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