In the hours prior to the tornado forming, convective available potential energy (CAPE) values of over 1500 J/kg were present, indicating moderate instability. However, dry air at higher levels created a capping inversion, limiting the number of thunderstorms that could develop. Later on, a warm front moved past Jackson, Mississippi, allowing more moist air into the region and increasing lapse rates. While this cap served to prevent a widespread tornado outbreak, it did allow for the formation of a few discrete strong storms. With this, a supercell thunderstorm developed over Louisiana and produced three tornadoes, including the large F5 tornado that moved through Mississippi and Alabama.
