Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Arkansas, November 4, 2022

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Arkansas, November 4, 2022
Start: 2022-11-04T18:41
End: 2022-11-04T22:44
Location: Arkansas

November 4, 2022 · NWS LZK · 23 events in 14 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $2,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 23

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS LZK wrote it up.

A cold front approached Arkansas from the west late Friday night into Saturday morning. Strong to severe thunderstorms developed along and ahead of this front,|with damaging winds and tornadoes observed across the state. This thunderstorm activity grew upscale from singular supercells into a linear QLCS line over the eastern half of Arkansas.

What forecasters said that day

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 Little Rock, AR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 4, 5:58 PM CST, 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 4, 5:58 PM CST, 43 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
658 PM CDT Fri Nov 4 2022

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Sunday)
Issued at 232 PM CDT Fri Nov 4 2022

An upper lvl storm system was centered over eastern NM early this
aftn, with an assocd sfc low situated acrs Srn OK. The deepening sfc
low is resulting in breezy south winds ovr much of AR. Low level
moisture/clouds have contd to advect Nwd acrs the FA since this
mrng, with >60F sfc dewpoints noted ovr all but far of N AR.

The aforementioned storm sys is still on track to lift to the NW of
AR thru tngt. The assocd CDFNT wl sweep acrs the FA fm the west,
providing a focus for scattered to numerous storms tngt into early
Sat. Overall timing is mostly unchanged, with a line of storms movg
into Wrn AR arnd sunset, into central AR arnd midnight, with the
activity moving east of the MS River by daybreak Sat AM.

CAMS model solutions rmn in good agreement with overall trends the
next 12 to 24 hrs. Sctd convection is expected to dvlp later this
aftn acrs Ern OK/Wrn AR, with the activity evolving into a squall
line as it shifts to the east tngt. Impressive fcst low lvl wind
speeds were noted again this mrng, with 950 mb speeds exceeding
50kts and 850 mb winds apchg 70 kts along and ahead of the
convection tngt.

Since this is a high shear/low CAPE environment, damaging winds wl
be the primary threat, along with a few tornadoes possible. The fcst
low lvl wind profiles still favor w-cntrl/s-cntrl portions of the FA
for tornadic storms into early this evening, primarily where
isolated supercells can form. Isolated 'spin ups' cannot be ruled
out later this evening as the storm mode transitions into a QLCS
line of storms. One of the inhibiting factors with this scenario wl
be the potential lack of instability during the mid to late aftn if
low clouds persist.

With such a dynamic storm system, gusty winds wl be common acrs the
region heading into Sat. Other than some minor adjustments to fcst
wind speeds, plan to keep the Wind Advisory placement as is.

Drier and much calmer conds wl return heading in Sat as the CDFNT
pushes to the east of AR. Sat aftn highs wl generally be in the 60s.
South winds quickly return for Sun, with highs returning to the 70s
for most locations.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Sunday night through next Friday)
Issued at 232 PM CDT Fri Nov 4 2022

Through the period, a highly amplified upper pattern will develop as
large scale ridging builds over the eastern CONUS and deep troughing
sets up along the West Coast. A warm front will lift north across AR
on Monday as this transition occurs, and enough instability/moisture
will be present to support iso/sctd showers and storms. Well above
average temps are also expected, especially during the first half of
the week, as upper ridging expands into the MS Valley. Daily highs
in the 70s/80s and nightly lows in the 50s/60s will be common.

