2024 Year In Review

This system made landfall in southern Louisiana on September 11 and traversed the state of Mississippi, reaching the Mid-South on September 12. Despite Francine weakening to a Tropical Depression, several areas across the region reported winds in excess of 45 mph. The highest wind gust occurred at the Memphis International Airport, where 58 mph winds were recorded. 

In addition to winds,  heavy rainfall  accompanied the rain bands. Storm total precipitation varied by location with the highest totals occurring in a corridor stretching from eastern Arkansas to northeast Mississippi. Within this area, upwards of six inches of rain fell. The greatest storm total precipitation fell in Booneville, MS where 7.75 inches of rain occurred. 

Impressive rainfall totals from Francine made quite a dent in the Mid-South’s drought conditions. Previously, the drought outlook from September 10  placed two areas of D3 Extreme Drought in the Mid-South. Elsewhere, D1 & D2 drought (Abnormally Dry and Severe Drought, respectively) remained prevalent. 

However, the September 17 outlook saw massive reductions in drought categories. In fact, the D3 area only remained in a small portion of northern Mississippi. In addition, several other areas dropped out of drought conditions completely. Unbeknownst to Mid-Southerners at the time, additional tropical rains would further curb drought conditions by the beginning of October.

Due to the rainfall from Tropical Storm Francine, there was significant drought improvement across the Mid-South in just 1 week.

Active tropics continued through the end of September, when a tropical wave entered the Caribbean Sea. By the 24th, this disturbance strengthened to a Tropical Storm and was named Helene. Helene would undergo rapid intensification as it approached the Big Bend of Florida, eventually achieving category 4 hurricane strength with winds of 140 mph. Upon landfall late on the 26th, Helene trekked northward into east Tennessee and western North Carolina. Historic flooding would occur on the 27th as rainbands from Helene dumped substantial rainfall. 

Several rivers and streams crested at levels never before documented, resulting in numerous fatalities in east Tennessee and western North Carolina.

Helene soon took a westward path across Tennessee, eventually stalling over the western portion of the state for several days. The Mid-South experienced heavy rain and high winds throughout this period. The highest winds occurred in northeast Arkansas and the Missouri Bootheel with several sites reporting winds in excess of 40 mph. The highest wind gust occurred in Kennett, MO where 51 mph winds were measured. 

Play ball! We had a team bonding night supporting the Memphis Redbirds minor league baseball team in May. 

Office staff and a few visitors from surrounding NWS organizations watching the new Twisters movie together in theaters in July.