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Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall in the Southern Plains Today

Heavy to excessive rainfall may produce additional flash flooding today across parts of the southern Plains where the greatest risk is along the Red River Valley into western Arkansas. Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible today from north central Texas into the ArkLaTex Region. Large to very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes are all possible, with some strong-tornado potential. Read More >

Overview

A widespread tornado outbreak occurred Friday, March 31, 2023 involving nearly 150 tornadoes across the country. This included 29 tornadoes in the NWS Quad Cities County Warning Area (CWA), with eleven (11) reported injuries, and no fatalities.  This was one of the nation's largest tornado outbreaks in terms of total number of tornadoes, and was the largest tornado outbreak in the NWS Quad Cities CWA on record (since 1950). The strongest tornado developed southwest of Keota, IA and moved northeast towards Wellman before finally dissipating in far southwestern Johnson county.  It was rated EF4 with maximum sustained winds estimated around 170 mph. This was the strongest tornado in the NWS Quad Cities CWA since 1995.

 

 

March 31, 2023 Story Map
Click for event Story Map. Background photo courtesy of A.Wehrle.