An upper low pressure system over the Four Corners Region ejected northeast through the Southern Rockies into the Central Plains by the afternoon of April 5th, which reinforced a cold front southeast into East Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and North Louisiana before stalling out late in the day. Large scale ascent increased along and ahead of the front and the ejecting upper low, which had tapped…
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.
An upper low pressure system over the Four Corners Region ejected northeast through the Southern Rockies into the Central Plains by the afternoon of April 5th, which reinforced a cold front southeast into East Texas, Southwest Arkansas, and North Louisiana before stalling out late in the day. Large scale ascent increased along and ahead of the front and the ejecting upper low, which had tapped into a warm and moderately unstable air mass that had pooled north from the Gulf of Mexico ahead of the front. This resulted in numerous shower and thunderstorm development during the morning around and after daybreak over Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas, which eventually moved into portions of extreme Northwest Louisiana by late morning/early afternoon. Some of these storms became severe over portions of Southern Miller and Lafayette Counties in Southwest Arkansas, with damaging winds observed before weakening by mid-afternoon.
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 Apr 5, 5:25 AM CST, 2 hours 50 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
625 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
...New AVIATION...
.SHORT TERM...
(Wednesday through Thursday)
Issued at 231 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
Morning sfc analysis showing the dryline boundary just west of
KDFW with the cold front right on the heels of it, layered across
NW/TX. Aloft, the upper level low that was previously stationed
across the Four Corners this time yesterday continues to lift NE,
and is now situated across the Dakotas. The trend through
Tuesday, not just in the guidance, but in the real time analysis,
showcased a significant slow down of the advancing boundary thus
ultimately delaying the convective initiation that was previously
believed to be developing sometime between 2-3 AM local time
along the NW corner of the SHV FA border. CAMs as early as 18z
Tuesday indicated a further westward initiation point along the
slowed boundary than previously advertised, decaying while moving
through the western zones of the SHV CWA.
The thinking for now is for the delayed dryline convective
initiation to proceed as expected near or just east of the DFW
metro this morning. As storms begin to rapidly grow upscale,
maximizing the primed environment currently present following a
weak cap bust ahead of the boundary, severe potential would become
favorable. Having said this, with the sfc cold front quickly
catching the dryline based convection, the boundary may very
easily undercut the upscaling storms as they move across the
western and NW zones of the FA. This would quickly minimize the
severe potential from evolving further as storms move east. At the
same time, the supportive low level jet max overhead looks to
weaken while outrunning the line through the morning following the
initiation period. This could then explain, aside form the very
short window of opportunity, why the CAMs continue to weaken the
initial threat prior to a second round of redevelopment later this
afternoon.
As the front moves eastward through the morning, enhanced sfc
southerlies ahead of the boundary and afternoon peak heating with
highs in the SE zones today cruising towards the mid 80s, a
supportive environment favoring convective redevelopment is
possible, with the primary threats for now being damaging winds,
and hail. At this time, not ruling out the chance for an isolated
tornado just yet, but the parameters in the guidance this morning
both at 00z and 06z seem to fall short of the expectations given
distance now from the sfc low. Regardless, storms could be on the
stronger side east of I-49 through the afternoon and with PWAT
values near and north 1.5", heavy downpours associated with storms
would be expected. The boundary will continue move SE through the
afternoon and evening but with a steady progressive multi-layer SW
moisture flow post frontal passage, MUCAPE values will favor
training showers and elevated storms overnight through Thursday
AM, leading into thursday afternoon as the boundary stalls south
of the FA.
Temperatures tonight behind the front, mixed with some rain
cooling, will settle into the 40s and 50s, with the cooler and
drier airmass across the NW zones, as temperatures increase the
further south and east you go, nearing 60 in the deep SE zones of
the FA. Highs Thursday, given the PoPs in place from SW to NE
across the CWA, will trend mainly in the 60s.
