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Tornado outbreak of March 24–27, 2023

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Tornado outbreak of March 24–25, 2023
GOES-16 satellite image of the storm system responsible for the tornado outbreak across the Southern United States at 14:06 UTC (9:06 a.m. CDT) on March 25
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Tornado outbreak
DurationMarch 24, 2023 – March 25, 2023
Highest winds
Lowest pressure989[1] mb (29.21 inHg)
Tornadoes
confirmed		8+
Max. rating1EF2 tornado
Largest hail2.7 in (6.8 cm) in Wheeler, Mississippi, on March 24
Fatalities≥25 fatalities (+2 non-tornadic)[3][4]
Power outages≥55,000[2]
Areas affectedSouthern United States

1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale

On March 24, 2023, a deadly severe weather and tornado outbreak affected portions of the lower Mississippi River Valley in the United States. An eastward-moving trough interacted with a moist and unstable environment from the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in widespread heavy rainfall and severe storms. Notably, a significant tornado of at least EF2 strength took a path through the towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City in the state of Mississippi, causing catastrophic damage and many fatalities. Multiple tornado emergencies were issued for that tornado and another near Amory.[5] Damaging winds, embedded tornadoes, and flash flooding also occurred throughout the region as an organized line of storms moved eastward across Tennessee and Alabama. More severe weather and tornadoes were reported the next day in Alabama, Georgia, the Florida panhandle, and Ohio.

Meteorological synopsis

On March 18, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) first advertised the potential for organized severe weather across the Southern Plains in advance of an upper-level trough across the Western United States.[6] Additional risk areas were issued to the east in later outlooks, concurrent with the eastward-moving trough.[7] By March 23, a level 2/Slight risk was hoisted from Texas northeastward into Missouri, primarily for the threat of large hail.[8] Scattered reports of large hail and damaging wind gusts were received from Texas across into the Mid-Atlantic states.[9] In addition, two EF1 tornadoes occurred in Parker County, Texas.[10] Farther to the east across the lower Mississippi River Valley, a more substantial threat for severe weather unfolded. On March 22, the SPC issued a level 3/Enhanced risk of severe weather across portions of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi, for supercell thunderstorms capable of large hail, damaging winds, and strong (EF2+) tornadoes.[11] The Enhanced risk was expanded northward the following day, and the original outlined area was upgraded to a level 4/Moderate risk.[12]

The Storm Prediction Center's Severe Weather Outlook for March 24, 2023

On the morning of March 24, water vapor imagery depicted a potent mid-level trough over northern portions of the Baja California peninsula. The trough was expected to move quickly eastward, accompanied by strong mid-level winds between the trough and strong high-pressure area across the Southeastern United States. Meanwhile, a rapidly deepening low-pressure area was expected to drag a warm front northward, leading to a broad, unstable airmass to its south. Although some reduction in moisture was expected across Mississippi due to drier air aloft and warm surface temperatures into the 80s °F, continued advection of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico seemed supportive of dewpoints in the upper 60s and lower 70s across Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi by the evening hours. Thus, mixed-layer convective available potential energy was expected to rise into the 1,500-2,000 J/kg range. Initial forecaster thinking was that strong forcing for ascent across Arkansas would lead to an organized squall line capable of both tornadoes and damaging winds, whereas more discrete supercells would be possible farther south,[13] particularly along north–south oriented confluence bands in the open warm sector.[14]

NEXRAD radar scan of the Rolling Fork, Mississippi tornado.

Clusters of storms evolved along these bands in conjunction with improving wind shear profiles. However, given their displacement from the surface low and better forcing, there was some uncertainty as to whether they would become better organized.[15] A strengthening low-level jet and surface of moisture increased confidence in the maturation of these cells,[16] and shortly thereafter, a significant supercell evolved across western Mississippi, with a radar profile indictive of an intense/EF3+ tornado.[17] Although this supercell became embedded within a line segment,[18] it remained significant and yet again produced a potentially significant tornado as it struck Winona. Another destructive tornado struck Amory as well.[19] To the north, an organized line of convection moved across Tennessee and Alabama, and although its strength was inhibited by lower moisture and a lack of robust instability, it still produced multiple damaging wind reports.[20][21]

