A strong low pressure trough translated from the southwestern United States into the Southern Plains on November 30th and December 1st. Warm and moist air had spread northward into northwestern Arkansas ahead of this system. Atmospheric instability became moderately strong during the afternoon and evening hours to the east of a cold front that was over western Oklahoma, and south of a stationary front that was located across northern Oklahoma into southern Missouri. As the strong storm system moved into the Southern Plains on the 30th, wind fields throughout the atmosphere increased substantially, which resulted in very strong deep-layer and low-level wind shear across northwestern Arkansas during the evening and overnight hours.
Thunderstorms developed during the evening hours of the 30th across central and eastern Oklahoma, and moved northeast across northwestern Arkansas during the late evening and overnight hours. Moderately strong atmospheric instability across the area combined with very strong wind shear to produce organized severe thunderstorms. A squall line moved rapidly across the area ahead of the surging cold front and produced several tornadoes and damaging wind gusts in northwest Arkansas.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 22:49:00 to 30-NOV-18 22:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: SILOAM SPGS ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The surface observation system at Smith Field in Siloam Springs measured 58 mph thunderstorm wind gusts.

Tornado in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:09:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: VAN BUREN
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado developed north of I-40 and just west of Lee Creek Road where homes sustained minor roof damage, trees were uprooted, and the roofs of several apartment complexes were damaged. The tornado moved northeast across Rena Road, damaging numerous homes, some severely, snapping three large wooden utility structures, and snapping and uprooting numerous trees. The tornado then crossed Uniontown Road and Fayetteville Road near Rena, and dissipated as it approached N Rudy Road. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 110 to 120 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:15:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVANSVILLE
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong thunderstorm wind damaged the roofs of poultry houses and blew down trees in Evansville.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:18:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEAN SPG
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted trees south of the tornado.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:49:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITENER
Magnitude: 83.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Strong thunderstorm wind produced a swath of damage at least three miles wide from southwest of Hindsville to northeast of Clifty. Within this swath of damage, numerous homes were damaged, a mobile home was destroyed, businesses were damaged, outbuildings were destroyed, and numerous trees and power poles were snapped.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:41:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:41:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELKINS
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted trees, and damaged the roofs of homes and outbuildings.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:19:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALMA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted trees and damaged the roofs of homes.

Tornado in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:17:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUDY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado developed just north of Rudy, where trees were uprooted on Whitson Drive to the west of Highway 282. The tornado moved east-northeast uprooting more trees and destroying barns along Highway 282. Trees were uprooted as the tornado crossed Peach Drive, with extensive tree damage as it approached I-49 on Cozy Cove and Lancaster Road. Trees were uprooted on Gregory Chapel Road. Extensive tree and power pole damage occurred along Highway 71 near Winn Mountain Road and Cain Road. The tornado dissipated after crossing Old Turner Road, to the south of Highway 348, where barns were destroyed and trees were uprooted. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 90 to 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:10:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: MARROW
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down trees, and damaged the roofs of homes and outbuildings.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:56:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEA RIDGE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:10:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: FT SMITH
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:45:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: OZARK
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:46:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEBB CITY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind damaged the roofs of five homes and uprooted trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:30:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST FORK
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong thunderstorm wind destroyed an outbuilding and snapped large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 30-NOV-18 23:22:00 to 30-NOV-18 23:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAVACA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted trees.