EF1 tornado in Pearl River County, Mississippi

A brief EF-1 tornado touched down just west of Bales Ave in Picayune, MS. This tornado quickly traveled northeast, with widespread tree damage in the eastern part of the town. Many trees were snapped at the base with multiple tin roofs ripped off as well as minor structural damage. The worst damage was to two trailers just west of the highway. One was spun 180 degrees and flipped with extensive damage and another rolled 100 yards and was completely obliterated. The tornado crossed the highway with other straight line wind damage noted along the damage path on

the east side of the highway. The tornado seems to have lifted near Northwood drive where a small shed was destroyed along with minor structural damage and multiple trees and branches snapped. On both sides of the path there was

evidence of straight line wind damage which was consistent with radar at the time. The width that was estimated was due to a wider swath seen in the east part of the city. It was difficult to distinguish tornado vs. straight line wind at times.

A warm front lifted north across the local area during the morning hours. This brought in a surge of warm and moist air. At the same time, mid level temperatures were dropping. That combination dramatically increased instability across the region. A line of thunderstorms and discrete cells ahead of the cold front developed and produced a few tornadoes, flash flooding, and damaging wind gusts.