A regional tornado outbreak occurred during the late afternoon of Friday, March 31, 2023, and continued into the early morning hours of Saturday, April 1, 2023. This outbreak covered portions of the Ohio Valley, and the Middle and Lower Mississippi Valleys, including a good portion of the Mid-South and stretching into the Tennessee Valley.
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 MEG wrote it up.
A regional tornado outbreak occurred during the late afternoon of Friday, March 31, 2023, and continued into the early morning hours of Saturday, April 1, 2023. This outbreak covered portions of the Ohio Valley, and the Middle and Lower Mississippi Valleys, including a good portion of the Mid-South and stretching into the Tennessee Valley. On Friday, March 31, a surface low was located near La Crosse, WI, with a cold front stretching south into central/southwest Missouri, western Arkansas, and into eastern Texas. Surface temperatures were mainly in the 70s to approaching 80 degrees with surface dewpoints in the lower to middle 60s, yielding Surface-Based CAPE (SBCAPE) values between 1500-2000 J/kg by Friday evening. Favorable upper-level divergence produced by the right entrance region of a 140-kt jet streak at 300 mb provided ample lift to produce strong to severe thunderstorms across the region. Directional and speed shear were impressive with 70-80 knots of Effective Bulk Shear present and 0-1 km Storm Relative Helicity values between 500-600 m2/s2, all more than enough for organized thunderstorms across the area. Discrete supercells started to develop across the Lower Mississippi Valley during the afternoon hours on March 31, 2023, eventually tracking into the Mid-South by late afternoon. The first supercell that developed in the Mid-South produced an EF-3 that caused major damage in Wynne, Arkansas. Tornadic supercells continued to produce significant tornado damage across the Mid-South into the early morning hours of April 1, 2023. The hardest hit areas besides Wynne, Arkansas included Covington, Tennessee, and McNairy County, Tennessee. Overall, 14 tornadoes occurred across the Mid-South along with several reports of wind damage and measured damaging wind speeds. Eighteen people in the Mid-South lost their lives in this outbreak.
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 Memphis, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 31, 5:26 PM CST, 1 hour earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
626 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
...New AVIATION...
.SYNOPSIS...
Issued at 315 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
A Severe Weather Outbreak is imminent this afternoon and evening.
A rare High Risk has been issued for southwest portions of the
Mid-South including the Memphis, Tennessee and Oxford,
Mississippi metros, with a Moderate Risk across the rest of the
Memphis Forecast Area. Damaging winds and several tornadoes remain
the highest threats, including a couple of strong and long-
tracked tornadoes possible. Secondary threats include large hail
and heavy rainfall. The threat for severe weather will end within
a couple of hours after midnight with a brief reprieve from
severe weather for the weekend. Wet, warm, and unsettled weather
will move into the region on Monday and persist through much of
next week. Severe weather chances remain in play for the Tuesday
to Wednesday timeframe.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
(This evening through next Thursday)
Issued at 315 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
A Severe Weather Outbreak is still on track for this afternoon
and evening across the Mid-South. Little Rock, Arkansas has
already had at least one strong and damaging tornado move through
their city. The cell that produced that tornado is on a northeast
track towards Cross and Poinsett Counties in eastern Arkansas and
may intensify as it moves into our area.
Severe weather ingredients remain healthy along and west of the
Mississippi River with a less unstable environment further east.
However, the airmass is still continuing to modify ahead of the
main trough and will likely become just as unstable over the next
couple of hours.
A secondary marine front was analyzed along a northwest
to southeast line from Jonesboro, Arkansas to Holly Springs,
Mississippi and back through Tupelo, Mississippi. Dewpoints are in
the mid to upper 60s south of the front with low 60 dewpoints
north of the front. The latest Mesoanalysis places 2000 J/kg
SBCAPE in our southwest counties with a gradient of 1000 J/kg near
Memphis and down to 500 J/kg near Paris, TN. Additionally, the
entire forecast area is already in a highly sheared environment.