/53/
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Thursday Night through Wednesday)
Issued at 231 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
By Thursday night, a stalled sfc frontal boundary will linger along
the coast while the 850 mb front continues to lag behind across our
southern zones. Looking further aloft, deep SW flow will continue to
usher in warm and moist air over top the much cooler sfc conditions.
This steady stream of moisture will result in a continuation of more
showers and thunderstorms, primarily for locations south of I-30 and
especially along and south of I-20. Periods of heavy rain will still
be possible from Thursday night into Friday as indicated by the Day
3 excessive rainfall outlook highlighting a Marginal to Slight Risk
across the aforementioned areas south of I-30. The primary areas of
concern will be across Deep East Texas and into much of North and
Central Louisiana where total event rainfall through the duration of
this week could range from 3-6 inches in some locations. Despite a
relatively dry period more recently across many of these areas, a
scenario like this would still present flooding concerns and likely
result in a Flood Watch issuance in future forecasts over the next
24 hours.
The heavy rain threat may linger through Friday night across our SE
zones before gradually diminishing by Saturday as a shortwave trough
nudges the boundary and associated coastal low farther SE into the
Gulf. In doing so, it should bring an end to the rain altogether and
a return to much more seasonal temperatures for early April as highs
recover into the 70s areawide by Easter Sunday. In addition, gradual
clearing of cloud cover is also expected as upper-level ridging will
build into the region from the west. This pattern shift will further
propel the warming trend through early next week as afternoon highs
bounce back into the lower and mid 80s with dry weather expected to
prevail through the remainder of the long-term period ending on next
Wednesday.
/19/
&&
.AVIATION...
(12Z TAFS)
Issued at 607 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
Convective initiation underway just east of KDFW, moving east
towards western terminals to start the 12z TAF period. Tanking
CIGs, VSBY restrictions and mixed flight rules will prevail. Trend
is for this convection to weaken as it moves east across the
airspace. The slow progression of the boundary overnight will
allow for redevelopment of stronger TSRA just after 20z Wednesday
as a linear mode of storms resurges along the boundary from KLFK
to KSHV, and north to KELD moving east. Will need to monitor for
severe potential during this period once again. Post frontal
passage, terminal winds west of KSHV will trend NW 5-10 kts while
eastern terminals ahead of the boundary will remain southerly,
becoming VRB under TS/SHRA generally 10-15 kts. Elevated showers
and storms will begin to work back into the airspace by the mid to
late period with a mix of SHRA/TSRA.
/53/
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SHV 76 53 60 50 / 90 80 70 60
MLU 84 54 62 50 / 70 90 80 70
DEQ 74 46 62 47 / 90 20 10 20
TXK 75 51 60 48 / 90 40 30 30
ELD 77 49 57 47 / 90 80 70 40
TYR 73 52 61 49 / 100 40 40 50
GGG 75 52 60 49 / 90 60 60 50
LFK 80 54 63 52 / 90 90 90 80
&&
.SHV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...Wind Advisory until 7 AM CDT this morning for ARZ050-051-059>061-
070>073.
LA...Wind Advisory until 7 AM CDT this morning for LAZ001>006-010>014-
017>022.
OK...Wind Advisory until 7 AM CDT this morning for OKZ077.
TX...Wind Advisory until 7 AM CDT this morning for TXZ096-097-108>112-
124>126-136>138-149>153-165>167.
