A strong upper level disturbance combined with a strong cold front and associated surface low which crossed the region. A squall line developed across southeast Arkansas and moved quickly across north-central Mississippi during the morning, producing multiple reports of damaging winds and ping-pong to golf ball size hail. There were reports of multiple trees blown down, some roofs blown off buildings and wind gusts of 60-80 mph, with a 77 mph wind gust measured at the Columbus AFB surface observing station. A lone supercell moved across southeast Arkansas just after 1:00 pm and showed many indications of very large hail and strong rotation. This storm gradually began making more of a right turn and continued to dive southeast across northeast Louisiana before moving into Mississippi. This storm produced multiple reports of golf ball to baseball size hail as it continued to dive southeast, shattering windows in homes and vehicles. This storm gradually weakened as another storm began to develop just to the southwest over Morehouse Parish. The storm continued to move southeast with the southern edge of the storm beginning to develop supercell characteristics. This storm became the focus of activity as it began rapidly increasing in intensity and showing signs of producing large hail. Ping pong to tennis ball size hail fell as the storm moved into northern Warren County, breaking numerous windows on vehicles near Redwood. Strong winds blew a tree on a house and caused a minor injury near Redwood. The long-lived supercell continued to move into a favorable environment and produced multiple reports of golf ball to baseball size hail along its path as it moved into the Jackson metro area. The largest hailstone was softball size, or 4.25 inches, which fell in Clinton around 3:50 pm, shattering vehicle windshields. One injury occurred in the Pinehaven community near Clinton when a baseball size hailstone fell onto a resident causing head trauma. This supercell continued to move southeast over the downtown Jackson metro area with numerous reports of golf ball to baseball size hail falling all along the path. The large hail from this supercell caused major roof damage, shattered windshields and caused dents in numerous vehicles and siding damage to multiple mobile homes in the Jackson metro area. The squall line in northeastern Mississippi produced an outflow boundary that moved to the south and southeast which would serve as a focus for additional thunderstorm development ahead of the storm moving into western Mississippi. Thunderstorms began increasing in intensity along the outflow boundary and numerous reports of large hail continued in a swath down into southern Mississippi. Reports of golf ball to baseball size hail were received along a line from Seminary to Natchez and a few golf ball size hailstones fell south of Columbia. As the actual cold front finally made its way through the I-20 corridor and south, additional hail fell during the evening. However, this hail was significantly smaller than what fell earlier, with sizes ranging from nickel to quarter size. The thunderstorms gradually moved out of the Pine Belt region late on the evening of the 18th.
An elementary school in Clinton was damaged bad enough to have to close for the remainder of the school year, and many state and local law enforcement vehicles were heavily damaged or totaled. The amount of damages to the Jackson metro area were staggering and will be remembered for years to come. The hailstone that fell in Clinton was the 3rd largest hailstone in March in Mississippi since 1950, only surpassed by a grapefruit size hailstone that fell on March 30th, 1993 in Puckett, MS and on March 6th, 1996 in Laurel, MS. It was also the 7th largest hailstone to fall in Mississippi for any month, with the largest hailstone of 5.0 inches, or CD/DVD size, falling in Lafayette County on April 10th, 1962.

Hail in FRANKLIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 17:55:00 to 18-MAR-13 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: OLDENBURG
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in ADAMS, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 18:01:00 to 18-MAR-13 18:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HEZ)HARDY FLD NATCH
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in HINDS, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 18:40:00 to 18-MAR-13 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: COOPERS WELLS
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 12:05:00 to 18-MAR-13 12:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUCK HILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A roof was blown off of an outbuilding.

Hail in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 14:32:00 to 18-MAR-13 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NATIONAL CEMETERY
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 75.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of large hail crossed central Warren County, including the city of Vicksburg. Substantial damage occurred as a result of the hail. Windows were blown out of vehicles and homes, and significant body damage occurred to vehicles. Significant roof damage occurred to homes as well.

Thunderstorm Wind in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 14:15:00 to 18-MAR-13 14:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYNES BLUFF
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree fell on a house on Gowall Road.