Any storms that move into our area will have the opportunity to
rotate and produce tornadoes, large hail, and heavy rainfall.
Another round of storms will arrive this evening just ahead of a
cold front. The environment will likely be a little bit less
unstable, but more highly sheared. Damaging winds and tornadoes
remain the highest threats as it moves across the area. The storms
may congeal into a line of storms as they move into northeast
Mississippi later this evening. That threat would include damaging
winds and embedded tornadoes. The threat for severe weather
should end within a couple of hours after midnight.
High pressure will build into the region for Saturday and winds
will remain elevated. Sunday looks to be a nice day with
temperatures in the 70s and light winds and low humidity.
Wet, humid, and unsettled weather will set up across the region on
Monday and persist through at least late week. Dewpoints will
climb into the mid to upper 60s as temperatures climb into the
lower 80s early next week. There remains a risk for severe weather
Tuesday into the Wednesday timeframe.
AC3
&&
.AVIATION...(00Z TAFS) Issued at 620 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023
A round of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to impact
MEM and MKL over the next hour or two. Strong damaging wind is
possible along with brief IFR vis. Hail and a tornado at least in
the vicinity is also a possibility.
Before and after thunderstorms strong south to southwest gradient
wind is likely between 25 and 45mph with gusts to 45 mph. Winds
will shift west and then northwest behind a cold front later
tonight.
VFR conditions will prevail at all sites tomorrow along with
northwest wind 10-15kt.
30/Sirmon
&&
.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Saturday for ARZ009-018-026>028-035-
036-048-049-058.
MO...Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Saturday for MOZ113-115.
MS...Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Saturday for MSZ001>017-020>024.
TN...Wind Advisory until 1 AM CDT Saturday for TNZ001>004-019>022-
048>055-088>092.
&&
PUBLIC FORECAST...JDS
AVIATION...ARSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
633 PM CDT FRI MAR 31 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0628 PM TORNADO BROWNSVILLE 35.59N 89.25W
03/31/2023 HAYWOOD TN EMERGENCY MNGR
A ROOF WAS BLOWN OFF A TRAILER ON PEPPER
LANE IN BROWNSVILLE. SOME DEBRIS IS ON THE
ROAD AND IN THE TREES.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
637 PM CDT FRI MAR 31 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0615 PM TORNADO 3 S COVINGTON 35.52N 89.65W
03/31/2023 TIPTON TN AMATEUR RADIO
ROOF DAMAGE AND WINDOWS BLOWN OUT AT
CHEVROLET DEALARSHIP ON HIGHWAY 51 SOUTH OF
DOWNTOWN COVINGTON.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
642 PM CDT FRI MAR 31 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0628 PM TORNADO 4W BROWNSVILLE 35.59N 89.25W
03/31/2023 HAYWOOD TN EMERGENCY MNGR
CORRECTS PREVIOUS TORNADO REPORT FROM
BROWNSVILLE. A ROOF WAS BLOWN OFF A TRAILER
ON PEPPER LANE IN BROWNSVILLE. SOME DEBRIS
IS ON THE ROAD AND IN THE TREES.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
649 PM CDT FRI MAR 31 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0630 PM TORNADO 3 W BROWNSVILLE 35.59N 89.31W
03/31/2023 HAYWOOD TN AMATEUR RADIO
ONE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED AND SEVERAL HOMES
WERE DAMAGED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF FULTON
ROAD AND EVINS ROAD WEST OF BROWNSVILLE.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
707 PM CDT FRI MAR 31 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0615 PM TORNADO COVINGTON 35.57N 89.65W
03/31/2023 TIPTON TN LAW ENFORCEMENT
THE COVINGTON HOSPITAL HAS BEEN DAMAGED WITH
PATIENTS BEING REROUTED TO LAUDERDALE
COUNTY.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN
709 PM CDT FRI MAR 31 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0659 PM TORNADO 2 E MARVELL 34.56N 90.88W
03/31/2023 PHILLIPS AR TRAINED SPOTTER
SPOTTER REPORT OF A TORNADO.
