Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2021

Tornado Warning 25, NWS Tulsa, OK

May 3, 2021Crawford County, Franklin County, Sebastian County, Arkansas; Sequoyah County, Oklahoma

NWS Tulsa, OK issued this tornado warning at May 3, 2021, 9:38 PM CDT for Crawford County, Franklin County, Sebastian County, Arkansas; Sequoyah County, Oklahoma. It was in force for 37 min. 11 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: May 3, 2021, 9:38 PM CDT (02:38 UTC)
Expired: May 3, 2021, 10:15 PM CDT
In force: 37 min
Issued by: NWS Tulsa, OK
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 0.75 in

Counties Crawford County, AR, Franklin County, AR, Sebastian County, AR, Sequoyah County, OK

The radar

The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 12 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:39 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
May 3, 9:39 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Roland, OK	DAMAGE IN THE ROLAND AND MULDROW AREA CONSISTED OF MULTIPLE TREES DOWN. ONE TREE FELL ONTO A HOME, TRAPPING ONE PERSON INSIDE.
May 3, 9:39 PM CDT	NON-TSTM WND DMG	Roland, OK	DAMAGE IN THE ROLAND AND MULDROW AREA CONSISTED OF MULTIPLE TREES DOWN. ONE TREE FELL ONTO A HOME, TRAPPING ONE PERSON INSIDE.
May 3, 9:41 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Wsw Van Buren, AR	EM REPORTS SEVERAL HOMES RECEIVING DAMAGE WITH MULTIPLE HOMES SUSTAINING MAJOR DAMAGE. A SCHOOL AND A CHURCH ALSO RECEIVED DAMAGE. POSSIBLE TORNADO. SURVEY TEAM WILL BE SURVEYING THE AREA. TIME IS ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 3, 9:47 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Van Buren, AR	MULTIPLE REPORTS OF TREES DAMAGED OR DOWNED BY THUNDERSTORM WINDS.
May 3, 9:47 PM CDT	TSTM WND GST 60	Van Buren, AR	THUNDERSTORM WIND GUST ESTIMATED TO 60 MPH.
May 3, 9:52 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Alma, AR	SEVERAL REPORTS OF TREES SNAPPED OR UPROOTED IN ALMA. PHOTOS POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA SHOW A LARGE TREE FALLEN ONTO A HOME. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 3, 9:54 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 N Alma, AR	NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
May 3, 9:55 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Van Buren, AR	REPORT OF A TREE DOWNED ONTO A HOME.
May 3, 9:55 PM CDT	NON-TSTM WND DMG	Van Buren, AR	ROOF BLOWN OFF CRAWFORD COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
May 3, 10:00 PM CDT	TSTM WND DMG	Rudy, AR	POWER LINES DOWN.
May 3, 10:09 PM CDT	TORNADO	4 Wsw Piney, AR	A TORNADO UPROOTED NUMEROUS TREES AND BLEW DOWN POWER POLES.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
May 3, 9:10 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	7 hr
May 3, 3:48 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 00:00Z, 2.6 hours before the alert went out and 176 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 1558 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -63 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 972 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 34 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 57 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 150 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.6
Supercell composite: 4.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

550 
WFUS54 KTSA 040238
TORTSA
ARC033-047-131-OKC135-040315-
/O.NEW.KTSA.TO.W.0025.210504T0238Z-210504T0315Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
938 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

The National Weather Service in Tulsa has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
  West central Franklin County in west central Arkansas...
  Central Crawford County in northwestern Arkansas...
  Northwestern Sebastian County in west central Arkansas...
  Southeastern Sequoyah County in east central Oklahoma...

* Until 1015 PM CDT.
    
* At 938 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
  was located over Roland, moving northeast at 45 mph.

  HAZARD...Tornado.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

  IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
           shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. 
           Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree 
           damage is likely.

* Locations in or near the path include...
  Fort Smith...                     Van Buren...
  Cedarville...                     Mountainburg...
  Alma...                           Muldrow...
  Roland...                         Mulberry...
  Dyer...                           Chester...
  Moffett...                        Rudy...
  Lake Fort Smith...                Figure Five...
  Fort Smith Regional Airport...    Kibler...
  Concord...                        Shibley...
  Mill Creek...                     Piney...

