Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2023
Tornado Warning 39, NWS Memphis, TN
NWS Memphis, TN issued this tornado warning at Mar 31, 2023, 6:32 PM CDT for 4 counties in Arkansas; Tunica County, Mississippi. It was in force for 43 min. 1 report 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
- Mar 31, 2023, 6:32 PM CDT (23:32 UTC)
- Expired
- Mar 31, 2023, 7:15 PM CDT
- In force
- 43 min
- Issued by
- NWS Memphis, TN
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 1.5 in
Counties Crittenden County, AR, Lee County, AR, Phillips County, AR, St. Francis County, AR, Tunica County, MS
The radar
The Memphis radar (KNQA), 80 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:34 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 6:59 PM CDT | TORNADO | 2 E Marvell, AR | SPOTTER REPORT OF A TORNADO. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 12:28 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 11 hr |
| Mar 31, 5:58 PM CDT | Tornado Watch | SPC | 6 hr |
The nearest sounding before it
Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 11.5 hours before the alert went out and 45 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 30 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -335 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 806 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 40 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 490 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 655 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.6
The text
As transmitted.
821
WFUS54 KMEG 312332
TORMEG
ARC035-077-107-123-MSC143-010015-
/O.NEW.KMEG.TO.W.0039.230331T2332Z-230401T0015Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Memphis TN
632 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
The National Weather Service in Memphis has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Lee County in eastern Arkansas...
Southeastern St. Francis County in eastern Arkansas...
Northern Phillips County in eastern Arkansas...
Southwestern Crittenden County in eastern Arkansas...
Northern Tunica County in northwestern Mississippi...
* Until 715 PM CDT.
* At 631 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located over Holly Grove, or 10 miles southeast of Clarendon,
moving east at 65 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.
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 impacted include...
Marianna, Hughes, Marvell, Helena-West Helena, Tunica, Horseshoe
Lake, Lexa, Rondo, Aubrey, Anthonyville, Simsboro, Brickeys, North
Tunica, Pinckney, Robinsonville, Lagrange, Cody, Clack, Haleside
and Commerce.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a storm shelter 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 3506 9033 3490 9026 3487 9031 3486 9030
3486 9024 3478 9020 3472 9020 3470 9023
3466 9022 3448 9105 3472 9105 3473 9106
TIME...MOT...LOC 2331Z 250DEG 56KT 3458 9118
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.50 IN
$$
SMW3 follow-up statements
999
WWUS54 KMEG 312341
SVSMEG
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
641 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
ARC035-077-107-123-MSC143-010015-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-230401T0015Z/
Lee AR-St. Francis AR-Phillips AR-Crittenden AR-Tunica MS-
641 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR LEE...
SOUTHEASTERN ST. FRANCIS...NORTHERN PHILLIPS...SOUTHWESTERN
CRITTENDEN AND NORTHERN TUNICA COUNTIES...
At 640 PM CDT, a large and extremely dangerous tornado was located
near Palmer, or 7 miles northwest of Marvell, moving east at 65 mph.
This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may
be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes
will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,
businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction
is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Marianna, Hughes, Marvell, Helena-West Helena, Tunica, Horseshoe
Lake, Lexa, Rondo, Aubrey, Anthonyville, Simsboro, Brickeys, North
Tunica, Pinckney, Robinsonville, Lagrange, Cody, Clack, Haleside and
Commerce.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is developing. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move to
a storm shelter or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3506 9033 3490 9026 3487 9031 3486 9030
3486 9024 3478 9020 3472 9020 3470 9023
3466 9022 3448 9105 3472 9105 3473 9106
TIME...MOT...LOC 2340Z 250DEG 56KT 3463 9101
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
SMW042
WWUS54 KMEG 010000
SVSMEG
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
700 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
ARC035-077-107-123-MSC143-010015-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-230401T0015Z/
Lee AR-St. Francis AR-Phillips AR-Crittenden AR-Tunica MS-
700 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR LEE...
SOUTHEASTERN ST. FRANCIS...NORTHEASTERN PHILLIPS...SOUTHWESTERN
CRITTENDEN AND NORTHERN TUNICA COUNTIES...
At 659 PM CDT, a large and extremely dangerous tornado was located
over Lexa, or 8 miles northeast of Marvell, moving northeast at 65
mph.
This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may
be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes
will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,
businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction
is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Marianna, Hughes, Tunica, Horseshoe Lake, Lexa, Rondo, Aubrey,
Anthonyville, Simsboro, Brickeys, North Tunica, Pinckney,
Robinsonville, Lagrange, Cody, Clack, Haleside, Commerce, Austin and
Soudan.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is developing. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move to
a storm shelter 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 3506 9033 3490 9026 3487 9031 3486 9030
3486 9024 3478 9020 3472 9020 3470 9023
3466 9022 3452 9088 3473 9097
TIME...MOT...LOC 2359Z 246DEG 55KT 3462 9078
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$
SMW889
WWUS54 KMEG 010004
SVSMEG
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Memphis TN
704 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
ARC035-077-107-123-MSC143-010015-
/O.CON.KMEG.TO.W.0039.000000T0000Z-230401T0015Z/
Lee AR-St. Francis AR-Phillips AR-Crittenden AR-Tunica MS-
704 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR LEE...
SOUTHEASTERN ST. FRANCIS...NORTHEASTERN PHILLIPS...SOUTHWESTERN
CRITTENDEN AND NORTHERN TUNICA COUNTIES...
At 704 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was
located over Lexa, or near St Francis National Park, moving east at
55 mph.
This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 659 PM CDT, a storm
chaser reported tornado 2 miles east of Marvell.
IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may
be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes
will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,
businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction
is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Marianna, Hughes, Tunica, Horseshoe Lake, Lexa, Rondo, Aubrey,
Anthonyville, Simsboro, Brickeys, North Tunica, Pinckney,
Robinsonville, Lagrange, Cody, Clack, Haleside, Commerce, Austin and
Soudan.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a storm shelter or an interior room on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile
home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and
protect yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 3506 9033 3490 9026 3487 9031 3486 9030
3486 9024 3478 9020 3472 9020 3470 9023
3466 9022 3452 9088 3473 9097
TIME...MOT...LOC 0004Z 253DEG 46KT 3462 9072
TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.75 IN
$$The office that day
Everything else NWS Memphis, TN issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 4:14 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Cross, St. Francis | 31 min |
| Mar 31, 4:24 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MEG | Craighead | 36 min |
| Mar 31, 4:40 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Crittenden, Cross | 50 min |
| Mar 31, 4:43 PM CDT | Special Weather Statement | MEG | Clay, Greene | 32 min |
| Mar 31, 4:56 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Crittenden, Cross | 34 min |
| Mar 31, 5:23 PM CDT | Tornado Warning | MEG | Crittenden, Mississippi | 37 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 2023Tornado Warnings in Mississippi, 2023Every tornado warning in 2023Tornadoes in 2023
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.