Tornadoes · United States · Mississippi · 2023

EF0 tornado, Gunn to Pineville, Mississippi, June 18, 2023

From Gunn to Pineville, this EF0 tornado ran 0.5 miles across Smith County on June 18, 2023, touching down at 10:23 PM CDT and reaching 100 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $2,000 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.

  1. EF065 to 85 mphthis tornado

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. EF186 to 110 mph

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. EF4166 to 200 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. 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.

  7. 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
EF0
Date
June 18, 2023
Touchdown
10:23 PM CDT (03:23 UTC)
Lifted
10:24 PM CDT (03:24 UTC)
On the ground
1 minutes
Path length
0.5 miles (0.8 km)
Path width
100 yards (91 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$2,000
County
Smith County
Touchdown point
32.084, -89.610
Lift-off point
32.088, -89.603
Record number
2306182123-01

The damage survey

41 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS JAN, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF1. The highest wind the damage implies is 107 mph.

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

An upper-level shortwave trough moving east through the Central Plains initiated a few clusters of thunderstorms that spread into Mississippi during the morning of June 18th. With an unstable air mass and strong jet stream over the region, these storms became severe and produced hail and damaging wind through the morning. An additional round of severe storms developed during the evening of the 18th and into the morning of the 19th. This even resulted in a rare June tornado outbreak. The previous record for number of June tornadoes in the state of Mississippi was 7 in 1974. A total of 15 tornadoes occurred across the state from June 18-19, 2023 - making this event a record in its own right. The tornado which occurred near Louin, MS was the first F3 or EF-3 rated tornado in the state since 1957.

An EF-0 tornado touched down along National Forest Road 521-A where it damaged several trees as it moved north into the woods. It quickly dissipated before meeting the loop of the road to the north. Estimated maximum wind speeds were 80 mph.

An EF-0 tornado touched down along MS Highway 18 just west of Raleigh and dissipated at Highway 35 a few miles north of Raleigh. It broke tree limbs and blew down a couple of trees along its path. Estimated maximum wind speeds were 80 mph.

An EF-1 tornado touched down along Smith County Road 501-2 and dissipated just after it crossed Smith County Road 529. The most intense damage was along MS Highway 501 where numerous trees were damaged and some minor damage occurred to a couple of homes. Multiple power lines were also blown down. Maximum estimated winds were 105 mph.

A second EF-1 developed a few minutes after the previous tornado in this area. This one touched down along MS Highway 501 where a few tree limbs were blown down. It intensified and damaged more trees as it crossed Sang Bender Road and Smith County Road 529 and turned northward. The tornado dissipated at Smith County Road 504. Estimated maximum wind speeds were 90 mph.

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

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 Jun 18, 9:44 PM CDT, 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 18, 9:44 PM CDT, 39 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Jackson MS
944 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

...New MESOSCALE UPDATE...

.MESOSCALE UPDATE...
Issued at 932 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

After the morning convection scoured out the airmass, afternoon
heating resulted in a rapid recovery and local radars were lit up
at mid evening with storms over our east and northeast Mississippi
zones. Much of this activity was producing severe weather with
wind and tornadoes being the main threat although hail and locally
heavy rain was also occuring with the strongest storms. This
activity was moving to the east and additional development is
expected during the next several hours. Some area rivers are in
flood from the rainfall over the last several days and in addition
to the severe weather threat, flash flooding will also be possible
over east Mississippi the next several hours. The chance for rain
has been adjusted based on radar trends and temperature curves
were adjusted based on rain cooled areas. /22/

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 356 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

Overview...

Severe storms will continue today and tonight as a short wave is
fueling an MCS and pushing southeastward into a very unstable
environment. 5800 j/kg of CAPE have been observed along with very
steep midlevel lapse rates around 8 c/km. Unseasonably strong deep
layer shear is helping to maintain these storms and and stagnant
pattern is fueling multiple rounds over several days. This is likely
to continue into tonight until Monday as an upper low traverses
across Tennessee and Alabama. This should turn flow northerly
across the area and advect drier air and should bring reprieve
from this current unsettled pattern for much of the area, but it
should be noted that climatology suggests it may be difficult to
maintain a drier airmass. As the upper low influences our area,
the stalled frontal boundary that has been in the vicinity of the
I-20 corridor should push south and west. Given available moisture
and instability, storms are still possible Monday along this
boundary in far southwest Mississippi and eastern Louisiana.
Throughout the week, temperatures and dewpoints should be
relatively lower providing some relief for much of the area.

Today and tonight...