The pattern will begin to shift mid into late week with western
upper troughing moving across the Intermountain West and eastern
upper ridging moving into the Atlantic. Southerly surface flow and
deeper moisture will return locally during this time. As the
incoming western trough approaches late week, rain chances will
begin to increase over western/northwestern sections.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 646 PM CDT Fri Nov 4 2022

SHRA/TSRA will move into the CWA from the W along and ahead of a
cold front. S/SE winds will increase this evening ahead of the
line of convection. Additionally, winds will be erratic and gusty
within TSRA activity. VFR conds will deteriorate to MVFR/IFR
within convection. Given the amount of wind shear overnight, wind
shear was included at all terminals. Conds will improve S/Cntrl
overnight, with conds improving N Sat morning. Winds will switch
the W in the wake of the cold front.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Batesville AR     53  63  45  73 / 100  10   0   0
Camden AR         50  67  44  77 / 100   0   0   0
Harrison AR       44  59  44  71 / 100   0   0   0
Hot Springs AR    48  65  44  75 / 100   0   0   0
Little Rock   AR  55  67  47  78 / 100   0   0   0
Monticello AR     57  68  49  78 / 100  10   0  10
Mount Ida AR      44  65  43  75 / 100   0   0   0
Mountain Home AR  48  60  44  72 / 100   0   0   0
Newport AR        56  62  44  72 / 100  10   0   0
Pine Bluff AR     55  67  46  77 / 100  10   0   0
Russellville AR   48  63  43  75 / 100   0   0   0
Searcy AR         53  64  42  76 / 100  10   0   0
Stuttgart AR      57  65  46  75 / 100  10   0   0

&&

.LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory until 6 AM CDT Saturday for ARZ006>008-014>017-024-
025-032>034-044>047-056-057-064-065-069-123-223.

&&

SHORT TERM...44
LONG TERM....69
AVIATION...70

Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 4, 1:41 PM CST, 5 hours before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
241 PM CDT Fri Nov 4 2022

ARZ004>008-014>017-024-025-031>034-039-042>047-052>057-062>069-
103-112-113-121>123-130-137-138-140-141-203-212-213-221>223-230-
237-238-240-241-313-340-341-051000-
Marion-Baxter-Fulton-Sharp-Randolph-Stone-Izard-Independence-
Lawrence-Cleburne-Jackson-Conway-Faulkner-White-Woodruff-Perry-
Garland-Saline-Pulaski-Lonoke-Prairie-Monroe-Pike-Clark-
Hot Spring-Grant-Jefferson-Arkansas-Dallas-Cleveland-Lincoln-
Desha-Ouachita-Calhoun-Bradley-Drew-Boone County Except Southwest-
Newton County Higher Elevations-Searcy County Lower Elevations-
Southern Johnson County-Southern Pope County-
Southeast Van Buren County-Western and Northern Logan County-
Northern Scott County-Northwest Yell County-
Polk County Lower Elevations-
Central and Eastern Montgomery County-
Boone County Higher Elevations-Newton County Lower Elevations-
Northwest Searcy County Higher Elevations-
Johnson County Higher Elevations-Pope County Higher Elevations-
Van Buren County Higher Elevations-
Southern and Eastern Logan County-
Central and Southern Scott County-Yell Excluding Northwest-
Northern Polk County Higher Elevations-
Northern Montgomery County Higher Elevations-
Eastern, Central, and Southern Searcy County Higher Elevations-
Southeast Polk County Higher Elevations-
Southwest Montgomery County Higher Elevations-
241 PM CDT Fri Nov 4 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a Large Part of Arkansas.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Thunderstorms will increase from the west this evening and move
across Arkansas through early Saturday morning. Tornadoes, large
hail, and widespread damaging winds will be possible with the
highest tornado threat over west-central and southwest Arkansas.
Storms will diminish before sunrise on Saturday.

Strong non-thunderstorm winds are also likely tonight, mainly for
the eastern half of the area. Sustained speeds up to 25 mph and
gusts to 45 mph will be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

A warm front will lift to the north late Sunday night and into
Monday with a few thunderstorms possible. No other hazardous
weather is expected through the period.

.Spotter Information Statement...

Spotter activation will be needed this afternoon through early
Saturday morning.

&&

Visit NWS Little Rock on the web. Go to http://weather.gov/lzk.

69/56/234

The radar

The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 110 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:41 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

14 thunderstorm wind, 8 tornado, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: November 4, 6:41 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 0.57 mi W of Wickes
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.300, -94.340

Multiple trees and powerlines were blown down in Wickes.

