A regional tornado outbreak occurred during the late afternoon of Friday, March 31, 2023, and continued into the early morning hours of Saturday, April 1, 2023.  This outbreak covered portions of the Ohio Valley, and the Middle and Lower Mississippi Valleys, including a good portion of the Mid-South and stretching into the Tennessee Valley. On Friday, March 31, a surface low was located near La Crosse, WI, with a cold front stretching south into central/southwest Missouri, western Arkansas, and eastern Texas.  Surface temperatures were mainly in the 70s to approaching 80 degrees with surface dewpoints in the lower to middle 60s, yielding Surface-Based CAPE (SBCAPE) values between 1500-2000 J/kg by Friday evening.  Favorable upper-level divergence produced by the right entrance region of a 140-kt jet streak at 300 mb provided ample lift to produce strong to severe thunderstorms across the region.  Directional and speed shear were impressive with 70-80 knots of Effective Bulk Shear present and 0-1 km Storm Relative Helicity values between 500-600 m2/s2, all more than enough for organized thunderstorms across the area. Discrete supercells started to develop across the Lower Mississippi Valley during the afternoon hours on March 31, 2023, eventually tracking into the Mid-South by late afternoon. The first supercell that developed in the Mid-South produced an EF-3 that caused major damage in Wynne, Arkansas. Tornadic supercells continued to produce significant tornado damage across the Mid-South into the early morning hours of April 1, 2023. The hardest hit areas besides Wynne, Arkansas included Covington, Tennessee, and McNairy County, Tennessee. Overall, 14 tornadoes occurred across the Mid-South along with several reports of wind damage and measured damaging wind speeds. Eighteen people in the Mid-South lost their lives in this outbreak.

Tornado in CROSS, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 15:30:00 to 31-MAR-23 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC MANUS
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 150.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS meteorologists determined an EF-3 tornado touched down in western Cross County at 431 PM CDT on March 31 on County Road 537, just south of Highway 284. The tornado tracked to the east-northeast towards Wynne, AR where it crossed Highway 284 multiple times. EF-2 damage was observed north of Ellis Chapel and McElroy. Just east northeast of McElroy, significant EF-2 damage to the sewage treatment plant was noted where an 80-yard-long shed with a sturdy roofing structure of metal failed and became lofted. The roofing wadded up and destroyed two cinder block buildings before landing 100 yards away. The tornado strengthened to an EF-3 as it moved into the western section of Wynne, AR. The tornado then ravaged the center of Wynne, including the Wynne High School. Several one and two-family residences in Wynne were partially to completely destroyed. The tornado weakened as it moved away from Wynne and traveled to the north of Parkin, AR where EF-2 damage was observed. The tornado then crossed into Crittenden County. Peak winds in Cross County were estimated at 150 mph.

Tornado in CRITTENDEN, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 16:05:00 to 31-MAR-23 16:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLOAR
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado that caused EF-3 damage in Wynne, Arkansas moved into Crittenden County just north of Earle causing EF-2 damage along Watson Road. Between Earle, AR, and the Mississippi River, very few damage indicators aided in the observed strength as it traversed mostly farmland.  There were between 20 to 30 center pivot irrigation systems that were overturned along this area. The tornado then tracked into the oxbows of the Mississippi River while crossing into Tipton County. Peak winds were estimated at 125 mph in Crittenden County.

Tornado in MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 16:34:00 to 31-MAR-23 16:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST THOMAS
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado that tracked through Wynne, Arkansas eventually moved from through the oxbows of the Mississippi River crossing between Tennessee and Arkansas a couple of times. Significant tree damage along the Mississippi River occurred. As the tornado passed over Corna Lake in Tipton County (the west side of the Mississippi River) and extreme southern Mississippi County, EF- 3 damage was observed. The tornado then crossed the Mississippi River into Tipton County, Tennessee. Peak winds were estimated at 145 mph in Mississippi County.

Thunderstorm Wind in CROSS, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 16:01:00 to 31-MAR-23 16:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRINCEDALE
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station UP525 located 5.9 miles west of Parkin, AR reported a 64 mph wind gust.

Tornado in CRITTENDEN, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 16:28:00 to 31-MAR-23 16:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAMBETHVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado that tracked through Wynne, Arkansas eventually moved from through the oxbows of the Mississippi River crossing between Tennessee and Arkansas a couple of times. Significant tree damage along the Mississippi River occurred.

Thunderstorm Wind in MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 16:34:00 to 31-MAR-23 16:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSCEOLA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Power poles were broken at the intersection of Highway 61 and Highway 325.

Thunderstorm Wind in MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 16:30:00 to 31-MAR-23 16:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRENCHMANS BAYOU
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Straight-line winds snapped hardwood trees on West County Road 1246 in southern Mississippi County.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 19:57:00 to 31-MAR-23 20:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCOTT VLY
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Straight-line winds punched in a grain silo on Highway 1 South about five miles south of Marianna.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHILLIPS, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 18:05:00 to 31-MAR-23 18:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXA
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Straight-line winds damaged an outbuilding on Highway 242. A mobile home was pushed off block piers and two homes suffered roof damage along Highway 242.

Tornado in PHILLIPS, ARKANSAS
From 31-MAR-23 18:03:00 to 31-MAR-23 18:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDGEWOOD
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A funnel cloud that moved over much of Phillips County touched down as a tornado briefly northwest of Lexa as it crossed Highway 1. An emergency manager along with several public spotters observed the tornado briefly touching down over open fields. No damage indicators were found and thus the tornado is rated as an EF-U. Nearby reports of damage were from straight-line winds that were associated with the same storm's rearflank downdraft. A special thanks goes out to Phillips County Emergency Management for their assistance during this survey.