	900
April 5	10:56 AM CDT	EF2	Crenshaw, AL	1.3	250
April 5	11:03 AM CDT	EF2	Pike, AL	12.7	1,100
April 5	11:06 AM CDT	EF0	Elmore, AL	5.3	300
April 5	11:19 AM CDT	EF1	Macon, AL	4.3	250
April 5	11:20 AM CDT	Unrated	Crenshaw, AL	0.4	25
April 5	11:22 AM CDT	EF0	Tallapoosa, AL	1.8	110
April 5	11:34 AM CDT	EF1	Pike, AL	7.6	550
April 5	11:45 AM CDT	EF0	Chambers, AL	0.4	200
April 5	11:50 AM CDT	EF1	Bullock, AL	1.6	600
April 5	12:38 PM CDT	EF1	Barbour, AL	1.5	200
April 5	2:04 PM EDT	EF1	Chattahoochee, GA	6.7	300
April 5	1:24 PM CDT	EF0	Henry, AL	2.8	50
April 5	2:29 PM EDT	EF1	Taylor, GA	3.0	150
April 5	1:38 PM CDT	EF0	Houston, AL	6.8	200			$150,000
April 5	1:39 PM CDT	EF1	Geneva, AL	0.2	50			$3,000
April 5	2:50 PM EDT	EF1	Taylor, GA	7.2	300
April 5	1:53 PM CDT	EF0	Houston, AL	0.1	25			$50,000
April 5	3:01 PM EDT	EF1	Macon, GA	17.3	250
April 5	3:07 PM EDT	EF1	Crawford, GA	8.8	200
April 5	3:15 PM EDT	EF1	Early, GA	4.9	50
April 5	3:15 PM EDT	EF1	Early, GA	7.1	50			$50,000
April 5	3:26 PM EDT	EF2	Dooly, GA	5.8	300
April 5	3:33 PM EDT	EF1	Bibb, GA	2.0	100
April 5	3:49 PM EDT	EF3	Houston, GA	3.9	820		3
April 5	3:50 PM EDT	EF3	Allendale, SC	13.3	1,000		1
April 5	3:51 PM EDT	EF0	Baker, GA	0.6	25
April 5	4:01 PM EDT	EF0	Baldwin, GA	1.7	150
April 5	4:11 PM EDT	EF1	Twiggs, GA	12.3	400
April 5	4:12 PM EDT	EF1	Mitchell, GA	8.1	50			$100,000
April 5	4:14 PM EDT	EF1	Bleckley, GA	7.6	125
April 5	4:18 PM EDT	EF1	Bamberg, SC	3.7	250
April 5	4:20 PM EDT	EF0	Wilcox, GA	9.4	200
April 5	4:39 PM EDT	EF0	Bamberg, SC	2.4	200
April 5	4:53 PM EDT	EF0	Orangeburg, SC	1.0	50
April 5	5:07 PM EDT	EF0	Orangeburg, SC	0.8	200
April 5	5:10 PM EDT	EF0	Treutlen, GA	0.9	100
April 5	5:17 PM EDT	EF1	Treutlen, GA	0.8	200
April 5	5:18 PM EDT	EF4	Pembroke–Black Creek tornado, GA	14.4	1,300	1	12
April 5	5:22 PM EDT	EF1	Emanuel, GA	6.2	150
April 5	5:27 PM EDT	EF0	Emanuel, GA	0.7	50
April 5	5:35 PM EDT	EF2	Lexington, SC	5.7	100		1
April 5	6:03 PM EDT	EF1	Allendale, SC	1.3	100
April 5	6:03 PM EDT	EF3	Allendale, SC	34.5	500

All 67 of them

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.