&&
SHORT TERM...53
LONG TERM....19
AVIATION...53Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Shreveport LA 648 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023 ARZ061-071>073-LAZ001>006-010>014-017>022-TXZ124>126-136>138-149>153- 165>167-061200- Nevada-Lafayette-Columbia-Union-Caddo-Bossier-Webster-Claiborne- Lincoln-De Soto-Red River-Bienville-Jackson-Ouachita-Sabine- Natchitoches-Winn-Grant-Caldwell-La Salle-Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith- Gregg-Harrison-Cherokee-Rusk-Panola-Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina- San Augustine- 648 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Arkansas, southwest Arkansas, north central Louisiana, northwest Louisiana, east Texas and northeast Texas. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected today as the next cold front advances into the region. The severe threat appears to be highest along and south of the I-30 corridor. This will occur as the cold front slows its eastward progression and heating increases ahead of the front, further enhancing the threat by this afternoon before gradually diminishing through the evening hours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. The pattern looks to remain unsettled through the end of the week as rounds of heavy rainfall will become more likely as the front stalls south of the region. This could reintroduce flooding concerns across the region through the end of the week as several inches of rainfall will be possible, mainly from Deep East Texas into North and Central Louisiana. The rain will gradually end by this Easter weekend as the stalled boundary finally exits to the southeast. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed through this afternoon. ARZ050-051-059-060-070-OKZ077-TXZ096-097-108>112-061200- Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Miller-McCurtain-Red River- Bowie-Franklin-Titus-Camp-Morris-Cass- 648 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023 ...TORNADO WATCH 124 IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CDT TODAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Arkansas, southeast Oklahoma and northeast Texas. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected today as the next cold front advances into the region. The severe threat appears to be highest along and south of the I-30 corridor. This will occur as the cold front slows its eastward progression and heating increases ahead of the front, further enhancing the threat by this afternoon before gradually diminishing through the evening hours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. The pattern looks to remain unsettled through the end of the week as rounds of heavy rainfall will become more likely as the front stalls south of the region. This could reintroduce flooding concerns across the region through the end of the week as several inches of rainfall will be possible, mainly from Deep East Texas into North and Central Louisiana. The rain will gradually end by this Easter weekend as the stalled boundary finally exits to the southeast. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will likely be needed through this afternoon. 19
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
729 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
ARZ050-051-060-051300-
Howard AR-Hempstead AR-Sevier AR-
729 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Hempstead,
southeastern Sevier and southeastern Howard Counties through 800 AM
CDT...
At 729 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Tollette, or near Mineral Springs, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch 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 impacted include...
Nashville, Mineral Springs, Blevins, Tollette, Corinth, Saratoga,
McCaskill, Ozan and Bright Star.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon CDT for southwestern
Arkansas.
&&
LAT...LON 3401 9382 3401 9375 3398 9368 3398 9365
3396 9362 3395 9353 3396 9346 3389 9346
3369 9390 3375 9396 3375 9397 3385 9408
3411 9383
TIME...MOT...LOC 1229Z 232DEG 37KT 3385 9383
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
737 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
TXZ108>110-124-125-136-051315-
Upshur TX-Smith TX-Camp TX-Wood TX-Franklin TX-Titus TX-
737 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of central Smith,
southern Franklin, Wood, western Upshur, southern Titus and Camp
Counties through 815 AM CDT...
At 736 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles north of Lake Fork Reservoir to 6 miles
south of Grand Saline to near Malakoff. Movement was east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch 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 impacted include...
Tyler, Gilmer, Mineola, Pittsburg, Winnsboro, Leesburg, Lindale,
Quitman, Big Sandy, Hawkins, Scroggins, Lake Fork Reservoir, Pleasant
Grove, Hainesville, Golden, Rosewood, Hoard, Newsome, Lake Palestine
and Noonday.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon CDT for northeastern
Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3288 9552 3316 9482 3279 9489 3228 9523
3224 9548 3230 9545 3231 9546 3236 9545
3239 9550 3242 9551 3248 9559 3269 9559
3271 9562
TIME...MOT...LOC 1236Z 253DEG 61KT 3291 9558 3259 9574 3220 9600
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
826 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
ARZ050-059-TXZ097-051400-
Sevier AR-Little River AR-Bowie TX-
826 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Little River,
southeastern Sevier and central Bowie Counties through 900 AM CDT...
