 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | March 1, 2023 |
| Dissipated | March 4, 2023 |
| Tornado outbreak | |
| Tornadoes | 35 |
| Maximum rating | EF2 tornado |
| Highest gusts | Tornadic – 135 mph (217 km/h) (EF2Kirby, Arkansas tornado) Non-tornadic – 95 mph (153 km/h)(Marshall, Texas (March 2) andFryeburg, Louisiana (March 3) straight-line winds)[1] |
| Winter storm | |
| Maximum snowfall or ice accretion | 31 in (79 cm), 2 miles (3.2 km) WSW ofDowntown Flagstaff, Arizona[2] |
| Overall effects | |
| Casualties | 13 non-tornadic,[3] 17+ injuries (9 tornadic) |
| Damage | $5.8 billion (2023 USD)[4] |
| Areas affected | Southwestern United States,Southeastern United States,Northeastern United States |
Part of thetornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2023and2022–23 North American winter | |
An intense low-pressure system produced widespread impacts across the United States in early March 2023. Additionally, anoutbreak of 35 tornadoes affected 12 states from the Southern United States to theGreat Lakes. In all, the storm system killed 13 people due to flooding and strong winds. At least 17 other people were injured.
On March 1, the snowstorm inArizona led to many pileups, and several roads such asI-40,I-17, andUS 93 closed.[5] In addition,I-80 closed fromApplegate, California to theNevada state line.[6] In Nevada, portions of US 93,I-11 andI-15 were shut down as well, as well as several state highways.[7] On March 1, theNorthern Arizona University cancelled all in person classes.[8]Joshua Tree National Park temporarily closed due to the inclement weather, and theSan Bernardino National Forest shut down for two weeks.[9][10] All park roads inMojave National Preserve were shut down, and partial closures also occurred inRedwood National Park,Sequoia National Park,Kings Canyon National Park andDeath Valley National Park.[11] A supermarket inCrestline, California collapsed due to the snow.[12] One person was killed due to the storm in California.[13] Further east,I-40 westbound lanes was also shut down inGallup, New Mexico.[14] In the state ofIdaho, portions ofUS 20 were shut down as well.[15]
On March 1, hail fell in north Texas, some of which were up to half-dollar size.[16] Hail fell inDilley, Texas, causing damage to windows and cars, as well as a severe thunderstorm warning for softball sized hail inPearsall, Texas.[17] On March 2, severe storms led to a ground stop atDallas Fort Worth International Airport.[18] On March 3, the storm led to the lowest pressure on record inLouisville andBowling Green, Kentucky.[19]Mammoth Caves National Park was shut down on March 4 due to storm damage.[20] Nearly 400,000 residents in Kentucky alone lost power, with over 1800 being placed under boil water advisories. The storm resulted in five people being killed inKentucky, three inAlabama, two inTennessee, one inMississippi, and one inArkansas.[13]
On March 3, snow led to many snow emergencies in theAlbany, New York metropolitan area and nearPittsfield, Massachusetts.[21] Ultimately, 7.8 in (20 cm) of snow fell in Albany.[22] 72,700 customers in eastern New York lost power due to the winter storm.[23] On the night of March 3,WestJet cancelled all flights out ofToronto Pearson Airport due to the snow.[24] The snowstorm also shut downDetroit Metro Airport on the night of March 3,[25] and a ground stop was imposed atAtlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport due to severe weather.[26] Over 100 flights were cancelled due to the storm atBoston Logan International Airport.[27] TheMaine Turnpike had a speed restriction as a result of the storm.[28] Between March 3 and 4, up to 1.49 in (38 mm) of rain fell inNewark, New Jersey, with 1.14 in (29 mm) of rain falling inNew York City.[29]
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While confidence for a widespread severe weather outbreak increased for March 2, an enhanced risk for severe weather, including the possibility for a few strong/EF2+ tornadoes, was issued for March 1.[30] A largecapping inversion, placed along northernLouisiana, was expected to contain the atmosphere from initiating convective activity, but the presence ofmoisture, daytime heating in the area, and steep mid-levellapse rates, made the environment favorable for severe weather, including the possibility forsupercells capable of all hazards. Given the favorable parameters in place, theStorm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a large corridor, extending from extreme northeasternTexas, most of centralArkansas, northwesternMississippi, and southwesternTennessee, were the highest probabilities for tornadoes were located. A slight risk, lined with a 5% risk for tornadoes, was issued around the main area of concern, and extended into central Tennessee, and northernAlabama. A large, 30% risk for strong, damagingwind gusts was also placed along central and eastern portions of Arkansas, extending into northwest Mississippi and southwest Tennessee, as was a hatched corridor for very largehail was also introduced for this corridor.