Severe storms from this morning have cleared the area and skies are
clearing from west to east. Mid to upper 70s dewpoints are being
observed in southern Louisiana and this plume of moisture is
being advected into our area as evidenced by satellite imagery and
observations across the southeast. This should set up a nice
recovery of airmass ahead of a deepening low pressure system. As
of 1:40 PM, surface pressure measured was 1010mb and is falling
quickly, with modeled pressure falls to be as much as 6 mb in 6
hours. Many CAMs are in agreement with an intense QLCS that pushes
through later this evening and into tonight. Favorable convective
parameters (3500+ j/kg CAPE, vertical totals 31, midlevel lapse
rates 8 c/km) will be supportive of damaging wind gusts and large
hail once again. However, unlike previous events, southeasterlies
are being observed across the area as a boundary pushes northward
from southern Louisiana, which could increase tornado potential
with favorable low level shear. HRRR depicts 200-300 m^2/s^2 0-1
km SRH and WSW oriented shear vectors. CU fields are observed
along the boundary and mesoanalysis shows 5000-7000 j/kg of SBCAPE
across southern Louisiana, which will be supportive of rapid
upscale growth. /SAS/

Monday through next weekend...

Looking ahead to tomorrow, a residual boundary from tonight's
convection will serve as the main focus for a corridor of yet
another round of storms, with damaging wind gusts and large hail the
primary threats given 3500+ j/kg of CAPE and vertical totals 28-31.
There is however notably weaker shear as the pattern begins to wind
down and this may preclude extreme intensity, however strong to
severe storms are still probable along this boundary. Thankfully the
focus will be south and west of most of our area, however eastern
Louisiana and extreme southwest Mississippi may be impacted.

As mentioned previously, the pattern should wind down this week,
replaced by a rex block pattern that should relieve us from most
activity in the midst of an upper low advecting drier air on the
backside. Climatology dictates however that maintaining a drier
airmass will be difficult and rain and storms are still possible
daily, therefore have maintained pops. Despite daily pops, the
upcoming week should feature more seasonable norms. /SAS/

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 645 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

Local radars showed TSRA developing over the western and cntrl MS.
This activity will spread east northeast across the area affecting
most TAF sites this evening. Away from TSRA activity, VFR
conditions wl continue. After 06Z as the TSRA activity diminishes,
MVFR cigs are expected to develop and continue through 16Z before
improving to VFR by 18Z. The coverage of aftn and evng TSRA Monday
wl be across the se half of hour CWA. /22/

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Jackson       72  91  70  90 /  60  30  20  40
Meridian      70  90  68  91 /  70  40  20  40
Vicksburg     72  91  72  89 /  60  10  20  30
Hattiesburg   75  93  72  91 /  40  70  30  60
Natchez       73  94  73  90 /  50  20  30  50
Greenville    70  90  70  90 /  60   0  10  10
Greenwood     71  90  70  90 /  70   0  10  10

&&

.JAN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MS...Flood Watch until 7 AM CDT Monday for MSZ026>033-036>039-042>046-
     048>052-054>058-062>066-072>074.

LA...None.
AR...None.
&&

SAS20/22
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 18, 5:33 PM CDT, 4 hours 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Jackson MS
533 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-MSZ018-019-025-034-035-040-041-047-
192245-
Ashley-Chicot-Morehouse-West Carroll-East Carroll-Richland-
Madison LA-Bolivar-Sunflower-Leflore-Washington-Humphreys-
Issaquena-Sharkey-Warren-
533 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southeast
Arkansas, northeast Louisiana, central Mississippi, north central
Mississippi, northwest Mississippi, and west central Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Enhanced
TIMING...Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Tonight

Tonight, severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are
possible. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds up to
70 mph and large hail up to tennis ball size.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

Tonight, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in
low lying and urban areas. Minor river flooding is also possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday night through Saturday

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 tonight.

MSZ026>033-036>039-042>046-048>052-192245-
Grenada-Carroll-Montgomery-Webster-Clay-Lowndes-Choctaw-Oktibbeha-
Holmes-Attala-Winston-Noxubee-Yazoo-Madison MS-Leake-Neshoba-
Kemper-Hinds-Rankin-Scott-Newton-Lauderdale-
533 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central
Mississippi, east central Mississippi, north central Mississippi,
and northeast Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Enhanced
TIMING...Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Elevated
TIMING...Tonight

Tonight, severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are
possible. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds up to
70 mph and large hail up to tennis ball size.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

Tonight, areas of flash flooding likely and some roads could be
flooded or closed. Some structures may be potentially threatened
by high water. Minor river flooding is also possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday night through Saturday

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 tonight.

