MidSouth Severe Weather OutbreakMidSouth Severe Weather OutbreakFebruary 5, 2008February 5, 2008
National Weather ServiceNational Weather ServiceMemphis, TNMemphis, TN
Tuesday Morning – Before the EventTuesday Morning – Before the Event• Monday afternoon HWO: potential for strong Monday afternoon HWO: potential for strong
tornadoes on Tuesdaytornadoes on Tuesday• Tuesday Morning Convective Outlook: Tuesday Morning Convective Outlook:
MidSouth under High RiskMidSouth under High Risk
Outbreak Focused on the MidSouthOutbreak Focused on the MidSouth
Wind Speed to EF-ScaleWind Speed to EF-Scale
EF-Scale CategoriesEF-Scale Categories Wind Speed RangesWind Speed Ranges
EF0EF0 65-8565-85
EF1EF1 86-11086-110
EF2EF2 111-135111-135
EF3EF3 136-165136-165
EF4EF4 166-200166-200
EF5EF5 >200>200
Wind Speed in mph, 3-Second gustWind Speed in mph, 3-Second gust
Shelby / Desoto CountiesShelby / Desoto Counties
• 9 Tornado Reports9 Tornado Reports• Average Warning Lead Time: 14.7 minutesAverage Warning Lead Time: 14.7 minutes• Widespread Continuous Media CoverageWidespread Continuous Media Coverage• Three fatalities – Shelby CountyThree fatalities – Shelby County• EF2 damage - Hickory Hill areaEF2 damage - Hickory Hill area• EF2 damage in separate tornado - ArlingtonEF2 damage in separate tornado - Arlington• Strongest tornadoes in Shelby County since Strongest tornadoes in Shelby County since
the F3 tornado of November 1994the F3 tornado of November 1994
Southhaven / Hickory Hill TornadoSouthhaven / Hickory Hill Tornado527 PM – 550 PM Loop527 PM – 550 PM Loop
Southhaven / Hickory Hill TornadoSouthhaven / Hickory Hill Tornado527 PM – 550 PM Loop 527 PM – 550 PM Loop
Madison CountyMadison County
• 5 Tornado reports5 Tornado reports• Union University – EF4 (approx. 170 mph Union University – EF4 (approx. 170 mph
winds) no known fatalities, 9 serious injuries. winds) no known fatalities, 9 serious injuries. • Average Warning Lead Time: 26 minutesAverage Warning Lead Time: 26 minutes• Widespread Continuous Media CoverageWidespread Continuous Media Coverage• Two fatalities in Huntersville (5W Jackson)Two fatalities in Huntersville (5W Jackson)
National Weather ServiceNational Weather ServiceMemphis, TNMemphis, TN
www.srh.noaa.gov/megwww.srh.noaa.gov/meg