NWS Jackson, MS Late December Tornadoes

Late December 2015 Tornadoes

Overall Event Summary

Much above normal temperatures, with some record warmth, and high amounts of moisture in the region led to an active period of weather throughout the month of December. With such warm and moist conditions in place, many upper disturbances and strong frontal systems sparked severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to develop across the region in December, with the strongest and most widespread tornado event in north Mississippi on December 23rd.

Location	Start/ End Time	Event Type	Fatalities/Injuries	Path Length	Path Width
Bolivar/Coahoma/Quitman/Panola County 5 NE Shelby to 5.3 E Como (Panola Co)	2:54 PM- 3:57 PM	EF-3 Tornado (EF-1 in Bolivar Co) 160 mph	Deaths: 11 Injured: 56 (None in Bolivar Co)	63 miles (5 mi in Bolivar Co)	800 yards
Smith County 3 SE Pineville to 3 SE Pineville	3:51 PM- 3:52 PM	EF-0 Tornado 80 mph	none	0.75 miles	50 yards
Covington County 2.5 SW Seminary to 2.9 N Seminary	5:43 AM- 5:51 AM	EF-1 Tornado 95 mph	none	5.6 miles	100 yards

December 23, 2015 Bolivar/Coahoma/Quitman/Panola County EF-3 Tornado

Event Summary
This tornado touched down about a mile east of US Highway 61 and moved northeast, downing trees and power lines along the path. Damage in Bolivar County was rated EF-1, but the tornado continued into Coahoma County producing more significant damage farther northeast resulting in the EF-3 rating.

Rating: (Click for EF Scale)	EF-3 (EF-1 in Bolivar Co)
Estimated Maximum Wind:	160 mph
Fatalities/Injuries:	Deaths: 11 Injuries: 56 None in Bolivar Co
Damage Path Length:	63 miles (5 mi in Bolivar Co)
Maximum Path Width:	800 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	5 NE Shelby 2:54 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:	5.3 E Como (Panola Co) 3:57 pm

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December 25, 2015 Smith County EF-0 Tornado

Event Summary
A chicken house was damaged with a tin roof partially torn off along with trees downed. This damage occurred along County Road 529. Residents witnessed the tornado move through the area.

Rating: (Click for EF Scale)	EF-0
Estimated Maximum Wind:	80 mph
Fatalities/Injuries:	none
Damage Path Length:	3/4 mile
Maximum Path Width:	50 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	3 SE Pineville 3:51 pm
Approximate End Point/Time:	3 SE Pineville 3:52 pm

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December 28, 2015 Covington County EF-1 Tornado

Event Summary

This brief tornado touched down 2.5 miles southwest of Seminary and tracked to the northeast before crossing Seminary Sumrall Road where it destroyed a barn and snapped some trees. As it crossed the Road a shed was destroyed and more trees were uprooted and snapped. The tornado then crossed Tower Road and shortly after caused severe damage to a carport that fell on a vehicle. The tornado then crossed Seminary Mike Conner Road where it uprooted some trees. The tornado continued northeast and right before crossing Highway 49, several trailers were blown onto the highway and a fireworks stand was destroyed. Numerous trees were snapped in the area as the tornado crossed the highway. The tornado continued on the ground crossing Evergreen Church Road and Ray Harvey Road where it snapped more trees. In this area it produced severe roof damage to a home and snapped trees. The tornado then crossed watts Road where large limbs were downed and trampoline was destroyed. The tornado lifted soon after crossing Watts Road north of Seminary.

Rating: (Click for EF Scale)	EF-1
Estimated Maximum Wind:	95 mph
Fatalities/Injuries:	none
Damage Path Length:	5.6 miles
Maximum Path Width:	100 yards
Approximate Start Point/Time:	2.5 SW Seminary 5:43 am
Approximate End Point/Time:	2.9 N Seminary 5:51 am

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