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.

Tornado in EAST CARROLL, LOUISIANA
From 18-APR-13 16:19:00 to 18-APR-13 16:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: SONDHEIMER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado started in an open field just west of US Highway 65, about 2 miles northwest of the Sondheimer community. As it crossed Highway 65 near the intersection with Henderson Loop Road, it destroyed a large farm outbuilding, downed a couple of power poles, and caused some minor damage to nearby structures. The tornado continued east northeast along the north side of Henderson Loop Road, and snapped a large tree and caused shingle damage to two homes near the intersection with Sand Field Road. The tornado then turned a bit more toward the north along that road, causing some minor tree damage before dissipating. Maximum sustained winds were estimated at 95 mph.

Tornado in MADISON, LOUISIANA
From 18-APR-13 16:23:00 to 18-APR-13 16:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: TALLULAH
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

This brief tornado touched down in an open field along and just to the north of Willow Bayou Road. A picture was taken as the tornado kicked up dust as it moved in an east northeastward direction. No damage occurred. Maximum sustained winds were estiamted at 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in MOREHOUSE, LOUISIANA
From 18-APR-13 14:15:00 to 18-APR-13 14:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: WARDVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tree was blown down on Bonner Ferry Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in EAST CARROLL, LOUISIANA
From 18-APR-13 15:52:00 to 18-APR-13 15:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLIKIN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several trees were blown down in the area. Some tin was taken off of a farm building as well.