This includes the following highways,
 Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 0 and 26.
 Interstate 40 in Oklahoma between mile markers 319 and 328.
 Interstate 540 between mile markers 1 and 11.
 Interstate 49 between mile markers 22 and 35.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3548 9396 3532 9443 3538 9443 3537 9445
      3538 9447 3537 9449 3535 9448 3533 9450
      3531 9448 3530 9450 3531 9452 3530 9454
      3545 9464 3572 9411
TIME...MOT...LOC 0238Z 242DEG 40KT 3541 9451 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Lacy

3 follow-up statements

212 
WWUS54 KTSA 040244
SVSTSA

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
944 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

ARC033-047-131-OKC135-040315-
/O.CON.KTSA.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-210504T0315Z/
Franklin AR-Crawford AR-Sebastian AR-Sequoyah OK-
944 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL FRANKLIN...CENTRAL CRAWFORD...NORTHWESTERN SEBASTIAN AND
SOUTHEASTERN SEQUOYAH COUNTIES...
        
At 944 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 3 miles northeast of
Roland, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations in or near the path include...
Fort Smith...                     Van Buren...
Cedarville...                     Mountainburg...
Alma...                           Muldrow...
Roland...                         Mulberry...
Dyer...                           Chester...
Moffett...                        Rudy...
Lake Fort Smith...                Figure Five...
Fort Smith Regional Airport...    Kibler...
Concord...                        Shibley...
Mill Creek...                     Piney...

This includes the following highways,
 Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 0 and 26.
 Interstate 40 in Oklahoma between mile markers 319 and 328.
 Interstate 540 between mile markers 1 and 11.
 Interstate 49 between mile markers 22 and 35.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3548 9396 3532 9443 3538 9443 3537 9445
      3538 9447 3537 9449 3535 9448 3533 9450
      3531 9448 3530 9450 3531 9452 3530 9454
      3545 9464 3572 9411
TIME...MOT...LOC 0244Z 240DEG 39KT 3546 9447 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Lacy

396 
WWUS54 KTSA 040248
SVSTSA

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
948 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

OKC135-040257-
/O.CAN.KTSA.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-210504T0315Z/
Sequoyah OK-
948 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN SEQUOYAH COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for east central
Oklahoma.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for
northwestern and west central Arkansas.

LAT...LON 3548 9396 3532 9443 3540 9443 3554 9446
      3572 9411
TIME...MOT...LOC 0247Z 241DEG 40KT 3548 9441 

$$

ARC033-047-131-040315-
/O.CON.KTSA.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-210504T0315Z/
Franklin AR-Crawford AR-Sebastian AR-
948 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL FRANKLIN...CENTRAL CRAWFORD AND NORTHWESTERN SEBASTIAN
COUNTIES...
        
At 947 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 4 miles southwest of
Figure Five, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Damaging tornado.

SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations in or near the path include...
Fort Smith...                     Van Buren...
Cedarville...                     Mountainburg...
Alma...                           Mulberry...
Dyer...                           Chester...
Rudy...                           Lake Fort Smith...
Figure Five...                    Fort Smith Regional Airport...
Kibler...                         Concord...
Shibley...                        Mill Creek...
Piney...                          Dora...
Furry...                          

This includes the following highways,
 Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 0 and 26.
 Interstate 540 between mile markers 1 and 11.
 Interstate 49 between mile markers 22 and 35.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a
basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3548 9396 3532 9443 3540 9443 3554 9446
      3572 9411
TIME...MOT...LOC 0247Z 241DEG 40KT 3548 9441 

TORNADO...OBSERVED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Lacy

394 
WWUS54 KTSA 040256
SVSTSA

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
956 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

ARC131-040305-
/O.CAN.KTSA.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-210504T0315Z/
Sebastian AR-
956 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN SEBASTIAN COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...
    
The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out 
of the warned area. Therefore the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 400 AM CDT for
northwestern and west central Arkansas.

