UPDATE, 4:54 A.M. THURSDAY: A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee until 12 PM CST.
PLEASE FOLLOW THURSDAY’S UP-TO-DATE STORM COVERAGE HERE.
According to the National Weather Service of Memphis, a Tornado Watch has also been issued for parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee until 5 a.m. Thursday.
The following counties are included in the Tornado Watch:
- Alcorn
- Benton
- Chester
- Coahoma
- Craighead
- Crittenden
- Crockett
- Cross
- DeSoto
- Dyer
- Fayette
- Hardeman
- Haywood
- Lafayette
- Lauderdale
- Lee
- Marshall
- Mcnairy
- Mississippi
- Panola
- Phillips
- Poinsett
- Quitman
- St. Francis
- Shelby
- Tate
- Tippah
- Tipton
- Tunica
UPDATE: A Tornado Warning has been issued for Lafayette, Tate, Panola, and Marshall counties.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Mid-South is expected to experience severe storms Wednesday night through Thursday morning. There is a possibility of large hail and flooding, along with a threat of tornadoes.
Tim Simpson’s Wednesday evening forecast:
Get ready for an active night of storms and possibly severe weather! A storm system is currently pushing toward the Mid South and increase the chances for shower and thunderstorm development. While some storms could form late this afternoon, the greatest risk of severe storms will occur somewhere in the 9PM til midnight time frame with the threat continuing during the overnight hours. Large hail is a threat, but the greatest risk tonight will be the potential for damaging winds and tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the Mid South in an ENHANCED RISK for severe storms so please be weather aware.
Tonight, showers and storms with a low dropping to 62. Wind from the southeast at 15-20 mph with higher gusts in and near storms.
More storms are expected on Thursday with a high reaching 67 degrees and winds shifting from the southwest to the northwest at 10-20 mph with higher gusts possible. Skies will be mostly cloudy Thursday night with a low dropping to 32 degrees.
Friday will be mostly sunny but noticeably cooler. Friday’s high 45, overnight low 28.
The National Weather Service for Memphis’ most recent forecast:
Areas in east-central Arkansas and northwest Mississippi are at the greatest risk of severe weather. The likely timing of this event will be 10PM Wednesday through 6AM Thursday.
Damaging winds and a few tornadoes are the biggest threat, with large hail and heavy rain possible.
In addition to severe weather, flooding will also be an issue as portions of the Mid-South are forecast to see 1-2″ of rainfall.