EF0 tornado in Newton County, Arkansas

This tornado remained over difficult to access terrain near Smith Creek and was observed from a residence just east of the path. This was an EF0 tornado that touched down along Smith Creek between Highway 21 and Newton County Rd. 24.

Scattered strong to severe storms formed into a line across portions of northwestern and northern Arkansas along and ahead of an advancing cold front. The line made it into central sections of the state by early evening, and into the south during the overnight hours of the 21st.

Dry weather and above normal temperatures returned to the state for a few days before yet another storm system would impact the state on the 21st. Ahead of a strong cold front, there was a risk of severe weather stretching from the Texas/Mexico border northeastward to the Maine/Canada border. Thunderstorms initially developed across north/northwest Arkansas before forming into a line and marching east. While a brief, weak tornado occurred across Newton County, the most widespread damage occurred across portions of north central into northeast Arkansas. Numerous trees were blown down from Sharp County into portions of Lawrence and Randolph Counties. Additional storms developed later during the evening of May 21st across portions of western into central and southern Arkansas. Severe weather reports weren't widespread, but a second brief tornado developed near Royal in Garland County.