Mississippi and the South are nearing the the secondary severe weather season, with severe weather increasing during the month of November.

In a effort to call attention to the upcoming severe weather season, the National Weather Service has proclaimed Wednesday October 21st as Severe Weather Awareness Day, not only for Mississippi, but across the South- including the states of  Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Georgia.

Historical records show that the Fall/Autumn season, particularly November has an history of producing significant and deadly severe weather events across the South.

While November has proven to be a prolific month for tornadoes, when November is quiet, we have to watch out in December.

Over the past 2 years, November remained fairly calm with severe weather and tornadoes occurring during the month of December.

However, this year we are being influenced by El Nino which historically provides the South with a more active Fall Severe Weather Season.

Since 1950, November has been the second most active month for tornadoes with over 205 tornadoes confirmed.

On Wednesday morning- around 915 am, the National Weather Service will issue a test tornado warning message on NOAA Weather Radio.  

The test warning will only be transmitted as a test message and should be displayed on your NOAA Weather Radio as a test message.  

This will be a good time to review your severe weather safety rules and  make sure your NOAA Weather Radio is in good working condition as the secondary severe weather season approaches.