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As a large, widespread, and damagingstorm complex event was occurring throughout theGreat Plains, which unleashed powerful damaging winds and tornadoes acrossTexas,Oklahoma, andKansas, the SPC highlighted a potential area for the risk of severe weather in the following days, with the main, 30% area for severe weather centered around eastern Texas, northern Louisiana, southernArkansas, middle portions ofMississippi, and westernAlabama, as conditions were expected to be very favorable for the development of thunderstorms capable of all severe weather hazards.[31]
After introducing a massivelevel 3/enhanced risk for March 2 on February 28,[32] which now included portions of southeastern Oklahoma, the SPC upped the threat to a level 4/moderate risk, throughout a corridor centered along theArk-La-Tex region, clipping into extreme southeastern Oklahoma, on March 1. Throughout the risk area, the environmentally favorable conditions for severe weather were set in motion due to the presence of abundantmoisture,instability that was expected ahead of acold front starting from north-central Texas, and intensewind shear prevalent across the entire region. With this setup, a linear cluster of discretesupercell thunderstorms was expected to develop, and given the favorable wind and instability patterns, a 15%, hatched risk for strong/EF2+ tornadoes was placed along the moderate risk area, while a large, surrounding 10% hatched risk for strong tornadoes was placed and extended into central portions of Arkansas, and all the way into northwestern Mississippi.[33] At the 1630 UTC update on March 2, however, the 15% hatched area was removed due to lingering uncertainty about the timing of the most favorable wind shear for tornadoes versus the convective mode of the ongoing storms. Despite this, a moderate risk remained due to a 45% hatched risk for damaging winds and 45% hatched area for largehail that had also been issued.[34]
| This section is empty. You can help byadding to it.(March 2023) |
| EFU | EF0 | EF1 | EF2 | EF3 | EF4 | EF5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 11 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF1 | Shottsville to SW ofPigeye | Marion | AL | 34°15′39″N88°07′31″W / 34.2608°N 88.1254°W /34.2608; -88.1254 (Shottsville (Mar 1, EF1)) | 03:54–04:07 | 10.1 mi (16.3 km) | 500 yd (460 m) | This tornado touched down in Shottsville where a church sustained exterior damage. Elsewhere, a home sustained damage to its metal roof and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which fell on a barn.[35] |
| EF1 | NE ofHazel Green | Madison | AL | 34°57′01″N86°30′27″W / 34.9504°N 86.5074°W /34.9504; -86.5074 (Hazel Green (Mar 1, EF1)) | 04:32–04:33 | 0.14 mi (0.23 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | A very brief and narrow high-end EF1 tornado damaged the roofs of several homes in a subdivision to the northeast of Hazel Green, including one home that had a large portion of its attached garage roof removed, causing a wall to blow out. A pickup truck was tipped over onto its side and a small portion of a fence was knocked down as well.[36] |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | W ofSignal Mountain | Marion | TN | 35°06′05″N85°28′40″W / 35.1014°N 85.4777°W /35.1014; -85.4777 (Signal Mountain (March 2, EF0)) | 12:16–12:17 | 0.26 mi (0.42 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A brief tornado downed a swath of trees inPrentice Cooper State Forest.[37] |
