NWS Jackson, MS - November 29-30, 2010 Severe Weather Event

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Event Summary

During the evening hours of November 29^th and the overnight/early morning period of the 30^th, the region was impacted by an outbreak of tornadoes. This outbreak brought 13 tornadoes to the forecast area. This occurred as potent storm system moved out of the Rockies and developed a strong area of low pressure across the Central Plains. This surface low caused a warm front to take shape and quickly lift northward across the forecast during the afternoon of the 29^th. Warm and humid conditions pushed north, which led to unstable conditions over the region just ahead of the advancing strong cold front. The wind energy through the atmosphere was strong. The resulting wind shear (change in wind speed or direction with height) was strong and very favorable for rotating storms and supporting tornadoes. As the clash of systems occurred, a mix of supercell thunderstorms developed, along with a broken line of thunderstorms. A handful of these storms utilized the strong wind shear present and produced tornadoes. Overall, 13 tornadoes occurred with 5 being of the strong variety (EF2-EF3). The strongest tornado occurred over NW Leake and southern Attala Counties. Here, an EF3 moved along a 10 mile path and destroyed numerous mobile homes, 6 people were injured. Four other strong tornadoes occurred and were all rated EF2. Two of these occurred in Yazoo County, one just SW of Yazoo City and the other in Downtown Yazoo City. Numerous buildings were damaged along with many trees and power lines down. Another EF2 occurred in Starkville where it destroyed multiple mobile homes in town. Fifteen injuries occurred in this area. The final EF2 occurred in Smith County. This tornado had an 11 mile path which started just SW of Raleigh to 6 miles NE of Raleigh. One brick home sustained significant damage along with numerous other buildings and sheds damaged.

This outbreak broke a streak of 3 years when no tornadoes occurred during the month of November across Mississippi. Additionally, the last Fall outbreak of tornadoes occurred on November 24, 2004. Historically, November marks the peak of our 2^nd severe weather season and ranks 3^rd as the most active month for tornadoes in Mississippi, just a few behind March.

Tornado Track Map

tornado track map

Tornado Information

Click on Each County Location for Additional Tornado Details

Location	Start/ End Time	EF Rating/ Max Wind Speed	Fatalities/ Injuries	Path Length	Path Width
Sharkey County 4 NNW Holly Bluff to 9 ESE Anguilla	Mon 11/29 7:19 pm - 7:23 pm	EF-1 95 mph	0	3.5 mi	100 yds
Issaquena/Sharkey Counties 1.5 NNE Valley Park to 2.5 NNE Valley Park	Mon 11/29 7:25 pm - 7:27 pm	EF-0 80 mph	0	1 mi	50 yds
Yazoo County 15.5 SW Yazoo City to 4 SW Yazoo City	Mon 11/29 7:46 pm - 8:00 pm	EF-2 125 mph	0	11.5 mi	200 yds
Warren County 3 NE Vicksburg to 4.5 NE Vicksburg	Mon 11/29 8:04 pm - 8:06 pm	EF-0 70 mph	0	1.5 mi	25 yds
Yazoo County Yazoo City to 7 NE Yazoo City	Mon 11/29 8:07 pm - 8:19 pm	EF-2 115 mph	0	7 mi	150 yds
Claiborne County 4.3 WNW Port Gibson	Mon 11/29 8:30 pm - 8:30 pm	EF-0 65 mph	0	100 yds	10 yds
Hinds County 7.6 NNW Utica to 4 S Edwards	Mon 11/29 9:09 pm - 9:18 pm	EF-0 70 mph	0	7 mi	50 yds
Claiborne County 6.2 NNE Port Gibson to 6.3 NNE Port Gibson	Mon 11/29 9:25 pm - 9:26 pm	EF-1 90 mph	0	0.25 mi	20 yds
Leake/Attala Counties 3.5 NW Thomastown to 3 E McAdams	Mon 11/29 9:38 pm - 9:50 pm	EF-3 140 mph	Injured: 6	10 mi	400 yds
Oktibbeha County 1.5 SW Starkville to Starkville	Mon 11/29 11:08 pm - 11:09 pm	EF-2 115 mph	Injured: 15	1.5 mi	200 yds
Clay County 3 NNW West Point to 4 N West Point	Mon 11/29 11:26 pm - 11:29 pm	EF-1 90 mph	0	2 mi	150 yds
Smith County 2.5 E Traxler to 6 NE Raleigh	Tue 11/30 2:43 am - 2:58 am	EF-2 125 mph	0	11 mi	0.3 mi
Jones County Tuckers Crossing to 7 NE Tuckers Crossing	Tue 11/30 5:50 am - 5:58 am	EF-0 80 mph	0	7 mi	30 yds