Strong to severe thunderstorms developed across eastern Oklahoma during the evening of the 10th, ahead of a cold front that moved through the region. The thunderstorms moved east and northeast across portions of northwestern Arkansas.
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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 TSA wrote it up.
Strong to severe thunderstorms developed across eastern Oklahoma during the evening of the 10th, ahead of a cold front that moved through the region. The thunderstorms moved east and northeast across portions of northwestern Arkansas. The strongest storms produced damaging wind gusts.
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 Tulsa, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 10, 6:29 PM CST, 2 hours 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Tulsa OK 629 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021 ...New SHORT TERM... .SHORT TERM... (The rest of tonight) Issued at 622 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021 Isolated thunderstorms are developing in the vicinity of the dry line across northeast Oklahoma this evening as a mid-level shortwave impinges on the area. There will be a brief window over the next couple of hours where these storms that develop will have the potential to become strong to severe. Cape values near the 1500 j/kg range and adequate shear will provide the necessary ingredients. It it not out of the question that a surface based storm could produce a brief tornado. This activity will come to an end later this evening as the cold front just now moving into Osage and Pawnee Counties sweeps through the region. && .LONG TERM... (Tomorrow through Friday) Issued at 236 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021 The coolest day of the extended period will clearly be Saturday behind the exiting front with temps struggling to reach the 50s. Midlevel clouds hanging around southern OK may help to hold temps back some there too. Dry return flow begins on Sunday along with a gradual warmup which will accelerate by Tue with highs again near record values. Winds will become gusty in the afternoon Sunday with RH values dropping sufficiently for low fire weather concerns though afternoon heating will be limited. Winds will continue to strengthen into the middle of next week as the pressure gradient increases ahead of a long wave trough digging along the western US coast. This system is forecast to continue to deepen and dig far enough south to bring some meaningful rain chances into the forecast next week. Ensemble guidance is fairly similar in taking the system close enough for forcing and instability to spread into the area by Wed with a cold front to follow on Thu keeping rain chances in play. Guidance then begins to diverge on how far south the front moves and if it hangs up somewhere in the vicinity of the area, enough to keep decent rain chances through the end of the extended. Have opted to keep going forecast with at least chance PoP from mid- week on with thunder chances accompanying the expected frontal passage and lingering across much of the area into Fri. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 542 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021 Scattered showers with a few thunderstorms will remain possible through 03Z at northwest Arkansas TAF sites. Otherwise, strong and gusty southwest winds will shift to the northwest with FROPA with clearing skies from west to east this evening. Winds will begin to decrease Saturday morning as surface high pressure builds over the region. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... TUL 35 52 32 59 / 20 0 0 0 FSM 40 52 29 59 / 30 0 0 0 MLC 36 52 30 57 / 20 0 0 0 BVO 32 52 30 58 / 0 0 0 0 FYV 33 49 26 56 / 50 0 0 0 BYV 33 47 31 55 / 50 0 0 0 MKO 35 50 30 56 / 30 0 0 0 MIO 33 50 32 56 / 30 0 0 0 F10 35 52 30 57 / 20 0 0 0 HHW 40 52 30 56 / 30 0 0 0 && .TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OK...None. AR...None. && SHORT TERM...10 LONG TERM....04 AVIATION...12
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Tulsa OK 702 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021 ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-111130- Adair OK-Benton AR-Carroll AR-Cherokee OK-Choctaw OK-Craig OK- Crawford AR-Creek OK-Delaware OK-Franklin AR-Haskell OK-Latimer OK- Le Flore OK-Madison AR-Mayes OK-McIntosh OK-Muskogee OK-Nowata OK- Okfuskee OK-Okmulgee OK-Osage OK-Ottawa OK-Pawnee OK-Pittsburg OK- Pushmataha OK-Rogers OK-Sebastian AR-Sequoyah OK-Tulsa OK-Wagoner OK- Washington OK-Washington AR- 702 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021 This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as much of Eastern Oklahoma. .DAY ONE...Tonight. TORNADO. RISK...Limited. AREA...Southeast Oklahoma into western Arkansas. ONSET...Ongoing. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. RISK...Significant. AREA...Southeast Oklahoma into western Arkansas. ONSET...Ongoing. AREA AT GREATEST RISK...Northwest Arkansas. DISCUSSION... Scattered thunderstorms continue to develop in the vicinity of the dry line across far northeast Oklahoma into southeast Oklahoma this evening. This activity is expected to spread to the east-northeast through the evening hours in advance of a cold front that will sweep through the area. Some of these storms could be severe with damaging winds, large hail and brief tornadoes all possible. This activity is expected to end by midnight with much cooler weather behind the cold front. SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT... Activation of the Regional Spotter Network Expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...High Wind Potential. WEDNESDAY...Thunderstorm Potential...High Wind Potential. THURSDAY...Thunderstorm Potential. EXTENDED DISCUSSION... Gusty northerly winds will follow the passage of a cold front on Saturday morning before gradually dying off during the afternoon and evening hours as high pressure builds into the area. Southerly winds and above normal temperatures will quickly return on Sunday and continue into the middle of next week. By the middle of the week, another frontal boundary will approach the area, bringing a chance for showers and storms. This front may linger around the area for a bit bringing prolonged periods of rain chances to the region. weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
718 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
ARZ001-002-110145-
Carroll AR-Benton AR-
718 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Benton
and northwestern Carroll Counties through 745 PM CST...