&&The Memphis radar (KNQA), 87 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 00:23 UTC.
10 thunderstorm wind, 6 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.
Straight-line winds snapped trees in a swath from near the Mississippi River at Mhoon Landing Parkway across Highway 61 to Kirby Road. The tops of two power poles were removed or tilted.
A tornado formed just northeast of the Tunica airport and tracked northeast through rural Tunica and Desoto counties. A large number of homes and a church a few miles northeast of the airport suffered roof damage. Several sheds were displaced and destroyed. There was consistent damage for over 20 miles before lifting in DeSoto County, mainly snapped and uprooted trees. A few homes and mobile homes along Highway 3 south of Arkabutla Dam Road had shingles removed or portions of the metal roofing lifted. There were a number of trees snapped and uprooted along Highway 3 and in a wooded area along Woffolk Road. Several power poles were snapped and numerous trees along Arkabutla Dam Road near the Desoto County line. The roof was removed from a garage/carport. A couple of other nearby homes received roof damage. The tornado then moved into DeSoto County. Peak winds in Tunica County were estimated at 110 mph.
Straight line winds ripped shingles off a small church and nearby home.
Straight-line winds blew a couple of silos over. One was destroyed.
This tornado moved from Tunica County into DeSoto County. Near Cub Lake and Koko Reef Lake communities, there was widespread tree damage, where numerous homes were damaged or destroyed by falling trees. Tree damage in the area was extensive. Near West Oak Grove and Highway 301 South, there was significant tree damage, with a concentrated section of snapped trees. A small area of EF2 damage was found north of West Commerce Street between Baldwin and Fogg Roads. Shingles were removed from several houses and mobile homes. The tornado path continued northeast before dissipating in a wooded area southwest of Nesbit. A total of 47 homes suffered damage in DeSoto County with about 10 homes destroyed. Peak winds in DeSoto County were estimated at 130 mph.
Straight-line winds removed a portion of the roof from a shed. A few large limbs snapped.
Dozens of trees downed and an outdoor storage structure destroyed.
NWS meteorologists determined an EF-1 tornado touched down in northern Marshall County on the evening of March 31st. The first evidence of tree damage occurred near Anderson Lane west of Highway 311. The tornado continued to the northeast and crossed Highway 311 where hardwood trees were snapped. Additional hardwood tree damage was noted on Hogan Road and South Slayden Road. The tornado crossed Highway 72 with hardwood trees snapped on both sides of the highway. A single-family residence on Kennedy Road sustained roof damage with hardwood trees uprooted on the property. The last evidence of damage was on Early Grove Road where a few trees were uprooted. The tornado dissipated in a field to the northeast of this location. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.
Straight-line winds uprooted trees on Taska Road.
Straight-line winds uprooted trees on CF Bryan Road.
A tornado touched down in eastern Union County. Damage first began along County Road 183 in Union County, with a couple of trees down. After crossing Highway 9, the tornado moved into Lee County along County Road 2700, where more significant tree damage was observed, earning an EF1 rating. The tornado then moved into Lee County. Peak winds in Union County were estimated at 90 mph.
Straight-line winds uprooted trees on County Road 183.