Tornado, Polk

When: November 4, 6:43 PM CST to 6:45 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 1.34 mi SE of Wickes to 2.47 mi E of Wickes
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.8 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.286, -94.314

This brief tornado developed along a strong rear flank downdraft surge that swept across areas immediately southeast of Wickes. Several chicken houses sustained varying degrees of damage, from roof panels stripped off most structures, to walls collapsed on at least one structure. Surrounding tree damage west of the track suggested strong inflow into the tornado while tree damage east of the track was consistent with non-tornadic damaging winds. Start and end locations/times were approximated due to limited accessibility.

Tornado, Logan

When: November 4, 6:48 PM CST to 6:49 PM CST
Where: Logan County, 3.23 mi NNW of Roseville to 3.19 mi NNW of Roseville
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 1,100 yd
Continued into: Franklin, Ar (TSA)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.421, -93.807

This short tornado track is a continuation from Franklin County in Tulsa's CWA as it crossed into a small portion of Logan County across the Arkansas River Valley southwest of Denning. This tornado then crossed back into Franklin County after crossing the Arkansas River. Peak strength and width data came from Tulsa's survey findings.

Thunderstorm Wind, Boone

When: November 4, 7:03 PM CST
Where: Boone County, 3.04 mi NW of Cricket
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 36.480, -93.260

Multiple trees and powerlines were blown down across Arkansas 14.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: November 4, 7:07 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 0.69 mi S of Clarksville
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.460, -93.470

A few trees were blown down in Clarksville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Polk

When: November 4, 7:17 PM CST
Where: Polk County, 0.69 mi N of Cherry Hill
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.590, -94.000

Multiple trees and powerlines blown down in Cherry Hill.

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When: November 4, 7:22 PM CST
Where: Montgomery County, 1.84 mi WNW of Pine Ridge
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.590, -93.910

Multiple trees and powerlines were blown down in Pine Ridge.

Tornado, Yell

When: November 4, 7:49 PM CST to 7:53 PM CST
Where: Yell County, 1.79 mi SE of Gravelly to 0.4 mi W of Bluffton
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.7 mi
Path width: 600 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.864, -93.655

The tornado began along Little Texas Road south of Highway 28 in Yell County. Several pine and hardwood trees were either snapped or uprooted along Little Texas Road and Billingsley Lane. As the tornado moved northeast and crossed Highway 28 near Gafford Creek, a carport was destroyed but the home received no damage. Additional tree damage occurred as the tornado crossed Gafford Creek with the tornado dissipating shortly after near Bluff Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pike

When: November 4, 8:06 PM CST
Where: Pike County, 0.57 mi W of Kirby
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.250, -93.640

Trees and powerlines were blown down in Kirby.

Tornado, Pike

When: November 4, 8:08 PM CST to 8:10 PM CST
Where: Pike County, 1.41 mi S of Kirby to 0.92 mi E of Kirby
Rating: EF2
Path length: 1.7 mi
Path width: 75 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.230, -93.633

The tornado began at the base of Kirby Mountain just to the east of Highway 27 and south of Mitchell Road. Along the path of the tornado, a barn was completely destroyed. A metal outbuilding had minor roof damage. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado ended along and just north of Highway 84 east of Kirby.

Tornado, Yell

When: November 4, 8:15 PM CST to 8:18 PM CST
Where: Yell County, 0.91 mi NE of Gilkey to 1.15 mi N of Kingston
Rating: EF1
Path length: 2.3 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 35.007, -93.337

The tornado began just north of Norman Hill Road at Kingston Road and tracked northeast along Kingston Road. This tornado snapped trees adjacent to the road and removed much of the roofing material from a home. A small outbuilding was destroyed on Covey Rise Lane. The tornado continued to move northeast before dissipating near Peeler Gap Road north of County Road 728. Trees were snapped along the path from Covey Rise Lane to the ending point.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clark

When: November 4, 8:19 PM CST
Where: Clark County, 0.57 mi W of Amity
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 34.270, -93.460

Trees and powerlines were blown down in Amity.

