A few strong to severe thunderstorms moved across Arkansas on the afternoon and evening of the 2nd. Damaging winds and a tornado occurred over portions of far southeast Arkansas.
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 LZK wrote it up.
A few strong to severe thunderstorms moved across Arkansas on the afternoon and evening of the 2nd. Damaging winds and a tornado occurred over portions of far southeast Arkansas. Over central and northern Arkansas, storms occurred but damage was highly localized. Another tornado moved through Jessieville causing damage.
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 Jan 2, 11:33 AM CST, 1 hour 53 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Little Rock AR 1133 AM CST Mon Jan 2 2023 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Today through Tuesday Night ) Issued at 353 AM CST Mon Jan 2 2023 The focus for this fcst wl be the potential for severe weather today and tonight, along with the possibility of heavy rainfall/localized flooding issues over parts of the FA. Abundant low lvl moisture/clouds have contd to advect Nwd into the region overnight. Latest sfc obs show that >60F dewpoints have advected as far north as central and eastern AR. Will cont to see areas of fog and drizzle affect most areas thru the early mrng hrs as the WAA pattern persists. The upper lvl storm sys set to bring the active wx to AR ovr the next 24 to 36 hours, was apchg the Four Corners region this mrng. Most models agree that the system wl eject NEwd into the central Plains States by early Tue AM. Meanwhile, that assocd sfc low wl dvlp today along the Ern Rockies, eventually tracking towards IA by Tue. Regarding severe wx potential, uncertainties still exist regarding storm evolution today. The 02/00Z LZK sounding showed a pronounced low lvl capping inversion in place, which could limit storm formation thru much of the mrng hrs. If convection does manage to dvlp and bcm organized, all modes of severe wx wl be possible. However, this initial activity could end up limiting the potential for strong/severe wx later today as the atmosphere would not have much time to recover ahead of the apchg CDFNT. The latest CAM guidance conts to show that sctd showers wl be possible this mrng ovr the FA. Then, an organized round of convection is progged to form acrs SW AR by early this aftn, eventually impacting central and northeast AR later in the day. This activity will have a greater potential to produce severe wx. Additional storms are fcst to form acrs SE KS/Ern OK late in the day along and ahead of the apchg Pacific CDFNT. Initially, isold storms are expected to form. These cells wl have a better environment to work with, and have the greater potential for longer track tornadoes. The activity wl eventually evolve into a series of line segments overnight into Tues, with all modes of svr wx possible. Observed rainfall amts acrs AR over the past 7 days show the axis of highest totals (2-3 inches) roughly along and south of the I-40/I-30 corridor. Based on current FF guidance, have opted to issue a Flood Watch for the SE half of the FA starting this aftn thru early Tue mrng. (Thanks to WFO's MEG, SHV and JAN for coordination this mrng.) && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday through Sunday) Issued at 353 AM CST Mon Jan 2 2023 A cold front will be working its way east of the area at the start of the period with sfc ridging building in over the central and southern US. A period of cooler temperatures and dry weather is expected through Friday. By the weekend, mid-level flow become more southwesterly ahead of an approaching trough. Moisture will begin to spread across the area as sfc ridging shifts eastward. Some light rain is possible across the state Sat-Sun as a cold front moves across the area. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1129 AM CST Mon Jan 2 2023 Low clouds and VIS restrictions continue to keep many terminals across the area at IFR/LIFR conditions. Flight conditions will stay mostly the same or worsen as TSRA moves into the state over the next several hours. Expect IFR/LIFR conditions through the overnight hours as frontal passage is not expected until early Tuesday morning. By then terminals are expected to return to VFR conditions. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Batesville AR 71 61 70 42 / 100 90 10 0 Camden AR 73 61 72 45 / 90 100 10 0 Harrison AR 71 54 63 35 / 80 100 0 0 Hot Springs AR 71 59 68 42 / 100 100 10 0 Little Rock AR 74 62 73 45 / 90 100 10 0 Monticello AR 73 64 73 48 / 80 100 40 10 Mount Ida AR 72 55 68 40 / 100 100 0 0 Mountain Home AR 71 57 67 37 / 90 100 0 0 Newport AR 70 62 69 44 / 100 100 20 0 Pine Bluff AR 73 62 72 46 / 90 100 20 0 Russellville AR 72 56 69 40 / 90 100 0 0 Searcy AR 71 60 71 42 / 100 100 10 0 Stuttgart AR 71 64 71 46 / 90 100 20 0 && .LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through late tonight for ARZ007-008-016-017-024-025- 032>034-042>047-052>057-062>069. && SHORT TERM...44 LONG TERM....67 AVIATION...233
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Little Rock AR 425 AM CST Mon Jan 2 2023 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- 237-238-240-241-313-340-341-031100- 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- 425 AM CST Mon Jan 2 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a Large Part of Arkansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Strong and severe thunderstorms will be possible today and tonight as a storm system affects the region. All modes of severe weather will be possible. There is also the potential for heavy rainfall, which may lead to localized flooding. The greatest potential for flooding appears to be across the southeast half of Arkansas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Showers and thunderstorms will be tapering off across eastern Arkansas Tuesday morning. Otherwise, the remainder of the period will see little in the way of active weather. .Spotter Information Statement... Spotter activation will likely be needed this afternoon and tonight. Spotters are urged to monitor the latest forecast and relay any severe weather reports to the National Weather Service in Little Rock. && Visit NWS Little Rock on the web. Go to http://weather.gov/lzk. 44/67
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
1227 PM CST Mon Jan 2 2023
ARZ045-046-056-057-021900-
Lonoke AR-Arkansas AR-Prairie AR-Jefferson AR-
1227 PM CST Mon Jan 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Prairie, southeastern Lonoke, north central Jefferson and
northwestern Arkansas Counties through 100 PM CST...