LAT...LON 3548 9396 3543 9429 3547 9432 3557 9430
      3572 9411
TIME...MOT...LOC 0255Z 233DEG 56KT 3554 9418 

$$

ARC033-047-040315-
/O.CON.KTSA.TO.W.0025.000000T0000Z-210504T0315Z/
Franklin AR-Crawford AR-
956 PM CDT Mon May 3 2021

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1015 PM CDT FOR WEST
CENTRAL FRANKLIN AND CENTRAL CRAWFORD COUNTIES...
    
At 955 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located 4 miles northwest of Dyer, moving northeast at 65 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without 
         shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage 
         to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur.  Tree damage is 
         likely.

Locations in or near the path include...
Mountainburg...                   Alma...
Mulberry...                       Dyer...
Chester...                        Rudy...
Lake Fort Smith...                Concord...
Shibley...                        Piney...
Furry...                          

This includes the following highways,
 Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 7 and 26.
 Interstate 49 between mile markers 22 and 34.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

&&

LAT...LON 3548 9396 3543 9429 3547 9432 3557 9430
      3572 9411
TIME...MOT...LOC 0255Z 233DEG 56KT 3554 9418 

TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
HAIL...<.75IN

$$

Lacy

The office that day

Everything else NWS Tulsa, OK issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 3, 8:53 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Crawford, Washington	37 min
May 3, 9:18 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Crawford, Sebastian	57 min
May 3, 9:51 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Crawford, Franklin, Madison, Sebastian, Washington	39 min
May 3, 10:02 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	TSA	Crawford, Franklin	15 min
May 3, 10:12 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	TSA	Crawford, Franklin, Sebastian	3 hr
May 3, 10:12 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Carroll	33 min
May 3, 10:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Franklin, Madison	48 min
May 3, 10:19 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	TSA	Washington	3 hr
May 3, 10:21 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Madison, Washington	39 min
May 3, 10:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Carroll, Madison, Washington	44 min
May 3, 10:52 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Sebastian	23 min
May 3, 11:08 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Carroll	52 min
May 3, 11:14 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Madison	13 min
May 3, 7:04 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Pittsburg	41 min
May 3, 7:15 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Pittsburg	45 min
May 3, 7:19 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	McIntosh	26 min
May 3, 7:27 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	TSA	Pittsburg	33 min
May 3, 7:37 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Muskogee	23 min
May 3, 7:39 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	TSA	Pittsburg	3 hr
May 3, 7:42 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Latimer, Pittsburg	48 min
May 3, 7:45 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	TSA	Pittsburg	27 min
May 3, 7:49 PM CDT	River Flood Advisory	TSA	Cherokee	12 hr
May 3, 8:01 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Muskogee	29 min
May 3, 8:05 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	TSA	Latimer	25 min
May 3, 8:07 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Pittsburg	34 min
May 3, 8:12 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Creek, Okfuskee	36 min
May 3, 8:18 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Haskell, Latimer, Pittsburg	42 min
May 3, 8:28 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Sequoyah	32 min
May 3, 8:44 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Okfuskee	31 min
May 3, 8:47 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Pushmataha	28 min
May 3, 8:52 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, Sequoyah	53 min
May 3, 8:55 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Latimer, Pittsburg, Pushmataha	32 min
May 3, 9:02 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Creek	28 min
May 3, 9:02 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	TSA	Pushmataha	28 min
May 3, 9:04 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Choctaw	26 min
May 3, 9:33 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	TSA	Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, Pittsburg	3 hr
May 3, 9:42 PM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	TSA	Creek, Tulsa	3 hr
May 3, 9:57 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	LeFlore	33 min
May 3, 9:59 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	LeFlore	31 min
May 3, 10:15 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	LeFlore	45 min
May 3, 10:21 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	LeFlore	39 min
May 3, 11:26 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	Pawnee	49 min
May 4, 1:41 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Okmulgee	34 min
May 4, 2:27 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Pittsburg	33 min
May 4, 2:28 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	McIntosh	32 min
May 4, 2:50 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	McIntosh, Pittsburg	25 min
May 4, 8:08 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	TSA	Cherokee	29 hr
May 4, 8:15 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	TSA	Adair, Delaware	13 hr
May 4, 8:15 AM CDT	River Flood Advisory	TSA	Adair, Cherokee, Delaware	24 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 2021 Tornado Warnings in Oklahoma, 2021 Every tornado warning in 2021 Tornadoes in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.