| EF0 | W ofGeorgetown | Hamilton,Meigs | TN | 35°17′17″N84°59′33″W / 35.288°N 84.9925°W /35.288; -84.9925 (Georgetown (Mar 2, EF0)) | 11:55–11:59 | 2.21 mi (3.56 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Homes sustained minor damage, a barn lost its roof, and trees and power lines were downed.[38][39] |
| EF1 | Pickton | Hopkins | TX | 32°58′54″N95°25′15″W / 32.9816°N 95.4209°W /32.9816; -95.4209 (Pickton (Mar 2, EF1)) | 21:20–21:28 | 8.15 mi (13.12 km) | 75 yd (69 m) | This narrow high-end EF1 tornado caused considerable damage as it moved directly through Pickton, inflicting roof damage to several homes, businesses, and a church. Trees were damaged along the path as well.[40] |
| EF0 | N ofMount Vernon | Franklin | TX | 33°17′01″N95°15′58″W / 33.2837°N 95.2662°W /33.2837; -95.2662 (Mount Vernon (Mar 2, EF0)) | 23:00–23:11 | 5.43 mi (8.74 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Several tree limbs were downed.[41] |
| EF1 | WNW ofJefferson | Marion | TX | 32°45′58″N94°25′13″W / 32.7662°N 94.4203°W /32.7662; -94.4203 (Jefferson (Mar 2, EF1)) | 23:05–23:10 | 3.25 mi (5.23 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | A few outbuildings were damaged or destroyed. Several trees were snapped or uprooted, some of which caused damage to homes and other structures upon falling.[42] |
| EF1 | NW ofMcLeod | Cass | TX | 32°58′29″N94°07′16″W / 32.9747°N 94.1211°W /32.9747; -94.1211 (McLeod (Mar 2, EF1)) | 23:34–23:35 | 1.22 mi (1.96 km) | 475 yd (434 m) | Many trees were snapped or downed, some of which caused damage to homes and other structures upon falling. A few outbuildings were damaged as well.[43] |
| EF1 | SoutheasternShreveport | Caddo | LA | 32°21′46″N93°42′31″W / 32.3627°N 93.7087°W /32.3627; -93.7087 (Shreveport(Mar 2, EF1)) | 23:35–23:40 | 4.76 mi (7.66 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | An EF1 tornado moved through southeastern sections of Shreveport, touching down and lifting several times along an intermittent path. In all, 98 homes sustained damage to their roofs, windows, and chimneys, including one home that had a large section of its roof torn off. Four businesses were also damaged and an apartment building sustained minor damage as well. Additional damage occurred to light poles, signs, fences, trampolines, and basketball hoops. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, including on the campus ofLouisiana State University Shreveport. Two people sustained minor injuries in a vehicle. Damage totaled $50 million.[44] |
| EF1 | WSW ofFouke | Miller | AR | 33°13′40″N93°59′40″W / 33.2277°N 93.9945°W /33.2277; -93.9945 (Fouke (Mar 2, EF1)) | 23:58–00:02 | 1.82 mi (2.93 km) | 475 yd (434 m) | A high-end EF1 tornado occurred near the Sulphur River Wildlife Management Area, damaging or destroying several outbuildings. Additional homes and other structures were also damaged, mainly from downed tree limbs and trees.[45] |
| EF1 | NW ofBroken Bow | McCurtain | OK | 34°02′03″N94°48′44″W / 34.0342°N 94.8123°W /34.0342; -94.8123 (Broken Bow (Mar 2, EF1)) | 03:05–03:11 | 4.85 mi (7.81 km) | 390 yd (360 m) | Trees were uprooted, some of which caused structural damage upon falling.[46] |
| EF2 | NNE ofKirby | Pike | AR | 34°15′15″N93°38′33″W / 34.2542°N 93.6426°W /34.2542; -93.6426 (Kirby (Mar 2, EF2)) | 04:50–04:53 | 1.8 mi (2.9 km) | 300 yd (270 m) | This high-end EF2 tornado completely destroyed two chicken houses at the beginning of its path. Elsewhere, a frame home had part of its roof torn off and a tied-down mobile home was destroyed after being lofted and tossed100 ft (30 m) into a wooded area. Many large trees were snapped or uprooted along the path, one of which landed on and destroyed a mobile home. A few other mobile homes were also damaged, one of which was shifted off its foundation blocks. A house sustained minor damage from falling trees shortly before the tornado dissipated. Five people were injured.[47] |
| EF1 | N ofAppleby | Nacogdoches | TX | 31°43′21″N94°38′23″W / 31.7226°N 94.6396°W /31.7226; -94.6396 (Appleby (Mar 2, EF1)) | 04:51–04:58 | 3.09 mi (4.97 km) | 1,000 yd (910 m) | Large trees were snapped or uprooted along the path of this large tornado.[48] |
| EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | E ofFryeburg | Bienville | LA | 32°24′45″N93°13′21″W / 32.4124°N 93.2224°W /32.4124; -93.2224 (Fryeburg (Mar 3, EF0)) | 06:38–06:40 | 2.4 mi (3.9 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A high-end EF0 tornado embedded with a larger area of damaging straight-line winds damaged the roof of a manufactured home and snapped or uprooted trees.[49] |
| EF0 | NW ofCarthage to SE ofLeola | Dallas | AR | 34°05′21″N92°36′54″W / 34.0892°N 92.6149°W /34.0892; -92.6149 (Carthage (March 3, EF0)) | 06:43-06:47 | 4.3 mi (6.9 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A weak tornado broke limbs and downed pine trees.[50] |
| EF0 | E ofAltheimer | Jefferson | AR | 34°18′17″N91°46′12″W / 34.3046°N 91.7699°W /34.3046; -91.7699 (Altheimer (Mar 3, EF0)) | 07:57–07:58 | 0.7 mi (1.1 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Trees were damaged by this brief, weak tornado.[51] |
| EF1 | S ofSandy Springs | Itawamba | MS | 34°23′55″N88°23′29″W / 34.3987°N 88.3913°W /34.3987; -88.3913 (Sandy Springs (Mar 3, EF1)) | 15:30–15:33 | 2.27 mi (3.65 km) | 125 yd (114 m) | This tornado caused significant damage to pine trees. Three houses and an outbuilding sustained roof damage and numerous metal roof panels were tossed into nearby trees.[52] |
| EF2 | Fremont | McCracken | KY | 36°57′N88°37′W / 36.95°N 88.61°W /36.95; -88.61 (Freemont (Mar 3, EF2)) | 17:08–17:10 | 1.49 mi (2.40 km) | 175 yd (160 m) | A strong tornado struck the small community of Fremont, causing significant damage. Multiple homes were damaged and a few had their roofs torn off, one of which sustained some exterior wall loss as well. A large garage structure was heavily damaged along with a church housed in an old school building. Numerous trees and power poles were snapped, multiple outbuildings were completely destroyed, debris was scattered across the ground, and a couple of businesses sustained roof and exterior damage.[53] |
| EF1 | SE ofSturgis | Union | KY | 37°31′N87°58′W / 37.52°N 87.96°W /37.52; -87.96 (Sturgis (Mar 3, EF1)) | 18:00–18:06 | 6.73 mi (10.83 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Three separate, large barns were severely damaged. Several trees were snapped or uprooted and dozens of tree limbs were also downed.[54] |
| EF1 | SE ofOld Shawneetown, IL | Union | KY | 37°40′N88°07′W / 37.66°N 88.11°W /37.66; -88.11 (Old Shawneetown, IL (Mar 3, EF1)) | 18:02–18:03 | 1.76 mi (2.83 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A couple of homes sustained minor roof and fascia damage. Parts of roofing and fascia were also ripped from a small convenience store. Additionally, part of the roof was torn off a large outbuilding. Several trees were snapped or damaged.[55] |
| EF0 | E ofOld Shawneetown, IL | Union | KY | 37°41′N88°04′W / 37.69°N 88.06°W /37.69; -88.06 (Old Shawneetown, IL (Mar 3, EF0)) | 18:04–18:08 | 3.62 mi (5.83 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | Large tree limbs were downed.[56] |
