URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Tornado Watch Number 186
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
210 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Tornado Watch for portions of 
  Central into Southeast Louisiana
  Central and Southern Mississippi
  Far East Texas

* Effective this Wednesday afternoon and evening from 210 PM
  until 1100 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include...
  A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
  Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter possible
  Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

SUMMARY...Thunderstorms are forecast to develop and intensify this
afternoon with an accompanying severe risk and continue through the
evening.  A threat for tornadoes will likewise develop this
afternoon and persist into the evening and be most strongly
associated with the stronger supercells.  A strong tornado risk will
probably develop late this afternoon into the evening as low-level
wind shear increases.  Large to very large hail (1 to 2.5 inches in
diameter) and damaging gusts are also possible.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 65 statute miles
north and south of a line from 20 miles east southeast of Meridian
MS to 50 miles west of Fort Polk LA. For a complete depiction of the
watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU6).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.

&&

AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 550. Mean
storm motion vector 26035.

...Smith