This tornado crossed from Union County into Lee County along County Road 2700 around 12:00 a.m. CST on April 1. A poorly anchored home sustained roof removal and collapse of several walls, consistent with a high-end EF1 rating. A church had significant roof damage along County Road 231, and other structures were damaged along County Roads 341 and 2726. In particular, a mobile home/camper trailer was flipped and destroyed in this area. The intensity of the damage picked up along County Road 417, where a vacant double-wide mobile home was swept away and a couple of other homes sustained minor damage. Tree damage here was significant as well. The tornado attained EF2 intensity along County Road 503, where a two-story brick home sustained major roof loss, which began with the uplift of the front porch awning. An adjacent 32x32 two-story garage was swept completely away and destroyed, although it appeared to be poorly anchored. Along County Road 601, another home had total roof loss and several walls collapsed, and extensive tree damage was observed across the road. Further eastward along County Road 601, another home was damaged, and several cedar trees were snapped, consistent with an EF1 rating. Another area of heavier tree damage occurred along County Road 2788 at Highway 45. In addition, the sign at the entrance to an industrial park was damaged. Along Pratts Road, a church and a shop building were damaged, and a few more homes were damaged along the north side of Pratts Road. The tornado weakened significantly after this point, with only lighter, more sporadic tree damage. A couple more homes sustained minor roof damage along Cemetery Road and Highway 370 before the tornado dissipated after crossing County Road 2890. Peak estimated winds in Lee County were 120 mph. Note that part of this tornado occurred after 12:00 am CST on April 1 and much of that data is included in April's Storm Data. The complete narrative for Lee County is included in both March Storm Data and April Storm Data.
Several trees were uprooted in the Corrona area north of the tornado track.
Straight-line winds uprooted trees near the intersection of County Road 231 and County Road 331.
A storm survey of Pontotoc County confirmed an EF-2 tornado moved across the area around 12:00 a.m. CST on April 1. The tornado began in far western Pontotoc County, around Antioch Road, with a few trees downed and tree limbs snapped. Along Highway 9 and Houpt Road, tree damage became more significant, and a few homes and outbuildings sustained damage. A brick home on Highway 9 sustained heavy damage to the front side, mostly caused by a large uprooted tree. Damage in this area was rated EF-1. Weaker damage continued south of the Springville community before|another area of EF-1 damage was noted along Highway 341 at Foster Lane. Here a brick home sustained significant roof loss, caused partially by the uplift of an open-air carport. A few other homes had roof damage as the tornado continued to the south side of Pontotoc. A swath of more intense damage ran from Highway 15 across Highway 41 and East 10th Street, with numerous homes sustaining considerable damage. The tornado reached EF-2 intensity in this area, based on a double-wide mobile home being swept away, two brick homes having significant roof loss, and a large anchored garage being destroyed. Bolted footings that remained in place were observed in the garage. Damage to other homes in the area was rated EF-1, and many trees were uprooted, with a good number of snaps as well. Significant tree damage, along with minor structural damage, continued across Horseshoe Bend, Hall Road, and New Hope Road, maintaining EF-1 intensity. After briefly weakening near Highway 278, the tornado encountered the College Hill Lane neighborhood along Old Highway 6. Here, more significant damage was observed to structures and trees, mostly pines. A site-built home lost part of its roof, and a neighboring double-wide was swept away and scattered south and east, resulting in a fatality. Additionally, other homes sustained minor damage, and a small barber shop building was rolled and destroyed. Damage continued in the EF-0 range from Faulkner Road to near the Lee County line, |with several more homes being damaged and numerous trees being uprooted. The more severe home damage in this area appeared to be a combination of tree failure or uplift of garages/carports, thus the rating was kept at high-end EF-0. At Country Oaks Circle, a church sign and cemetery sign were blown down, and several headstones in the cemetery sustained damage. The damage path appeared to end in a grove of trees just south of Old Highway 6, and no damage was observed on County Road 41 at the Pontotoc/Lee county line. Along the track, 12 homes were destroyed and 120 were damaged. Peak estimated winds in Pontotoc County were 120 mph. Note that part of this tornado occurred after 12:00 am CST on April 1 and much of that data is included in April's Storm Data. The complete narrative is included in both March Storm Data and April Storm Data.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado, Pontotoc | 2023-03-31 | 55 | Male | Mobile/Trailer Home | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Mississippi, 2023Warnings in Mississippi, March 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: 1092051, 1088603, 1092060, 1092058, 1088604, 1092053, 1091166, 1088599, 1092062, 1092063, 1089590, 1092205, 1089591, 1091136, 1092206, 1089588.