| EF1 | W ofSmith Mills | Henderson | KY | 37°46′N87°47′W / 37.77°N 87.78°W /37.77; -87.78 (Smith Mills (Mar 3, EF1)) | 18:17–18:19 | 2.14 mi (3.44 km) | 125 yd (114 m) | A metal farm outbuilding was destroyed and several trees suffered extensive limb damage.[57] |
| EF1 | NW ofKasson toSaint Joseph | Vanderburgh | IN | 38°02′N87°39′W / 38.03°N 87.65°W /38.03; -87.65 (Kasson (Mar 3, EF1)) | 18:38–18:40 | 2.76 mi (4.44 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A tornado caused generally minor damage to the roofs and fascia of homes in and around Saint Joseph; however, the roof was completely ripped off of Saint Joseph Catholic Church. Dozens of trees were snapped, uprooted, or had broken limbs as well.[58] |
| EF1 | NorthernSection to N ofDutton | Jackson | AL | 34°35′21″N85°59′42″W / 34.5891°N 85.9949°W /34.5891; -85.9949 (Section (Mar 3, EF1)) | 18:39–18:43 | 5.04 mi (8.11 km) | 105 yd (96 m) | This tornado touched down in Section and moved to the northeast. A manufactured home was overturned while other manufactured homes suffered damaged to their underpinnings and roofs. A home sustained minor damage, metal roofing was removed from a chicken house, many power lines were downed, and trees were snapped or uprooted as well.[59] |
| EF0 | N ofDarmstadt to S ofStacer | Vanderburgh | IN | 38°07′N87°35′W / 38.12°N 87.58°W /38.12; -87.58 (Darmstadt (Mar 3, EF0)) | 18:45–18:47 | 2.14 mi (3.44 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A few homes sustained roof and fascia damage. Several large tree limbs were downed.[60] |
| EF1 | SoutheasternPisgah to W ofRosalie | Jackson | AL | 34°40′43″N85°50′21″W / 34.6785°N 85.8392°W /34.6785; -85.8392 (Pisgah (Mar 3, EF1)) | 18:47–18:50 | 3.17 mi (5.10 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | This brief tornado formed shortly after the EF1 Section tornado dissipated, touching down at the southeast edge of Pisgah. It uprooted several trees and inflicted minor roof damage to chicken houses before dissipating.[61] |
| EF1 | E ofDale to NNE ofJohnsburg | Spencer,Dubois | IN | 38°10′N86°58′W / 38.17°N 86.97°W /38.17; -86.97 (Dale (Mar 3, EF1)) | 19:07–19:15 | 5.25 mi (8.45 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A large barn had about half its roof ripped off. A couple of houses sustained roof and fascia damage, including one that had multiple windows blown out as well, while a nearby TV antenna on the property was bent at its base. A semi-trailer was overturned onI-64 and a metal farm building was damaged. Several large trees were snapped, uprooted, or had their limbs downed.[62][63] |
| EF1 | NorthernDuff to NorthwesternJasper | Dubois | IN | 38°19′44″N87°01′37″W / 38.329°N 87.027°W /38.329; -87.027 (Jasper (Mar 3, EF1)) | 19:11–19:18 | 7.3 mi (11.7 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | This tornado first touched down at the north edge of the small community of Duff. Multiple homes sustained minor roof and siding damage while barns were heavily damaged or destroyed, including one barn that was left with only one wall standing. Further to the northeast, many trees were snapped or uprooted in the northwestern part of Jasper before the tornado dissipated.[64] |
| EF1 | N ofSonoraville | Gordon | GA | 34°27′34″N84°50′01″W / 34.4595°N 84.8336°W /34.4595; -84.8336 (Sonoraville (Mar 2, EF1)) | 20:08–20:12 | 3.69 mi (5.94 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | An outbuilding was destroyed, a barn was largely destroyed, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. Several power lines were snapped as well.[65] |