Hail in HINDS, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 15:10:00 to 18-MAR-13 15:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITHS
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 75.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of large hail continued out of Warren County and moved across central Hinds County, including a portion of the Jackson metro area. Substantial vehicle damage occurred as windows were blown out, and substantial roof damage occurred as a result of the hail.

Hail in SIMPSON, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 16:05:00 to 18-MAR-13 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOUCHSTONE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in SIMPSON, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 16:30:00 to 18-MAR-13 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PINOLA
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in JASPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 16:35:00 to 18-MAR-13 16:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAY SPGS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in SMITH, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 16:45:00 to 18-MAR-13 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: CENTER RIDGE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Golf ball size hail damaged numerous vehicles in the area, including an 18-wheeler that had the windows broken out.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 13:00:00 to 18-MAR-13 13:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAHNS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

There was a swath of damaging thunderstorm winds across the county. A 20 foot section of the roof was blown off the Justice Court Building. There was roof damage to a home on Torbert Drive, and a tree fell and crushed a truck on Mapleview Drive. Numerous other trees and power lines were blown down across portions of the county. A woman was taken to the hospital with injuries after being blown over by the winds.

Hail in RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 15:10:00 to 18-MAR-13 15:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLAIN
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 100.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A large storm producing extremely large hail continued moving across the Jackson metro area and then across the rest of Rankin County. Hail up to 2.5 inches in diameter fell as this storm moved east causing substantial damage to vehicles and buildings. Baseball size hail fell at the MEMA State EOC causing extensive damage to state and personal vehicles. The Whitfield State Hospital had numerous windows blown out and extensive roof damage with glass ending up in patients' beds.

Hail in MONTGOMERY, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 12:05:00 to 18-MAR-13 12:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUCK HILL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail fell in Duck Hill.

Hail in WASHINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 12:20:00 to 18-MAR-13 12:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREENVILLE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Ping pong to golf ball size hail fell all around the Greenville and Stoneville areas.

Hail in SUNFLOWER, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 12:50:00 to 18-MAR-13 12:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOWLES
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Golf ball size hail fell in Bowles.

Hail in LOWNDES, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 13:10:00 to 18-MAR-13 13:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALEDONIA
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

The Mississippi State University storm chase team saw ping pong ball size hail fall north of Caledonia.

Hail in HUMPHREYS, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 13:11:00 to 18-MAR-13 13:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELZONI
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Nickel to quarter size hail fell around Belzoni.

Hail in SHARKEY, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 13:36:00 to 18-MAR-13 13:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: ISSAQUENA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Quarter size hail fell just west of Issaquena.

Hail in ISSAQUENA, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 14:00:00 to 18-MAR-13 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VALLEY PARK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell in Valley Park.

Hail in NOXUBEE, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 13:58:00 to 18-MAR-13 13:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC LEOD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail fell on Brown Road southwest of McLeod.

Hail in ATTALA, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 13:55:00 to 18-MAR-13 13:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: HESTERVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail as large as pennies covered the ground southwest of Hesterville.

Hail in WARREN, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 14:05:00 to 18-MAR-13 14:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLOWEREE
Magnitude: 4.00 
Property damage: 50.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of half dollar to grapefruit size hail fell across the northern portion of the county. Significant damage occurred to homes and vehicles as a result of the hail, with windows blown out and vehicle body damage occurring.

Hail in LEAKE, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 14:25:00 to 18-MAR-13 14:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERTICE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of golf ball size hail fell from the Leake and Madison County line to near Walnut Grove damaging vehicles and roofs as the storm moved east.

Hail in MADISON, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 14:10:00 to 18-MAR-13 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLORA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A swath of quarter to golf ball size hail fell from just south of Flora to Madison. The hail damaged cars and roofs as the storm moved east.

Hail in HINDS, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 14:30:00 to 18-MAR-13 15:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORANGE HILL
Magnitude: 4.25 
Property damage: 200.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

This long lived storm that continued out of Warren County produced golf ball to grapefruit size hail along its path as it moved toward the Jackson metro area. The largest hailstone (4.25 inches in diameter) fell in Clinton around 3:50 pm, shattering vehicle windshields. One injury occurred in the Pinehaven community near Clinton when a baseball size hailstone fell onto a resident causing head trauma. This storm continued to move southeast over the downtown Jackson metro area with numerous reports of golfball to baseball size hail falling all along the path. The large hail from this supercell caused incredible roof damage all across the city, as well as shattering thousands of vehicle windows and windshields, as well as denting thousands of vehicles. Substantial siding damage occurred to multiple mobile homes as well. Large hail fell at Hawkins Field, causing incredible damage to aircraft that were parked on the ramp.