Thunderstorm Wind, Baxter

When: November 4, 8:34 PM CST
Where: Baxter County, 0.69 mi N of Mountain Home
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.340, -92.380

Numerous trees were blown down throughout the county. Downed trees temporarily blocked Highway 62 East, Highway 5 South, and Highway 178 West, as well as numerous county roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Baxter

When: November 4, 8:44 PM CST
Where: Baxter County, 0.69 mi N of Henderson
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 36.380, -92.230

The roof of a vacant house collapsed along Lake Norfork Drive. A collapsed roof at an outdoor boat storage business resulted in damage to several boats. The boat storage business was located along Highway 62 East.

Tornado, Clark

When: November 4, 9:00 PM CST to 9:07 PM CST
Where: Clark County, 2.4 mi W of Copeland Ridge to 1.53 mi W of Griffithtown
Rating: EF1
Path length: 7.7 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 33.972, -93.062

This tornado started just southwest of Vaden Road, continuing northeast across 2nd Road towards Newton and Copeland Ridge Roads. Mainly tree damage was noted, either uprooted or snapped. An old church building was knocked just slightly off the block foundation. This tornado continued northeast, eventually crossing Open Banks Road, near the Ouachita River. The tornado continued northeast, crossing the Ouachita River, eventually crossing Dutche Hunter Road before lifting just before State Highway 7.

Flash Flood, Johnson

When: November 4, 9:08 PM CST to 9:38 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 1.07 mi W of Clarksville Muni Arp to 0.8 mi WSW of Clarksville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.468, -93.449

Flash flooding was observed along Main Street in Clarksville, temporarily closing portions of the road.

Tornado, Hot Spring

When: November 4, 9:27 PM CST to 9:28 PM CST
Where: Hot Spring County, 1.92 mi NW of Twin Oaks to 1.98 mi NW of Twin Oaks
Rating: EF1
Path length: 0.4 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.268, -92.826

A brief tornado touched down just west of Ridge Road south of Malvern. The tornado uprooted or snapped numerous trees and caused minor roof damage to a metal outbuilding.

Tornado, Saline

When: November 4, 10:04 PM CST to 10:06 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 1.12 mi S of Sardis to 1.28 mi E of Sardis
Rating: EF2
Path length: 1.6 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 34.514, -92.401

This tornado started on Cardinal Circle southeast of Sardis, uprooting or snapping trees as it moved northeast over West Fairview Road and Long Drive. The worst damage was noted along Pruett Road, where several homes were damaged, some which lost their roofs. The tornado continued northeast over East Sardis Road, damaging more trees. The tornado lifted near the intersection of East Sardis Road and Stan Cove.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski

When: November 4, 10:10 PM CST
Where: Pulaski County, 0.89 mi NW of Gibson
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 34.890, -92.240

Several large tree branches were snapped off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski

When: November 4, 10:27 PM CST
Where: Pulaski County, 1.83 mi ENE of Tates Mill
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.980, -92.140

Part of a metal roof covering to a porch was peeled back.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lonoke

When: November 4, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Lonoke County, Cabot
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 34.970, -92.020

Multiple trees were blown down in Cabot.

Thunderstorm Wind, White

When: November 4, 10:35 PM CST
Where: White County, 0.89 mi NE of Antioch
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 35.140, -91.920

Several large tree limbs were snapped off in Antioch.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lonoke

When: November 4, 10:44 PM CST
Where: Lonoke County, Furlow
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 34.830, -91.980

A tree was blown down in Furlow.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arkansas in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Arkansas, 2022 Warnings in Arkansas, November 2022

Sources

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: 1064134, 1064086, 1064092, 1064140, 1064145, 1064146, 1064148, 1064104, 1064143, 1064109, 1064113, 1064147, 1064155, 1064149, 1064120, 1064154, 1064123, 1064125, 1064158, 1064170, 1064171, 1064176, 1064177.