| EF1 | S ofKent | Jefferson | IN | 38°42′11″N85°33′25″W / 38.703°N 85.557°W /38.703; -85.557 (Kent (Mar 3, EF1)) | 20:29–20:31 | 1.66 mi (2.67 km) | 120 yd (110 m) | A tornado snapped, uprooted, or twisted numerous trees west ofHanover. Six outbuildings and older barns were significantly damaged or destroyed. A brick home sustained severe roof damage, had windows blown out, and had its TV antenna snapped as well.[66] |
| EF0 | W ofBethel | Clermont | OH | 38°57′32″N84°07′41″W / 38.9590°N 84.1280°W /38.9590; -84.1280 (Bethel (Mar 3, EF0)) | 22:05–22:07 | 1.29 mi (2.08 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | Numerous homes and outbuildings sustained minor siding and fascia damage. Trees were snapped or uprooted as well, including one that fell on a home.[67] |
| EF1 | NW ofMowrystown to SSE ofNew Vienna | Highland | OH | 39°06′57″N83°49′04″W / 39.1159°N 83.8178°W /39.1159; -83.8178 (Highland (Mar 3, EF1)) | 22:26–22:40 | 14.16 mi (22.79 km) | 400 yd (370 m) | This tornado caused significant damage to several barns and a mobile home shortly after touching down. After moving to the northeast and causing some minor damage to trees and a few structures, the tornado strengthened again as it struck thePricetown community, where several homes suffered considerable roof damage, one of which had its attached garage torn off and mostly flattened. The tornado then weakened and may have lifted briefly as it continued north-northeast through mostly open fields, causing only minor tree damage and downing a power pole. The tornado then strengthened again as it crossedUS 50, where a church had much of its roof ripped off and some outbuildings were damaged and trees and tree limbs were downed. It then weakened momentarily, but strengthened again as it struck theWillettsville community, inflicting roof damage to numerous homes and outbuildings, and including another home that had its attached garage collapsed. The tornado then weakened for the final time and continued northeastward, causing some additional minor tree and roof damage before dissipating.[68] |
| EF0 | S ofNew Vienna | Highland | OH | 39°16′30″N83°43′00″W / 39.2751°N 83.7166°W /39.2751; -83.7166 (Highland (Mar 3, EF0)) | 22:35–22:37 | 0.9 mi (1.4 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | This brief tornado was likely a satellite to the previous tornado. A shed was largely destroyed, a few homes sustained minor roof and siding damage, and some trees were damaged as well.[69] |
| EF0 | WNW ofFrankfort | Ross | OH | 39°24′39″N83°12′08″W / 39.4107°N 83.2021°W /39.4107; -83.2021 (Frankfort (Mar 3, EF0)) | 23:13–23:14 | 0.85 mi (1.37 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A brief tornado snapped or uprooted multiple trees. A concession stand sustained minor roof damage and a chain-link fence was damaged as well.[70] |
| EF1 | NNW ofHickory Tavern toGray Court to NNW ofCross Anchor | Laurens,Spartanburg | SC | 34°35′20″N82°13′34″W / 34.589°N 82.226°W /34.589; -82.226 (Hickory Tavern (Mar 3, EF1)) | 00:14–00:37 | 21.27 mi (34.23 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | This weak and narrow but long-lived tornado struck the communities of Gray Court andLanford directly. Damage along its path mainly consisted of dozens of trees being snapped or uprooted, including multiple trees that fell onto homes.[71][72] |
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