A warm, moist, and unstable air mass remained in place across much of the Ark-La-Tex on February 28th, as a warm front quickly returned back north into Southern Kansas and Missouri. A positive tilt upper level trough of low pressure traversed the Southern Plains during the afternoon, thus increasing large scale ascent resulting in showers and thunderstorms becoming numerous during the evening…
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS SHV wrote it up.
A warm, moist, and unstable air mass remained in place across much of the Ark-La-Tex on February 28th, as a warm front quickly returned back north into Southern Kansas and Missouri. A positive tilt upper level trough of low pressure traversed the Southern Plains during the afternoon, thus increasing large scale ascent resulting in showers and thunderstorms becoming numerous during the evening hours along a convergent elevated boundary that extended north of the Interstate 30 corridor of Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas. An approaching cold front and dry line from the west also helped to enhance thunderstorm organization, resulting in areas of heavy rain developing atop already saturated ground conditions from heavy rainfall that fell since February 20th. Additional rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches fell across much of Southeast Oklahoma during the afternoon and evening of the 28th, which continued into the morning hours of March 1st. This resulted widespread flash flooding across McCurtain County, which lingered into the predawn hours on March 1st.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Shreveport, LA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 28, 6:29 PM CST, 3 hours 31 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
629 PM CST Wed Feb 28 2018
.AVIATION...
For the ArkLaTex, VFR for all at this time, but some SCT low deck
for TXK and maybe ELD behind a TS outflow boundary and shwrs
VCNTY. The cold front will plow in overnight and early Thursday
with convection focused along boundary for a few hours affecting
terminals from 05/06Z for TXK/TYR and through about 12Z for LFK/MLU.
the most part. S/SE winds around 10KT will shift to NW10-15KT with
IFR/MVFR expected to lift during the early afternoon. /24/
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 326 PM CST Wed Feb 28 2018/
DISCUSSION...
..The Flash Flood Watch remains in the effect until tomorrow aftn
and there is a Slight Risk of Severe Storms across northeast TX,
southeast OK to across portions of northwest Louisiana and
southwest Arkansas...
An UA low near the New Mexico Bootheel continued to progress
eastward towards the Four-State Region late this aftn, thus
providing the area with a slight uptick in large scale ascent.
Concurrently, southerly sfc flow courtesy of yesterday's
retreating warm front that has since pushed north to across
southern KS and southern MO, has resulted in the maintenance of
moist atmospheric conditions /PWATs of 1.30-1.50 inches/. In fact,
the University of Louisiana Monroe special sounding earlier this
aftn showed a PWAT of 1.48 inches which is just 0.01 inches shy of
the daily record! The rather moist conditions coupled with
increasing large scale support has promoted scattered showers and
a few thunderstorms stretched along and north of a Mount Vernon
TX to across a near Rosston AR line, closest to the sfc low.
Extensive cloud cover and underwhelming MUCAPE is likely why the
storms are behaving at this time, however that will likely change
as we head into this evening.
The UA low will have pushed eastward to near the Sun Country of west
TX this evening thus sharpening the southwest flow aloft. Within
the flow aloft, an 80+ kt 500 mb jet max will progress across the
northwestern 1/3rd of the CWA resulting in an increase in UL
support as hinted at by MUCAPE values of 300-500 j/kg. The sfc low
northwest of the region this aftn has an associated dryline
draped across the South Plains and a cold front across southern
KS will be shifting eastward and southeastward towards the region
respectively this evening. It is the dryline and and the cold
front that will aid in organizing the precip into a possible
linear mode this evening and into tonight. Though the dryline will
not impinge the Four-State Region, storms that develop along it
to our west will be more than capable of moving northeastward
across northeast TX, southeast OK to across southwest AR this
evening-tonight, given a 60-65 kt southwesterly mean wind flow
component. However, the cold front will impact the area and the
aforementioned areas will likely be at greatest risk for strong to
severe storms as MUCAPE will be highest there with the passage of
the UL jet max, as well as model solutions showing 0-6 km bulk
shear values of 40-60 kts. This suggest some storms will be
capable of producing damaging wind gusts and moderate to large
sized-hail. It is noteworthy to mention that 0-1 km helicity
values of 100-300 m2/s2 and the clockwise curvature in the low
levels of progged hodographs also raises concern for an isolated
tornado, but low level shear is rather weak /15-30 kts/ which
could mitigate multiple tornado development. To add on to an
already busy day will be the potential for Flash Flooding.
Portions of the Four-State Region has seen significant rainfall
over the last several weeks which has led to an ease on the
ongoing drought /in fact a few counties across the northwestern
zones are no longer in a drought/ but has also resulted in poor
drainage areas to become inundated by water. Although this region
is able to handle rainfall, week after week of moderate to heavy
rainfall /2-4+ inches/ will give way to soils having a hard time
keeping up and hence hard-pressed to soak up the rainfall
especially when there is not much of a break between rains.
