NWS LIX - February 23, 2016 Severe Weather and Tornado Event

Areas of Excessive Rainfall and Fire Weather Today; Wildfire Smoke Bringing Unhealthy Air Quality to the Pacific Northwest

In southeast Texas, the coastal Carolinas, and much of New Mexico today, showers and thunderstorms may bring excessive rainfall which could lead to areas of flooding. Dry, gusty winds will contribute to scattered areas of elevated to critical fire weather today in the western U.S. Wildfire smoke is causing unhealthy air quality today in parts of the Pacific Northwest and central Plains. Read More >

Severe Weather Event of February 23, 2016

A strong upper level disturbance and related surface low produced several severe thunderstorms across the area from late morning through the early evening hours of Tuesday February 23, 2016. There were numerous tornadoes reported with these severe thunderstorms as they moved across the area. The most significant tornadoes impacted the River Parishes between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

At this time, 13 tornadoes have been confirmed from this event. These tornadoes have been determined to range in strength from EF0 to EF3 after NWS storm surveys were conducted.

Damage Surveys: