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 ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 18-APR-13 14:45:00 to 18-APR-13 14:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARKDALE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail fell along US Highway 165.

Hail in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 18-APR-13 15:15:00 to 18-APR-13 15:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHICOT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Golf ball size hail fell in Chicot Junction.

Thunderstorm Wind in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 18-APR-13 14:42:00 to 18-APR-13 14:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILMOT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

There was a report of a blown down tree in Wilmot.

Thunderstorm Wind in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 18-APR-13 14:13:00 to 18-APR-13 14:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOUTH CROSSETT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A tree was blown down onto a house along Sycamore Circle. Another tree was blown down on Cedar Street. Additional trees were blown down along Highway 82 near Crossett, and a tree was blown down on Highway 133 North.

Thunderstorm Wind in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 18-APR-13 14:21:00 to 18-APR-13 14:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A few trees were blown down on US Highway 425 near Hamburg.

Tornado in ASHLEY, ARKANSAS
From 18-APR-13 14:08:00 to 18-APR-13 14:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: CROSSETT
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado started along County Road 229 about six miles south of Crossett. It moved east-northeast to northeast, crossing Highway 133 near the intersection with County Road 5. Several large trees were downed across Highway 133 at this point. The tornado continued northeast, and reached its maximum intensity near the intersection of County Road 5E and County Road 4. Here a number of hardwood and softwood trees were snapped and uprooted. The tornado turned more north-northeast and appeared to dissipate as it was crossing Arkansas Trace Road about four miles southeast of Crossett. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 90 mph.

Tornado in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 18-APR-13 15:38:00 to 18-APR-13 15:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND LAKE
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 southeast of Eudora along US Highway 65. A picture was taken (by a trained spotter) as the tornado kicked up dust as it moved in an east northeastward direction. A condensation funnel was visible that had distinct rotation. No damage occurred. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHICOT, ARKANSAS
From 18-APR-13 15:20:00 to 18-APR-13 15:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: EUDORA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 7.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple trees were blown down all around Eudora.