Thunderstorm wind will reach damaging force in Mississippi 300-500 times each year, causing millions of dollars worth of damage. Unfortunately, two or three people will die each year in thunderstorms, leaving about a dozen injured. Damaging thunderstorm wind is much more common than tornadoes in Mississippi. Not only can severe thunderstorms produce injury and damage from violent straight-line wind and hail, tornadoes can and sometimes develop very quickly from these storms. A severe thunderstorm is defined by the National Weather Service as a thunderstorm producing wind of at least 58 miles per hour and/or hail three-quarters of an inch in diameter or larger. Severe thunderstorm wind can gust to more than 100 mph – overturning trailers, removing roofs of homes and toppling trees and power lines. While dime-size hail denotes a severe thunderstorm, hail as large as grapefruit has occurred. The danger of serious injury from hail is not hard to imagine when you consider that a good-sized hailstone may fall at speeds near 110 mph. Severe thunderstorms can strike at any time of year. But, like tornadoes, they are most frequent in March, April and May. Severe storms that develop on a summer day are usually more isolated. However, some of the most dangerous and intense lightning may occur with summer storms. This piece of information is well worth our attention, especially since summer is the time of year when outdoor activities are at a maximum.

Thunderstorms- In addition to rain, thunderstorms often bring high winds and lightning. Sometimes thunderstorms also cause hail and tornadoes. Damaging thunderstorm wind is much more common than tornadoes in Mississippi.  A severe thunderstorm is defined by the National Weather Service as a thunderstorm producing wind of at least 58 miles per hour and/or hail three quarters of an inch in diameter or larger.  Severe  thunderstorm wind can gust to more than 100 mps – overturning trailers, unroofing homes and toppling trees and power lines.  Severe storms that develop on a summer day are usually more isolated.  However, some of the most dangerous and intense lightning may occur with summer storms.