Hail in NEWTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 14:55:00 to 18-MAR-13 14:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: PROSPECT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball size hail fell just southeast of Sebastopol.

Thunderstorm Wind in GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 11:45:00 to 18-MAR-13 11:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRENADA
Magnitude: 58.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees were blown down across Grenada County. A roof was blown off a shop in the northern part of the county. A weather station just west of Grenada recorded a wind gust of 67 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 12:29:00 to 18-MAR-13 12:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALTHALL
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of thunderstorm wind damage blew down trees and power lines on the western side of Webster County. Part of a roof was torn off of a building.

Thunderstorm Wind in LOWNDES, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 12:58:00 to 18-MAR-13 12:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: (CBM)COLUMBUS AFB
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Fifteen trees were blown down across the northern portion of the county. Power outages occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind in OKTIBBEHA, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 13:00:00 to 18-MAR-13 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ADATON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Several houses had shingle damage and two large sections of fencing were blown down in the Diamond Cove subdivision.

Hail in SCOTT, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 15:05:00 to 18-MAR-13 15:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of quarter to golf ball size hail fell west of Morton to just south of Forest. Numerous vehicle windows were blown out and several roofs were damaged by the hail.

Hail in RANKIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 14:59:00 to 18-MAR-13 14:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEESBURG
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 50.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Golf ball to baseball size hail fell north of I-20 as a severe storm moved east before another stronger storm impacted areas further south and southwest a few minutes later.

Hail in KEMPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 15:03:00 to 18-MAR-13 15:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: PORTERVILLE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in LAUDERDALE, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 15:19:00 to 18-MAR-13 15:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: PONTA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Hail in JASPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 16:05:00 to 18-MAR-13 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: HERO
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Golf ball size hail covered the ground in the northeastern portion of the county.

Hail in SMITH, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 16:10:00 to 18-MAR-13 16:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUNN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of quarter to golf ball size hail fell as a severe storm moved across the county. The hail damaged vehicles and roofs as it moved southeast.

Hail in FRANKLIN, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 18:30:00 to 18-MAR-13 19:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROXIE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of softball size hail fell across the county as a severe storm moved east. The hail damaged numerous vehicles and roof tops.

Hail in LINCOLN, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 19:00:00 to 18-MAR-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAM
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in COVINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 19:14:00 to 18-MAR-13 19:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: SEMINARY
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in JASPER, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 19:20:00 to 18-MAR-13 19:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: TURNERVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in LAWRENCE, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 19:33:00 to 18-MAR-13 19:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: DIVIDE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in ADAMS, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 19:45:00 to 18-MAR-13 19:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: SIBLEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in MARION, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 20:20:00 to 18-MAR-13 20:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: JAMESTOWN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in HINDS, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 20:25:00 to 18-MAR-13 20:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST JACKSON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Nickel to quarter size hail fell in the area.

Hail in FORREST, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 20:47:00 to 18-MAR-13 20:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: HATTIESBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in CLAIBORNE, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 16:50:00 to 18-MAR-13 16:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCKY SPGS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Golf ball size hail fell in the area.

Hail in JEFFERSON DAVIS, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 17:10:00 to 18-MAR-13 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEBRON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in JEFFERSON DAVIS, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 18:38:00 to 18-MAR-13 18:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: MT CARMEL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter size hail fell on Rogers Road and Clem Road.

Hail in JONES, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 17:10:00 to 18-MAR-13 17:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: GITANO
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A swath of quarter to golf ball size hail fell from Gitano to Myrick. The hail damaged numerous vehicles and roofs across this area.

Hail in JEFFERSON, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-MAR-13 17:30:00 to 18-MAR-13 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HURNALD COMM
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter