Severe thunderstorms developed across portions of northwestern Arkansas during the evening of the 3rd, along and east of a stationary front that stretched across the area. The air mass across much of northwestern Arkansas became very unstable ahead of the storms, and wind shear across the region increased as an upper level disturbance approached from the west. These conditions supported the development of bowing line segments, which produced several tornadoes, and damaging wind gusts.

Tornado in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 20:41:00 to 03-MAY-21 20:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: VAN BUREN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the second segment of a four segment tornado. The tornado uprooted trees as it moved across this small portion of Crawford County, before crossing the Arkansas River and moving into Sebastian County. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 90 to 100 mph.

Tornado in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 21:06:00 to 03-MAY-21 21:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAPHIC
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado uprooted numerous trees, and blew down power poles. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in the tornado was 90 to 100 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 20:42:00 to 03-MAY-21 20:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: (FSM)FT SMITH MUNI A
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS at the Fort Smith Regional Airport measured 62 mph thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 20:53:00 to 03-MAY-21 20:53:00 (CST-6)
Location: (FSM)FT SMITH MUNI A
Magnitude: 64.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The ASOS at the Fort Smith Regional Airport measured 74 mph thunderstorm wind gusts.

Tornado in SEBASTIAN, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 20:42:00 to 03-MAY-21 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: FT SMITH
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the third segment of a four segment tornado. The tornado moved across the Arkansas River and into Sebastian County, uprooting numerous trees before moving across the northern portion of the City of Fort Smith. Numerous homes and businesses were damaged by this large tornado, numerous power poles were snapped, and many trees were uprooted before the tornado crossed the Arkansas River again, moving back into Crawford County. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 95 to 105 mph.

Tornado in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 20:45:00 to 03-MAY-21 20:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: STATTLER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the second segment of a two segment tornado. In Crawford County, this tornado uprooted trees and snapped power poles before dissipating just east of Ranch Road. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 90 to 100 mph.

Tornado in CRAWFORD, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 20:45:00 to 03-MAY-21 21:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: VAN BUREN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 15.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This is the fourth segment of a four segment tornado. After moving back into Crawford County, the tornado removed a large portion of the roof of the Crawford County Courthouse in Van Buren. Numerous homes and businesses were also damaged in Van Buren, and numerous power poles and trees were snapped by the tornado. This very large tornado then moved northeast across portions of Rudy and Alma, and then dissipated southeast of Mountainburg. Many trees were snapped or uprooted, outbuildings were destroyed, homes and businesses were damaged, and numerous power poles were snapped. Based on this damage, maximum estimated wind in this segment of the tornado was 100 to 110 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 21:16:00 to 03-MAY-21 21:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: OZARK
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs and blew down power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 21:16:00 to 03-MAY-21 21:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRING VLY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 21:50:00 to 03-MAY-21 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: BOSTON
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down several trees along County Road 4845, south of Boston.

Thunderstorm Wind in MADISON, ARKANSAS
From 03-MAY-21 21:57:00 to 03-MAY-21 21:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: KINGSTON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Strong thunderstorm wind damaged the roof of a barn, and snapped large tree limbs.