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
0 0 2 4 0 0 0 6

March 24 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, March 24, 2023[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF1 S of Whitt Parker TX 32°56′48″N 98°02′11″W / 32.9467°N 98.0363°W / 32.9467; -98.0363 (Whitt (Mar 24, EF1)) 09:52–09:58 6.73 mi (10.83 km) 75 yd (69 m) As the tornado touched down, a large RV was rolled upside down, with two injuries occurring in this area. Further down the path, the roof from a metal building was damaged and another RV was rolled over. Multiple large trees were snapped along the tornado's path.[10]
EF1 Northwestern Poolville Parker, Wise TX 32°57′35″N 97°54′36″W / 32.9597°N 97.91°W / 32.9597; -97.91 (Poolville (Mar 24, EF1)) 09:56–10:00 5.47 mi (8.80 km) 100 yd (91 m) A few homes sustained roof and siding damage. A metal garage structure was uplifted and overturned. A large, covered pavilion roof was completely collapsed. Several outdoor buildings and multiple manufactured homes were damaged. Extensive damage to trees occurred. Three people were injured.[10]
EF2+ Rolling Fork to Silver City Issaquena, Sharkey, Humphreys MS [to be determined] [to be determined] [to be determined] [to be determined] 19+ deaths – A long-tracked, devastating tornado directly impacted Rolling Fork and Silver City, as well as many surrounding areas, resulting in catastrophic damage. Amid ongoing search and rescue, at least 19 deaths have been confirmed.[22][23]
EF? NNE of Tchula to Winona to SSW of Lodi Holmes, Carroll, Montgomery, Webster MS [to be determined] [to be determined] [to be determined] [to be determined] 3+ deaths - Another long-tracked, intense tornado was confirmed from the same supercell as the Rolling Fork storm. A tornado emergency was issued for Winona as it slammed directly into the city, causing severe damage. Multiple injuries were reported,[24] and three deaths occurred in a single home in Carroll County.[25]
EF? SE of Egypt to Amory to E of Turon Monroe, Itawamba MS [to be determined] [to be determined] [to be determined] [to be determined] 2+ deaths - A strong tornado touched down in Monroe County and then moved through the communities of Wren and Amory, producing damage. An Exxon gas station and a Jack's restaurant suffered damage. A father and daughter were killed in their house in Wren. The tornado then moved through Smithville.[26][27]
EF2 NE of Florence Lauderdale AL 34°51′N 87°38′W / 34.85°N 87.63°W / 34.85; -87.63 (Florence (Mar 24, EF2)) [to be determined] 0.6 mi (0.97 km) 100 yd (91 m) A strong tornado touched down near Florence.[23]
EF2 Fayetteville Lincoln TN 35°09′N 86°35′W / 35.15°N 86.58°W / 35.15; -86.58 (Fayetteville (Mar 24, EF2)) 04:59-05:05 3.96 mi (6.37 km) 300 yd (270 m) A strong tornado touched down in downtown Fayetteville damaging a hospital, snapping power poles and damaging vehicles.[23]
EF1 Pope Panola MS 34.1625 N -90.0458 W 01:25-01:34 8.39 mi

(13.50 km)

100 yd

(91 m)

The tornado developed along Three Wheeler Road in extreme southern Panola County. This tornado caused intermittent tree damage as it moved northeast across Cole Road and Crowder Pope Road. Additional tree damage was noted along Gleaton Road and Main Street on the southwest side of Pope. A structure sustained minor roof damage in this area. Numerous trees were uprooted across eastern Pope with one large tree falling on a home and causing structural damage. The tornado continued to move northeast across Green Road, causing damage to trees and an outbuilding near Interstate 55 and Hentz Road. This tornado lifted shortly after crossing the Interstate.[28]

March 25 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, March 25, 2023[note 1]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width Summary
EF2 WSW of Danville to Northern Hartselle Lawrence, Morgan AL 34°24′N 87°08′W / 34.40°N 87.13°W / 34.40; -87.13 (Danville (Mar 25, EF2)) 05:23-05:29 12.56 mi (20.21 km) 175 yd (160 m) 1 death – This tornado developed southwest of Danville, causing minor roof damage to chicken houses before moving through town. The Danville High School football scoreboard was partially destroyed, and sporadic tree damage was noted in the area. It intensified as it moved northeast away from town, uprooting trees, inflicting minor damage to a home, and destroying a carport. Continuing eastward, the tornado caused heavy structural damage to single-family homes and uprooted countless trees. As it passed on the north side of Hartselle, the tornado snapped and uprooted more trees. A well-anchored mobile home in the area was torn off its foundation and rolled, killing the occupant. The tornado continued to snap trees and caused more structural damage before dissipating northeast of Hartselle.[23]