LAZ023-025-MSZ053-192245-
Franklin LA-Tensas-Claiborne-
533 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast
Louisiana, and southwest Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Enhanced
TIMING...Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Tonight

DANGEROUS HEAT
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Monday

Tonight, severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are
possible. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds up to
70 mph and large hail up to tennis ball size.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

Tonight, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in
low lying and urban areas. Minor river flooding is also possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

Monday, caution is advised for possible dangerous heat as heat
index values peak near 105 degrees. Heat exhaustion will be
possible with outdoor activity.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday night through Saturday

Isolated severe thunderstorms capable od damaging wind gusts and
hail up o the size of quarters are possible again over portions of
the outlook area Tuesday afternoon and evening.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/4.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values of 106 to
110 degrees is expected over southwest portions of the outlook
area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)
Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values near 105 degrees is
possible for portions of the outlook area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

.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 tonight
and Tuesday through Tuesday night.

MSZ059-061-192245-
Jefferson-Franklin MS-
533 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of southwest
Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Enhanced
TIMING...Mainly Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Tonight

DANGEROUS HEAT
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Monday

Mainly tonight, severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are
possible. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds up to
70 mph and large hail up to tennis ball size.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

Tonight, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in
low lying and urban areas. Minor river flooding is also possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

Monday, caution is advised for possible dangerous heat as heat
index values peak near 105 degrees. Heat exhaustion will be
possible with outdoor activity.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday night through Saturday

Isolated severe thunderstorms capable od damaging wind gusts and
hail up o the size of quarters are possible again over portions of
the outlook area Monday and Tuesday afternoon and evening.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/4.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values of 106 to
110 degrees is expected over southwest portions of the outlook
area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)
Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values near 105 degrees is
possible for portions of the outlook area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

.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 tonight
through Tuesday night.

LAZ024-026-MSZ060-192245-
Catahoula-Concordia-Adams-
533 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of northeast
Louisiana, and southwest Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Enhanced
TIMING...Mainly Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Tonight

DANGEROUS HEAT
THREAT...Elevated
TIMING...Monday

Mainly tonight, severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are
possible. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds up to
70 mph and large hail up to tennis ball size.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

Tonight, localized flash flooding is possible, particularly in
low lying and urban areas. Minor river flooding is also possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

Monday, dangerous heat likely with peak heat index values ranging
from 106 to 110 degrees. Heat exhaustion will be likely with
outdoor activity.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday night through Saturday

Isolated severe thunderstorms capable od damaging wind gusts and
hail up o the size of quarters are possible again over portions of
the outlook area Monday and Tuesday afternoon and evening.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/4.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values of 106 to
110 degrees is expected over southwest portions of the outlook
area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values near 105 degrees is
possible for portions of the outlook area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)
.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 tonight
through Tuesday night.

MSZ054-055-062>066-072>074-192245-
Copiah-Simpson-Lincoln-Lawrence-Jefferson Davis-Covington-Jones-
Marion-Lamar-Forrest-
533 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central
Mississippi, south central Mississippi, and southeast
Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Enhanced
TIMING...Mainly Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Elevated
TIMING...Tonight

DANGEROUS HEAT
THREAT...Limited
TIMING...Monday

Mainly tonight, severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are
possible. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds up to
70 mph and large hail up to tennis ball size.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

Tonight, areas of flash flooding likely and some roads could be
flooded or closed. Some structures may be potentially threatened
by high water. Minor river flooding is also possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

Monday, caution is advised for possible dangerous heat as heat
index values peak near 105 degrees. Heat exhaustion will be
possible with outdoor activity.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday night through Saturday

Isolated severe thunderstorms capable od damaging wind gusts and
hail up to the size of quarters are possible again over portions
of the outlook area Monday and Tuesday afternoon and evening.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/4.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values of 106 to
110 degrees is expected over southwest portions of the outlook
area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values near 105 degrees is
possible for portions of the outlook area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png) Tuesday
afternoon and evening.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/4.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values of 106 to 110
degrees is expected over southwest portions of the outlook area
again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values near 105 degrees is
possible for portions of the outlook area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

.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 tonight
through Tuesday night.

MSZ056>058-192245-
Smith-Jasper-Clarke-
533 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of central
Mississippi, and east central Mississippi.

.DAY ONE...Tonight and Monday

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THREAT...Enhanced
TIMING...Mainly Tonight

FLOODING
THREAT...Elevated
TIMING...Tonight

Mainly tonight, severe thunderstorms are likely and tornadoes are
possible. Some thunderstorms may produce damaging winds up to
70 mph and large hail up to tennis ball size.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/1.png)

Tonight, areas of flash flooding likely and some roads could be
flooded or closed. Some structures may be potentially threatened
by high water. Minor river flooding is also possible.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/2.png)

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday night through Saturday

Isolated severe thunderstorms capable od damaging wind gusts and
hail up o the size of quarters are possible again over portions of
the outlook area Monday and Tuesday afternoon and evening.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/4.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values of 106 to
110 degrees is expected over southwest portions of the outlook
area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

Dangerous heat with maximum heat index values near 105 degrees is
possible for portions of the outlook area again Monday.

(https://www.weather.gov/images/jan/graphicast/5.png)

.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 tonight
through Tuesday night.

0

&&

...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.

*DANGEROUS HEAT*
Extreme...Extreme heat is expected with peak heat index values
 in excess of 110 degrees for multiple days. Heat stroke continues
 to be a major concern.
Significant...Dangerous heat expected with peak heat index values
 in excess of 110 degrees. Heat stroke will be a significant
 concern.
Elevated...Dangerous heat likely with peak heat index values
 ranging from 106 to 110 degrees. Heat exhaustion will be likely.
Limited...Caution is advised for possible dangerous heat as
 heat index values peak near 105 degrees. Heat exhaustion will
 be 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

Tropical page...
   https://www.weather.gov/srh/tropical?office=jan
National Hurricane Center Home Page...
   https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
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

Local storm report, Jun 18, 5:13 PM CDT, 5 hours 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
513 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

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

0730 AM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 E Glade               31.66N 89.06W
06/18/2023                   Jones              MS   Public

            Report of lots of trees downed on lower
            Myrick rd.

&&

KP
Local storm report, Jun 18, 6:05 PM CDT, 4 hours 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
605 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

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

0238 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 SE Cloverdale         31.46N 91.38W
06/17/2023                   Adams              MS   Public

            A couple trees down between Sibley and
            Natchez.

&&

CE
Local storm report, Jun 18, 7:45 PM CDT, 2 hours 38 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
745 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

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

0645 AM     Hail             Crystal Springs         31.99N 90.36W
06/18/2023  E2.50 inch       Copiah             MS   Public

            Social media report of tennis ball sized
            hail.

&&

KP
Local storm report, Jun 18, 9:49 PM CDT, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
949 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

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

0928 PM     Tornado          2 SE Cross Roads        32.23N 89.75W
06/18/2023                   Rankin             MS   Trained Spotter

            Report of a tornado on the ground just south
            of Pelahatchie.

&&

KP
Local storm report, Jun 18, 10:13 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1013 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

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

0840 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 W Bellefontaine       33.65N 89.32W
06/18/2023                   Webster            MS   Emergency Mngr

            Trees downed along Mississippi Highway 404.

&&

ME
Local storm report, Jun 18, 10:21 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Jackson MS
1021 PM CDT Sun Jun 18 2023

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

0940 PM     Hail             Puckett                 32.08N 89.78W
06/18/2023  E0.88 inch       Rankin             MS   Law Enforcement

            Nickel size hail in Puckett.

&&

ME

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), 00:00Z

3.4 hours before the tornado, 52 km from the path. June 19, 2023.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2023-06-19Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 3876 joules per kilogram, CIN -6, lifted condensation level 1004 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
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.
HodographHodograph, Jackson, MS at 00:00Z on 2023-06-19The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 261 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 46 knots.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
3876 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Surface CAPE
4406 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1004 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
261 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
481 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
9.4
Supercell composite
42.8
0-3 km lapse rate
6.5 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The surface observations

Jackson/Thompson (JAN), 52 km from the path, in the two hours either side.

Time (UTC)Temp (°F)Dew point (°F)WindGust (kt)Pressure (mb)Weather
00:00 UTC

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

The radar

The Jackson/Brandon,MS radar (KDGX), 42 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 03:19 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.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2023 tornado in MississippiEvery tornado in Mississippi since 1950Warnings in force in Mississippi nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of June 18, 2023

20 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
June 181:09 AM CDTEF1Mayes, OK4.1300
June 181:12 AM CDTEF2Logan, AR5.4700
June 182:12 AM CDTEF0Perry, AR0.260
June 1811:10 AM EDTEF0Lee, FL0.010$5,000
June 1810:54 AM CDTEF1Clarke, MS2.0250$75,000
June 181:30 PM PDTEF0Linn, OR0.3150
June 184:57 PM CDTEF1Randolph, AR5.0300
June 187:38 PM CDTEF0Madison, MS1.6250$15,000
June 187:57 PM CDTEF1Madison, MS1.4300$500,000
June 188:04 PM CDTEF1Scott, MS6.5350$10,000
June 188:15 PM CDTEF2Union, AR10.31,320$2.0 million
June 188:29 PM CDTEF1Rankin, MS2.0300$25,000
June 188:58 PM CDTEF0Rankin, MS1.050$1,000
June 189:05 PM CDTEF2Rankin, MS6.1400$200,000
June 189:21 PM CDTEF0Rankin, MS0.9100$2,000
June 189:25 PM CDTEF1Rankin, MS5.5450$15,000
June 1810:27 PM CDTEF0Smith, MS2.6100$5,000
June 1810:52 PM CDTEF1Smith, MS2.5400$75,000
June 1810:59 PM CDTEF1Smith, MS4.5800$25,000
June 1811:29 PM CDTEF3Jasper, MS6.51,350125$5.0 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.