A very warm and unstable air mass developed across the region on January 20th.  This air mass was accompanied by unusually high dewpoint values for late January with ambient temperatures approaching the 70 degree mark.  A very strong and vigorous storm system moved out of the Great Basin and into the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley during the late afternoon and evening hours of January 20th.  Wind shear throughout the atmosphere was very strong and supportive of strong to severe thunderstorms.  Low level wind shear was significant enough such that super cell thunderstorms developed across the region, producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging wind gusts.  In addition to the severe thunderstorms, some storms produced flash flooding as they continued to train across the same general areas, especially across portions of northwest Louisiana and southwest Arkansas.

Tornado in NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 17:48:00 to 20-JAN-10 18:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAGEWOOD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several large trees were toppled and uprooted while many other trees had their tops snapped off. Several large branches were broken off of other trees in the path as well.

Hail in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 17:58:00 to 20-JAN-10 17:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLANCHARD
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 17:55:00 to 20-JAN-10 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: JEWELLA
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail reported at the intersection of Hwy. 173 and Hwy. 1.

Hail in WINN, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 19:05:00 to 20-JAN-10 19:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODSON
Magnitude: 4.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in BOSSIER, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 18:10:00 to 20-JAN-10 18:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 18:07:00 to 20-JAN-10 18:07:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLANCHARD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail was reported at Northwood High School.

Hail in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 17:50:00 to 20-JAN-10 17:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOORINGSPORT
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Lightning in LINCOLN, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 20:10:00 to 20-JAN-10 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: SIMSBORO
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lightning struck an oil well site in the northwest part of Lincoln Parish which sparked a large fire that shot flames at least 70 feet into the air.  The oil well site is northwest of the community of Simsboro, Louisiana on McCullen Road, near La. 563 and White Lightning Highway near the Lincoln, Claiborne Parish line.

Hail in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 17:58:00 to 20-JAN-10 17:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: JEWELLA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail was reported at the intersection of Hwy. 1 and Hwy. 71.

Hail in OUACHITA, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 20:10:00 to 20-JAN-10 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKESHORE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail covered the ground on Cypress School Road.

Hail in CALDWELL, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 19:49:00 to 20-JAN-10 19:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIXEN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Tornado in CADDO, LOUISIANA
From 20-JAN-10 17:38:00 to 20-JAN-10 17:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: LORRAINE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado was a continuation of the Harrison County tornado that produced EF3 damage across portions of Waskom, Texas.  The tornado weakened significantly as it cross the Texas/Louisiana line and moved into Caddo Parish. A weakened tornado continued east crossing Greenwood Mooringsport road where several trees were uprooted and continued east over portions of western Cross Lake before lifting southwest of Blanchard. Maximum winds are estimated at 150-160 mph at the tornadoes strongest point.