December 10, 2021, was unseasonably warm over the region. Temperatures broke several long-standing records. Memphis hit 80��F which broke a 103-year-old high-temperature record.
A strong upper-level trough was approaching from the west, providing strong lift within the unseasonably warm and unstable air mass.  MLCAPE reached the 1500-2000 J/kg range by 6 PM. The wind field was impressive with plenty of vertical wind shear needed for organized thunderstorms. Effective 0-1 km storm-relative helicity values ranged from 300-400 m2/s2 with effective bulk shear values of 70 knots - more than sufficient to support discrete supercells in the warm sector ahead of the cold front.
The first supercell developed in central Arkansas and tracked into northeast Arkansas producing a few weak tornadoes initially before intensifying across eastern Craighead and Mississippi Counties and killing two people. The tornado eventually strengthened into an EF-4 while moving through the Missouri Bootheel, resulting in 2 direct and one indirect fatality in Pemiscot County. The tornado then tracked across the Mississippi River into northwest Tennessee, producing an additional 4 fatalities near Reelfoot Lake. This tornado lifted for a brief time in Obion County, reorganized, and then moved into Kentucky. All told, the mesocyclone tracked for over 300 miles and was producing tornadoes for over 250 miles. This storm was responsible for at least 9 fatalities and many injuries in the NWS Memphis CWA along with millions of dollars of damage.
As the initial supercell was crossing the state line into Kentucky, a string of supercells was moving into eastern Arkansas. A few brief tornadoes produced minor damage near Cash in western Craighead County and in the Fisher area of western Poinsett County. As the dominant supercell moved into eastern Poinsett County, the mesocyclone quickly intensified and the storm produced an EF-2 tornado in Trumann with several injuries and widespread damage.
A new supercell developed in Mississippi County causing straight-line wind damage initially. This supercell intensified as it crossed the Mississippi River and produced another long-track tornado starting in Dyer County,  Tennessee. This tornado tracked east-northeast across northwest Tennessee into Henry County, and eventually into Kentucky. This tornado was rated EF-3 and resulted in several injuries with Kenton and Dresden, Tennessee being the hardest hit.
The convection eventually evolved into a QLCS as it moved east. A mesovortex developed south of I-40 near Jackson that resulted in 3 tornadoes across eastern Madison, Henderson, and Decatur Counties including an EF-2. Non-tornadic storms moved across the Memphis metropolitan area, producing straight-line wind damage as a mesovortex moved through the city. A fatality was reported in Shelby County after a large tree fell on a home in South Memphis. Later that night, an EF-1 tornado occurred in Prentiss County before the severe weather threat began to wind down around 6 AM on December 11, 2021.
In total, there were 18 tornadoes across the NWS Memphis CWA.  Along with tornadoes, several incidents of wind damage and minor flash flooding also occurred.

Tornado in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 20:30:00 to 10-DEC-21 20:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: DRYDEN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A tornado touched down northeast of Cash, snapping 12 power poles and damaging a barn. Peak winds were estimated to be 105 mph.

Tornado in POINSETT, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 18:40:00 to 10-DEC-21 18:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEINER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A brief tornado damaged trees southwest of Weiner. A tree fell against a house in Weiner. Peak winds were estimated at 65 mph.

Tornado in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 19:03:00 to 10-DEC-21 19:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: BAY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A brief tornado caused minor damage to trees and storage buildings just west of Interstate 555, west of Bay. Peak winds were estimated to be 65 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 21:53:00 to 10-DEC-21 22:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: COTTONWOOD CORNER
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Powerful straight-line winds destroyed a mobile home on Cottonwood Corner Road west of Osceola. Several power lines were knocked down in Osceola. Trucks were overturned west of Osceola and a truck was blown off I-55. Power lines were knocked down in Luxora.

Thunderstorm Wind in MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 22:05:00 to 10-DEC-21 22:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARMOREL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Outbuildings were damaged east of Blytheville.

Tornado in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 19:07:00 to 10-DEC-21 19:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEEDHAM
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 2.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado produced its first damage north of Bay, damaging storage and outbuildings. The tornado gradually strengthened and destroyed a farm tractor storage building along Highway 135 northwest of Lake City. The tornado possibly weakened slightly as it crossed the St. Francis River area, but re-strengthened as it approached Monette. Northern and northwestern portions of Monette suffered significant damage. Homes and retail facilities had their roofs partially or completely removed, and the roof of a nursing home partially collapsed. One fatality and at least 5 injuries occurred in the nursing home. After leaving Monette the tornado crossed into Mississippi County. Peak winds were estimated at 145 mph in Craighead County.

Tornado in POINSETT, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 20:45:00 to 10-DEC-21 20:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: MIDDLEBROOK
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Several outbuildings damaged and some damage to home and trees. Tornado started and ended in open fields. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.

Tornado in POINSETT, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 20:51:00 to 10-DEC-21 20:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEINER MUNI ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado destroyed an outbuilding. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.

Tornado in CRAIGHEAD, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 18:57:00 to 10-DEC-21 19:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: CARY
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado developed near the Poinsett/Craighead County line and damaged trees along County Road 452. The tornado damaged a large rice facility along Highway 1, and destroyed a storage building near County Road 406.  The tornado dissipated as it approached Highway 158. Peak winds were estimated at 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in POINSETT, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 21:12:00 to 10-DEC-21 21:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRUMANN
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Straight-line winds caused roof damage to a business south of the EF-2 tornado track in Trumann.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRITTENDEN, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 23:56:00 to 11-DEC-21 00:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOUND CITY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Seventeen train cars were derailed near the West Memphis-Marion border off of Mound City Road.

Tornado in POINSETT, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 21:11:00 to 10-DEC-21 21:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRUMANN
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 6.30M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Tornado developed just southwest of Trumann and destroyed about 70 homes and damaged another 100 homes. Several businesses were damaged or destroyed. There was also widespread tree damage.  The fire station was also heavily damaged. The worst damage was in the northeast part of Trumann with businesses and homes destroyed.  Tornado path ended near the St. Francis River. Peak winds were estimated at 130 mph.

Tornado in MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS
From 10-DEC-21 19:27:00 to 10-DEC-21 19:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEACHVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 1.25M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

After crossing from Craighead County into Mississippi County the tornado struck the northern portions of Leachville, in northwestern Mississippi County. Several homes suffered partial or complete roof loss in northwestern Leachville. A restaurant, store, and cotton gin suffered considerable damage along Highway 77, and numerous power poles were snapped. A fatality occurred in the store. Anchors to the store's metal frame were pulled out of the concrete foundation. The tornado's path was estimated at nearly a mile wide in this area. The tornado approached the Little River area south of Hornersville, near the Arkansas/Missouri state line.  A stand of trees was debarked east of Arkansas County Road 243. Several homes and mobile homes were heavily damaged or destroyed along State Line Road.  Additional debarking of trees was noted. The tornado then crossed into Dunklin County, Missouri. Peak winds in Mississippi County were estimated at 145 mph.