At 718 PM CST, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from near Pea Ridge to near Highfill. Movement was
east at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Rogers... Bentonville...
Bella Vista... Lowell...
Pea Ridge... Highfill...
Garfield... Gateway...
Beaver... Northwest Arkansas Regional Air...
Centerton... Avoca...
Hill Top... Walnut Hill...
Vaughn... Larue...
Busch...
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 81 and 93.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northwestern
Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3630 9398 3627 9442 3650 9416 3650 9370
TIME...MOT...LOC 0118Z 252DEG 51KT 3647 9409 3628 9434
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
740 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
ARZ002-010-011-110215-
Carroll AR-Madison AR-Washington AR-
740 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Madison,
central Carroll and northeastern Washington Counties through 815 PM
CST...
At 740 PM CST, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 6 miles east of Springdale to 4 miles east of
Prairie Grove. Movement was east at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Fayetteville... Springdale...
Huntsville... Elkins...
West Fork... Greenland...
Hindsville... Wesley...
Withrow Springs State Park... Drake Field Airport...
Forum... Clifty...
Goshen... Georgetown...
Rockhouse... Tuttle...
Mayfield... Alabam...
Best... Sonora...
This includes Interstate 49 between mile markers 55 and 62.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northwestern
Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3633 9351 3598 9384 3595 9431 3618 9409
TIME...MOT...LOC 0140Z 248DEG 52KT 3615 9402 3596 9425
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
802 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
ARZ002-011-110230-
Carroll AR-Madison AR-
802 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northern Madison and
southeastern Carroll Counties through 830 PM CST...
At 801 PM CST, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 2 miles north of Forum to 4 miles south of
Hindsville. Movement was east at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Huntsville... Green Forest...
Hindsville... Withrow Springs State Park...
Carrollton... Rudd...
Marble... Forum...
Osage... Rule...
Rockhouse... Dryfork...
Cabanal... Metalton...
Connor... Coin...
Alabam... Denver...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northwestern
Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3612 9341 3612 9348 3609 9348 3603 9394
3605 9395 3627 9374 3645 9330 3625 9330
TIME...MOT...LOC 0201Z 252DEG 51KT 3622 9373 3608 9386
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
807 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
ARZ019-020-110230-
Franklin AR-Crawford AR-
807 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Franklin and central Crawford Counties through 830 PM CST...
At 807 PM CST, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near
Rudy, moving northeast at 70 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Van Buren... Mountainburg...
Alma... Rudy...
Figure Five... Fern...
Concord... Shibley...
Piney... Locke...
Furry...
This includes the following highways,
Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 5 and 14.
Interstate 540 between mile markers 1 and 2.
Interstate 49 between mile markers 22 and 30.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northwestern
and west central Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3542 9431 3552 9440 3571 9404 3563 9395
TIME...MOT...LOC 0207Z 234DEG 60KT 3551 9429
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
808 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
ARZ029-OKZ075-076-110245-
Sebastian AR-Latimer OK-Le Flore OK-
808 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of west central
Sebastian, southeastern Latimer and central Le Flore Counties through
845 PM CST...
At 808 PM CST, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 2 miles southeast of Panama to 3 miles northwest
of Lake Wister State Park to 3 miles southwest of Bengal. Movement
was east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Poteau... Greenwood...
Wister... Hackett...
Howe... Bonanza...
Fanshawe... Cameron...
Bengal... Lake Wister State Park...
Excelsior... Jenny Lind...
Shady Point... Rock Island...
Summerfield... Jenson...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for west central
Arkansas...and southeastern Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3532 9419 3507 9438 3486 9474 3473 9522
3499 9492 3517 9464
TIME...MOT...LOC 0208Z 250DEG 44KT 3514 9464 3496 9481 3479 9509
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
831 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
ARZ019-020-029-OKZ076-110315-
Sebastian AR-Franklin AR-Crawford AR-Le Flore OK-
831 PM CST Fri Dec 10 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Franklin,
southeastern Crawford, Sebastian and east central Le Flore Counties
through 915 PM CST...
At 831 PM CST, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms along a
line extending from 4 miles south of Dyer to near Midland to near
Howe. Movement was east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations in or near the path include...
Fort Smith... Poteau...
Ozark... Charleston...
Greenwood... Barling...
Heavener... Lavaca...
Mulberry... Mansfield...
Wister... Dyer...
Hackett... Howe...
Altus... Hartford...
Huntington... Bonanza...
Branch... Midland...
This includes Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 20 and
42.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CST for northwestern
and west central Arkansas...and southeastern Oklahoma.
&&
LAT...LON 3538 9371 3537 9375 3542 9380 3531 9381
3532 9392 3523 9392 3523 9403 3514 9403
3514 9414 3510 9414 3506 9425 3506 9423
3497 9424 3495 9441 3493 9445 3489 9445
3488 9487 3520 9451 3559 9401 3566 9370
TIME...MOT...LOC 0231Z 252DEG 42KT 3543 9412 3512 9436 3495 9467
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPHThe Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 56 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:59 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated to 60 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, December 2021
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: 989406.