Once again another weather system moved through the area and produced severe weather. This afternoon, widespread straight line winds knocked down numerous trees mainly east of I-55. I did notice a circulation on the radar from just to the south of Pearl into Brandon. Storm Shield 16 indicated winds were near 100mph in this area and this is where there was a small tornado. HERE IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE HAPPENED.

A squall line (line of heavy rain/t-storms) was moving west to east across the area. The line of storms quickly intensified east of Jackson and the I-55 corridor. Strong winds descended quickly out of the squall line producing a widespread area of 50-60mph winds. I did notice a small rotation around Pearson Road in Pearl, to the east and along I-20 to just west of Brandon. It is in this small area a brief tornado spun up along the line of storms. It has been rated at EF1 with winds between 86-110mph. Right on with what Storm Shield was showing at the time which was 100mph winds in the area. Otherwise widespread straight line winds knocked down numerous trees. Especially dead and old and hallowed out trees. Unfortunatley large trees falling on power lines and homes is a bad combination. Brandon EOC told me Brandon had winds of around 50mph and that most of the trees kncoked down were pine or dead trees, possibly damaged from when Katrina went through the area.

The wind storm from today was very similar to a deracho. Google that on the internet for more details. Typically, you do not see a dreacho in the winter as it is more common in the warmer spring weather months.

It is also interesting to note that the Storm Prediction Center did not have the Jackson area under a tornado watch at the time. A tornado watch was in effect for the area generally south of Highway 84 which would be a line from Natchez to Brookhaven and on to the Hattiesburg area. A tornado warning was in effect at the time the storm hit near Pearl.