Gusty southerly winds blew for several days ahead of the cold front that pushed across the Arklamiss region during the afternoon and evening of April 18, 2013. The persistent feed of moist air from the Gulf produced a warm and humid air mass that resulted in afternoon temperatures well above normal, topping out in the 80s across the forecast area Thursday afternoon. Warmer air aloft produced an atmospheric cap that prohibited thunderstorm development well ahead of the front. As a result, a squall line of severe convection developed in the vicinity of the cold front and moved across the Delta region. Much of the damage associated with the squall line was produced by two intense severe storms. The first storm moved across Ashley and Chicot Counties in southeast Arkansas during mid afternoon before tracking across Washington County in northwest Mississippi. The first storm produced an EF-1 tornado near Crossett, AR. The second storm moved across northeast Louisiana into the Mississippi Delta region, producing an EF-1 tornado near Sondheimer, Louisiana and another tornado in Nitta Yuma, Mississippi. In addition to tornadoes, severe storms along the squall line downed trees and power lines and produced golf ball sized hail.
The squall line began to weaken as it continued across the Mississippi Delta, pulling away from the associated low pressure system and moving into a region where the air mass was more stable. Storms that remained in the remnants of the line progressed to the east, briefly strengthening as they crossed northeast Mississippi. Sporadic down burst winds continued, bringing down trees and power lines near Yazoo City and at Sturgis in Oktibbeha County.

Hail in WASHINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-APR-13 15:32:00 to 18-APR-13 15:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: REFUGE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

One inch hail fell near the Mississippi River bridge.

Tornado in ISSAQUENA, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-APR-13 16:03:00 to 18-APR-13 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAYERSVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This brief tornado touched down near Levee Road uprooting a large tree. The tornado continued across Hopedale Road where a large farm pivot was overturned and some large limbs and branches were snapped. Maximum sustained winds were estimated at 90 mph.

Tornado in WASHINGTON, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-APR-13 16:09:00 to 18-APR-13 16:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRIBBETT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

This tornado was photographed in an open field near the Tribbett community. It remained over rural areas and caused no damage. Maximum sustained winds were estimated at 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in ISSAQUENA, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-APR-13 16:15:00 to 18-APR-13 16:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRACE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Post Office

A few power lines and tree limbs were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in YAZOO, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-APR-13 17:35:00 to 18-APR-13 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: YAZOO CITY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

One tree was blown down on Highland Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind in OKTIBBEHA, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-APR-13 20:00:00 to 18-APR-13 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: STURGIS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered trees were blown onto power lines around Sturgis.

Tornado in SHARKEY, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-APR-13 16:21:00 to 18-APR-13 16:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: NITTA YUMA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

This brief tornado touched down in an open field west northwest of Nitta Yuma and tracked east northeastward. It crossed U.S. Highway 61 between the Nitta Yuma community and MS Highway 434. The tornado was captured on video as it crossed the highway. No damage occurred. Maximum winds were estimated at 75 mph.

Tornado in SHARKEY, MISSISSIPPI
From 18-APR-13 16:29:00 to 18-APR-13 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: AUTER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This brief tornado touched on Delta City Road, snapping a large tree and causing some minor shingle damage to a home. Maximum winds were estimated at 75 mph.