Severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours of the 13th over central Oklahoma ahead of a cold front moving into the region. These storms moved into northwestern Arkansas during the evening. The storms produced damaging wind across much of northwestern Arkansas and one storm produced a tornado as it moved through Benton County.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 13-OCT-12 20:31:00 to 13-OCT-12 20:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEALING SPGS
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted several large hardwood trees and snapped large tree limbs.

Tornado in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 13-OCT-12 20:36:00 to 13-OCT-12 20:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: BENTONVILLE MUNI ARP
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado developed north-northeast of Cave Springs, east of Rainbow Road and south of Stony Brook Road. The tornado moved northeast across a subdivision snapping or uprooting a number of trees and damaging homes. About 450 yards wide, it then moved across a commercial area on the west side of Rogers where it removed part of the roof of a commercial building, blew large glass windows out of another commercial building, damaged a number of other buildings, snapped or uprooted a number of trees, and snapped power poles. Debris impacted a vehicle, impaling the windshield with a piece of 2x4 wood and shattering several of the windows. Two people were injured by glass and flying debris in the vehicle. Damage in this area indicated the wind speed in the tornado was as much as 90 to 100 mph.
The tornado then crossed I-540 and went across another subdivision of homes. Many trees were snapped or uprooted and homes were damaged. Tree damage became less concentrated for a bit after the tornado crossed Highway 94, but was intermittently still in the EF-1 category. Damage northeast of Avoca was once again very concentrated with a number of snapped or uprooted trees as well as home and barn damage. It dissipated in the southern portion of the Pea Ridge National Military Park.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 13-OCT-12 20:33:00 to 13-OCT-12 20:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAVE SPGS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped a number of large tree limbs and damaged a turkey house near and northeast of Cave Springs.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 13-OCT-12 20:46:00 to 13-OCT-12 20:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROGERS MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The observational system at the Rogers Airport measured 61 mph thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 13-OCT-12 21:35:00 to 13-OCT-12 21:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down several trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 13-OCT-12 21:40:00 to 13-OCT-12 21:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHARLESTON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Post Office

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 13-OCT-12 22:01:00 to 13-OCT-12 22:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: OZARK
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated to be at least 60 mph blew down large tree limbs.