EF1 tornado in Clay County, Arkansas

A tornado touched down on county road 420 northwest of Rector, AR, where tree damage was observed. The tornado continued northeast, causing minor roof damage to a residence near the intersection of County Roads 420 and 418. In addition, roof uplift occurred to a metal outbuilding on the property. Damage was consistent with a 90 mph EF1 tornado. The tornado lifted shortly after crossing County Road 418.

A negatively tilted upper-level trough began to deepen as it moved from the northern Rockies into the Middle Mississippi Valley on Sunday afternoon, driving a potent cold front eastward. Mid-level heights also began to fall Sunday afternoon as impressive kinematics overspread the region. Moderately steep mid-level lapse rates greater than 7 C/km, along with SBCAPE values of 750-1200 J/kg and storm relative helicity values upwards of 300 m2/s2 developed ahead of the cold front. An impressive line of storms formed along and ahead of the cold front, producing a half dozen weak tornadoes, 75+ mph wind gusts, and large hail across the Mid-South.