A strong upper level low pressure system emerged out across the Southern Plains during the morning and afternoon hours of January 21st. Ahead of this system, unseasonably warm, humid, and unstable air spread northward across much of the Ark-La-Tex from the Gulf of Mexico in advance of this system and associated Pacific cold front. A surface low pressure system also developed along the advancing cold front, with low level winds backing more southeast ahead of the upper level low. Coupled with strong wind shear and instability, scattered severe supercell thunderstorms rapidly developed during the mid and late afternoon hours across portions of extreme Eastern Texas, Southern Arkansas, and Northern Louisiana. The considerable wind shear contributed to rotating updrafts, such that twelve tornadoes touched down across the aforementioned areas. Instances of large hail was also reported with these supercells, given the very cold temperatures aloft. These severe thunderstorms exited the region during the mid evening hours into the Ark-La-Miss region where additional tornadoes and instances of severe thunderstorm damage was reported.

Hail in UNION, ARKANSAS
From 21-JAN-17 20:20:00 to 21-JAN-17 20:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUTTIG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter size hail fell for several minutes in Huttig.

Tornado in UNION, ARKANSAS
From 21-JAN-17 19:38:00 to 21-JAN-17 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAWSON
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-0 tornado with maximum estimated winds between 75 and 80 mph touched down just south of Lawson Road in the Lawson community where peeled back a portion of a roof of a single wide mobile home with one portion of the wall detached. The tornado continued north across Lawson Road and over a heavily wooded area to Mount Zion Road where it snapped a few small trees. The tornado lifted shortly after crossing Mount Zion Road.

Hail in COLUMBIA, ARKANSAS
From 21-JAN-17 17:55:00 to 21-JAN-17 17:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCKY MOUND
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Golf ball size hail fell along Highway 160 east of Taylor.

Hail in COLUMBIA, ARKANSAS
From 21-JAN-17 18:05:00 to 21-JAN-17 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAYLOR
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A photo of tennis ball size hail that fell near Taylor was posted to the KTAL-TV Todd Warren Facebook page.

Hail in LAFAYETTE, ARKANSAS
From 21-JAN-17 18:30:00 to 21-JAN-17 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE ERLING
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A photo of ping pong ball size hail that fell in the Walker Creek community was posted to social media.

Tornado in UNION, ARKANSAS
From 21-JAN-17 19:04:00 to 21-JAN-17 19:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRULL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF-1 tornado with maximum estimated winds near 90 mph touched down along Shuler Road between Dry Creek Lane and Wolfie Road where several small pine trees were snapped. The tornado continued north northeast across a heavily wooded area before snapping large branches along Parnell Road, and later intensified as it reached Highway 82 and Guinn Road. Here, several large pine trees were uprooted and a tree fell against a portion of a home, damaging a small antenna tower. The tornado lifted shortly thereafter on Guinn Road.

Hail in HOWARD, ARKANSAS
From 21-JAN-17 19:10:00 to 21-JAN-17 19:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Quarter size hail fell north of Dierks.

Thunderstorm Wind in UNION, ARKANSAS
From 21-JAN-17 19:15:00 to 21-JAN-17 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWELL
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A carport collapsed on a car in the Parkers Chapel community southwest of El Dorado.

Hail in UNION, ARKANSAS
From 21-JAN-17 19:25:00 to 21-JAN-17 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: EL DORADO
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Dime to quarter size hail fell in El Dorado.