Although rainfall totals of 0.5-3+ inches are expected through
tomorrow aftn does not seem overly significant /highest amounts
will occur across the northwestern 1/3rd of the FA/, keep in mind
that this on top of what this region has received in the last
several weeks. Some poor drainage roadways that have receded has
been covered with water again courtesy of yesterday's heavy
rainfall. Thus, the Flash Flood Watch will remain in effect mainly
along and north of the I-20 corridor through tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow, the UA low is anticipated to open up to more of an UA
trough with lingering precip occurring across northeast LA and
southwest AR by tomorrow morning, before the said disturbance and
associated precip finally exits the region by early tomorrow
aftn. Thereafter, UA ridging will take shape and dominate across
the central CONUS though saturated soils will prevent from
extensive warming /highs in the 60s through early next week/. By
late weekend into early next week, another Pacific UA low will
move east across the Four-Corners Region and the Central Plains.
Precip developing along its pacific front will yield the return of
precip from west to east, though heavy rainfall is not
anticipated attm. Dry conditions will return Wednesday.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV 58 68 44 65 / 90 30 10 0
MLU 62 69 44 63 / 90 70 10 0
DEQ 52 64 35 62 / 100 20 0 0
TXK 54 65 41 61 / 100 20 0 0
ELD 57 67 39 62 / 90 40 10 0
TYR 55 64 44 65 / 100 20 0 0
GGG 57 65 44 65 / 90 20 0 0
LFK 60 70 46 69 / 60 20 10 0
&&
.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for ARZ050-051-
059>061-070>073.
LA...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for LAZ001>006-
012>014.
OK...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for OKZ077.
TX...Flash Flood Watch through Thursday morning for TXZ096-097-
108>112-124>126-136>138-150-151.
&&
24/29Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Shreveport LA 1128 AM CST Wed Feb 28 2018 ARZ050-051-059>061-070>073-LAZ001>006-012>014-OKZ077-TXZ096-097- 108>112-124>126-136>138-150-151-011730- Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Nevada-Miller-Lafayette- Columbia-Union-Caddo-Bossier-Webster-Claiborne-Lincoln-Bienville- Jackson-Ouachita-McCurtain-Red River-Bowie-Franklin-Titus-Camp- Morris-Cass-Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith-Gregg-Harrison-Rusk-Panola- 1128 AM CST Wed Feb 28 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma and northeast Texas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... Showers and thunderstorms will be increasing across the area with locally heavy rainfall possible at times, late this afternoon through this evening. Rainfall amounts of one to three inches with isolated locally higher amounts are possible, as training precipitation will be possible. Rapid water runoff will result in flash flooding and flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas. A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect through tomorrow morning. Furthermore, there is a Slight Risk for severe storms late this afternoon through tonight as a strong upper level disturbance and its associated cold front approaches the region from the west and northwest respectively. Some storms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, hail and possibly isolated tornadoes. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday... Lingering light to moderate rainfall will be ending early on Thursday. Dry conditions will prevail into the weekend until the next period of possible wetting rains but with less widespread heavy rainfall Sunday through Monday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of emergency management personnel...amateur radio operators...and storm spotters may be needed this evening. LAZ010-011-017>022-TXZ149-152-153-165>167-011730- De Soto-Red River-Sabine-Natchitoches-Winn-Grant-Caldwell- La Salle-Cherokee-Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina-San Augustine- 1128 AM CST Wed Feb 28 2018 No hazardous weather is expected at this time. This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, east Texas and northeast Texas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight... Showers and thunderstorms will be increasing across the area during the afternoon and more likely this evening. Locally moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible at times with rainfall amounts of one half to one and one half inches may occur. With the approach of an upper level system and a cold front there will be a chance of strong to possibly severe storms with the main threat damaging winds, hail and an isolated tornado. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday... There will be a threat of severe storms early Thursday morning prior to daybreak with the showers and thunderstorms decreasing during the day. Dry conditions will prevail into the weekend until the next period of possible wetting rains but with less widespread heavy rainfall Sunday through Monday night. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of emergency management personnel...amateur radio operators...and storm spotters may be needed this evening.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Shreveport LA 422 PM CST WED FEB 28 2018 ARZ061-072-282245- Nevada AR-Columbia AR- 422 PM CST WED FEB 28 2018 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTHEASTERN NEVADA AND NORTH CENTRAL COLUMBIA COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM CST... At 422 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Willisville, or 10 miles north of Waldo, moving east at 45 mph. Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Rosston, Willisville, Young and Waterloo. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service. && LAT...LON 3341 9312 3340 9333 3358 9335 3361 9311 TIME...MOT...LOC 2222Z 264DEG 39KT 3350 9325 19
The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 157 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:01 UTC.
4 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
High water across Roy Roberts Road, Clear Creek Road, as well as numerous road in and near Valliant.
High water on Golden Glover Road, Old Broken Bow Road near the Little River, as well as numerous roads in the Broken Bow area.
High water at the intersection of Beaver Dam Road and Grouse Road.
A foot of water covered Highway 70 near Valliant.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oklahoma in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Oklahoma, February 2018
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 736538, 736541, 736546, 736548.