At 826 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
New Boston, moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Ashdown, New Boston, Foreman, Hooks, Lockesburg, Wilton, Ben Lomond,
Richmond, Oak Grove, Central, Wallace, Millwood, Arden, Red Bank,
Browntown, Pine Prairie and Bellview.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon CDT for southwestern
Arkansas...southeastern Oklahoma...and northeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3378 9397 3374 9395 3374 9397 3371 9396
3373 9396 3373 9395 3367 9396 3340 9443
3355 9461 3364 9452 3362 9453 3362 9452
3363 9452 3362 9451 3363 9449 3368 9448
3398 9420
TIME...MOT...LOC 1326Z 228DEG 44KT 3353 9444
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
827 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
TXZ110>112-125-126-137-138-051400-
Upshur TX-Gregg TX-Harrison TX-Cass TX-Camp TX-Marion TX-Morris TX-
827 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of western Marion, Cass,
northwestern Harrison, eastern Upshur, Morris, southeastern Camp and
northwestern Gregg Counties through 900 AM CDT...
At 827 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Naples to near Cedar Springs to near Big
Sandy. Movement was east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch 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 impacted include...
Longview, White Oak, Gladewater, Daingerfield, Linden, Hughes
Springs, Lone Star, Naples, Ore City, Omaha, Clarksville City, East
Mountain, Rocky Branch, Berea, Harleton, Diana, Jenkins, West
Mountain, Cedar Springs and Fairview.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon CDT for northeastern
Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3299 9483 3298 9482 3303 9482 3321 9476
3328 9442 3326 9439 3326 9436 3324 9426
3324 9423 3327 9424 3330 9421 3331 9417
3331 9415 3329 9414 3259 9451 3251 9499
3253 9499
TIME...MOT...LOC 1327Z 253DEG 38KT 3323 9458 3282 9480 3256 9506
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
901 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
ARZ050-051-059>061-070-TXZ097-051445-
Howard AR-Hempstead AR-Sevier AR-Little River AR-Miller AR-Nevada AR-
Bowie TX-
901 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Little
River, Hempstead, northwestern Miller, southeastern Sevier,
southeastern Howard, northwestern Nevada and east central Bowie
Counties through 945 AM CDT...
At 901 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ogden, or 8 miles southeast of Ashdown, moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 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 impacted include...
Texarkana, Wake Village, Ashdown, Nashville, Mineral Springs, Nash,
Red Lick, Wilton, Blevins, Tollette, Fulton, Washington, Ogden, Ben
Lomond, Corinth, Center Point, Saratoga, Richmond, Oak Grove and
McCaskill.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon CDT for southwestern
Arkansas...and northeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3401 9382 3401 9375 3398 9365 3396 9362
3395 9353 3396 9347 3395 9339 3390 9330
3341 9413 3370 9431 3418 9383
TIME...MOT...LOC 1401Z 227DEG 43KT 3359 9403
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
26Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Shreveport LA
904 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
ARZ070-071-LAZ001-002-TXZ112-126-051430-
Lafayette AR-Miller AR-Bossier LA-Caddo LA-Cass TX-Marion TX-
904 AM CDT Wed Apr 5 2023
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southwestern Miller
and southwestern Lafayette Counties, northwestern Caddo and northern
Bossier Parishes, eastern Marion and southeastern Cass Counties
through 930 AM CDT...
At 903 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Bivins to near Kildare to near Woodlawn.
Movement was east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Vivian, Benton, Plain Dealing, Oil City, Bradley, Hosston, Rodessa,
Belcher, Ida, Gilliam, Bivins, Smithland, Ravanna, McLeod, Gray,
Alden Bridge, Gin City, Cavett, State Line and Ivan.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until noon CDT for southwestern
Arkansas...and northeastern Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3307 9418 3316 9349 3302 9349 3302 9352
3298 9353 3292 9350 3292 9347 3289 9348
3287 9345 3270 9355 3270 9410 3271 9412
3271 9410 3273 9409 3274 9413 3270 9417
3270 9422 3275 9425 3273 9431
TIME...MOT...LOC 1403Z 266DEG 60KT 3301 9416 3288 9420 3271 9431
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
20The Shreveport radar (KSHV), 97 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:15 UTC.
2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down across Highway 237 northwest of Fouke.
A large tree was blown down on Olive Avenue in Bradley.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, April 2023
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: 1084999, 1085000.