Non-tornadic effects

As widespread heavy rainfall associated with the eastward-moving storm system developed, flash flood watches were hoisted for more than 18 million people across 10 states.[29] In Missouri, rainfall accumulations in excess of 3 in (76 mm) forced the closure of local highways.[30] Two people in a vehicle were killed near Grovespring when they attempted to cross a bridge over a flooded creek. Meanwhile, another woman in southwestern Missouri went missing when a small river washed her car off the road. To the south and east, severe storms across Mississippi and Tennessee caused more than 55,000 power outages.[2] Further north, Madison, Wisconsin set a one day record for March snowfall, at 12.1 in (31 cm).[31]

Aftermath

On March 25, Governor of Missisippi Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency in Sharkey, Humphreys, Carroll, and Monroe counties.[32] A curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. was instituted in Amory, as well as a notice to boil water, following the city's water department taking a hit from a tornado.[26]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.

References

  1. ^ "WPC surface analysis zoom, pan, animation and archives". wpc.ncep.noaa.gov.
  2. ^ a b Jan Childs; Ron Brackett (March 24, 2023). "Tornado Causes Major Damage, Injuries In Mississippi". The Weather Channel. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  3. ^ "Mississippi tornado kills 23 and brings devastation to US state". BBC News. March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  4. ^ "Two dead after car swept away in Missouri flash flood". KTVI. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "Tornado emergency in Mississippi | Latest Weather Clips". Fox Weather. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Jared Guyer. "Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook Issued on Mar 18, 2023".
  7. ^ Matt Mosier (March 24, 2023). "Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook Issued on Mar 20, 2023". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  8. ^ Evan Bentley (March 24, 2023). "Mar 23, 2023 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  9. ^ "SPC Storm Reports for 03/23/23". Storm Prediction Center. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c National Weather Service in Fort Worth, Texas (March 24, 2023). NWS Damage Survey for 03/24/2023 Tornado Event (Report). Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  11. ^ Matt Mosier (March 24, 2023). "Mar 23, 2023 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Matt Mosier (March 24, 2023). "Mar 23, 2023 0600 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  13. ^ Evan Bentley; Harry Weinman (March 24, 2023). "Mar 24, 2023 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Harry Weinman; Rich Thompson (March 24, 2023). "Mesoscale Discussion 324". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Weinman, Harry; Thompson, Rich (March 24, 2023). "Mesoscale Discussion 326". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  16. ^ Harry Weinman (March 24, 2023). "Mesoscale Discussion 328". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  17. ^ Harry Weinman (March 24, 2023). "Mesoscale Discussion 329". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Harry Weinman (March 24, 2023). "Mesoscale Discussion 333". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  19. ^ Wicker Perlis (March 24, 2023). "At least 1 dead as devastating tornado hits ground in Mississippi Delta, Amory. Continues NE". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  20. ^ Brynn Kerr (March 24, 2023). "Mesoscale Discussion 330". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  21. ^ Brynn Kerr (March 24, 2023). "Mesoscale Discussion 335". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  22. ^ Will McDuffie (March 24, 2023). "7 dead in 'destructive' Mississippi tornado, official says". ABC News. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  23. ^ a b c d "Damage Assessment Toolkit". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  24. ^ Peter Charalambous (March 24, 2023). "'Leveled': Responders, residents describe horror of Mississippi tornado destruction". ABC News. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  25. ^ Ozbun, Sarah Kramer; Cochrane, Emily (March 25, 2023). "Officials said the death toll could rise. Here's what to know". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Ford, Craig (March 25, 2023). "Amory issues curfew, boil water notice in tornado aftermath". WTVA. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  27. ^ Helsel, Phil; Chirbas, Kurt; Maline, Elizabeth; Sackur, Leila (March 25, 2023). "At least 23 dead after tornadoes tear through Mississippi". NBC News. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  28. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". apps.dat.noaa.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  29. ^ Amanda Myers; Ashley Williams; Doyle Rice (March 24, 2023). "Tornado rips through Mississippi Delta; weather blamed in 2 deaths amid severe storms, floods and snow across U.S." USA Today. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  30. ^ Luke Sachetta (March 24, 2023). "Flooding closes part of H Hwy, Route 59 in McDonald County". KSN. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  31. ^ "Winter sticking around: March snowstorm dumps six inches in Racine area". Journal Times. March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  32. ^ "Gov. Reeves issues State of Emergency following deadly storms". WLBT. March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
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