National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Regional Outbreaks of Severe Weather Through Early Next Week; Early Season Heat Wave across the South

Active spring pattern across the center of our nation with several episodes of severe weather and heavy rainfall expected into next week. The potential for very large hail, long track tornadoes, severe wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning strikes and flash flooding are in the outlook. Furthermore, dangerous early season heat wave continues for the Gulf Coast states into early next week. 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.