At 1227 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Altheimer, or 13 miles northeast of Pine Bluff, moving northeast at
35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 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 impacted include...
Stuttgart... Altheimer...
Humphrey... Humnoke...
Parkers Corner... Stuttgart Municipal Airport...
Brummitt... Wabbaseka...
Allport... Gethsemane...
Bayou Meteo State Game Area...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3425 9179 3436 9196 3469 9174 3455 9148
TIME...MOT...LOC 1827Z 212DEG 32KT 3435 9184
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
233Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
1252 PM CST Mon Jan 2 2023
ARZ047-021930-
Monroe AR-
1252 PM CST Mon Jan 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central Monroe
County through 130 PM CST...
At 1252 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Clarendon, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea 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...
Brinkley... Alfrey...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3464 9124 3467 9130 3495 9115 3491 9115
3491 9112 3487 9112 3487 9110 3475 9110
TIME...MOT...LOC 1852Z 210DEG 37KT 3468 9126
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
71Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
103 PM CST Mon Jan 2 2023
ARZ045-046-021930-
Lonoke AR-Prairie AR-
103 PM CST Mon Jan 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Prairie
and central Lonoke Counties through 130 PM CST...
At 102 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Sisemore, or near Lonoke, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 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 impacted include...
Lonoke... Carlisle...
Barrettsville... McCreanor...
Thurman... Sisemore...
Hayley... Butlerville...
Hickory Plains... Woodlawn...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3467 9181 3472 9195 3503 9184 3503 9180
3504 9180 3505 9176 3499 9156
TIME...MOT...LOC 1902Z 202DEG 35KT 3475 9185
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
233Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
107 PM CST Mon Jan 2 2023
ARZ046-021930-
Prairie AR-
107 PM CST Mon Jan 2 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Prairie
County through 130 PM CST...
At 107 PM CST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Prairie Center, or near Hazen, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 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 impacted include...
Des Arc... Hazen...
Screeton... Sand Hill...
Little Dixie... Center Point...
Childers...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3471 9160 3475 9170 3480 9170 3508 9154
3506 9148 3506 9146 3505 9145 3503 9136
3498 9136
TIME...MOT...LOC 1907Z 204DEG 40KT 3477 9165
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
233The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:27 UTC.
15 flash flood, 6 flood, 2 tornado, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
A report was received from mPING of street flooding and/or vehicles stranded.
A report was received from mPING of street flooding and/or vehicles stranded.
A report was received from mPING of street flooding and/or vehicles stranded.
A report was received from mPING of a river or creek overflowing or cropland, yard, basement flooding.
Street flooding was reported in the city of Conway on Oak St. and near Hendrix College.
This tornado began just to the southwest of Jessieville, causing tree damage around an Arkansas Forestry Commission building. The tornado then quickly moved northeast into Jessieville, and caused damage to a few homes in town. Most notably, damage was noted to several buildings on the campus of Jessieville High School, and three out of four fixed light poles for the football field were bent over. The tornado continued to move northeast, doing damage to a pole barn just north of town, before finally dissipating.
A report was received from mPING of river or creek overflowing, or cropland, or yard, or basement flooding.
A report was received from mPING of homes or buildings filled with water.
The emergency manager reported flooding at the intersection of NW 4th street and West Main Street in Walnut Ridge.
Multiple roads in and around Walnut Ridge and Hoxie were under water and closed.
This tornado crossed the Chicot/Desha County line around 744 PM CST, and did sparse damage along Arkansas Highway 35, knocking over a few telephone poles along the road, More conclusive evidence was noted in the cotton fields alongside the road, where swaths of convergent flow and damaged cotton were observed for around a half mile, between the county line and the town of Halley, with the tornado dissipating just before reaching Halley. This track is a continuation of a tornado that was ongoing, originating in Ashley County and moving through Chicot County. Peak wind speed was 80 mph.
A tree was knocked down and partially fell on a home.
A report was received from mPING of river or creek overflowing, or cropland, yard, or basement flooding.
A report was received from mPING of river or creek overflowing, or cropland, yard or basement flooding.
A report was received from mPING of river or creek overflowing, or cropland, yard or basement flooding.
Numerous roads were flooded, and water was deep and flowing across several roads near Star City.
Arkansas Dept. of Transportation closed Hwy. 114 due to deep water being over the road.
Numerous homes flooded in De Witt. Multiple county roads flooded as well.
A report was received from mPING of river or creek overflowing, or cropland, yard, basement flooding.
State Hwy. 189 east of New Edinburg flooded.
Several miles of Hwy. 138 flooded northeast of Monticello.
Water was over Hwy. 276 south of Stuttgart.
Several miles of Hwy. 83 flooded northwest of Dumas.
A report was received from mPING of street or road flooding, street or road closed, or vehicles stranded.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Arkansas, 2023Warnings in Arkansas, January 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: 1069126, 1069128, 1069129, 1069130, 1069131, 1069133, 1069136, 1069137, 1069138, 1069139, 1069158, 1069140, 1069141, 1069142, 1069143, 1069144, 1069145, 1069146, 1069147, 1069148, 1069149, 1069150, 1069151, 1069152.