The April 2022 North American storm complex affected much of the Rocky Mountains and the Midwestern United States with tornadoes, heavy snow, and gusty winds. The system in general first began impacting the Northwest on April 11, before moving eastward into the Rocky Mountains the following day. It was also responsible for producing a large severe weather outbreak of tornadoes and damaging straight-line wind in the Midwest and South while contributing to a powerful blizzard in the upper Midwest states of North and South Dakota.
In the upper Midwest, the system brought record-breaking snowfall and blizzard conditions to North and South Dakota and adjunct states, producing up to of snowfall and knocking power out to thousands and killing at least one person. The warm side of the system also knocked power out to thousands in the South and produced 74 tornadoes, with the strongest being rated EF3, and very large hail as well. One non-tornadic death was attributed to the severe weather in the South, while another non-tornadic death occurred in North Dakota when a blizzard hit the area.
Meteorological synopsis
Signs for a severe weather outbreak, the fourth one in four weeks, became evident the day before, on April 10. The Storm Prediction Center, on their Day 2 Convective Outlook, introduced a large slight risk area, covering northeastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, much of Arkansas, southern portions of Missouri, and extreme western Kentucky and Tennessee. A cold front positioned itself along much of Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, on an area with elevated moisture, leading to the rise of moderate dew points, around . This, combined with the expected daytime heating to occur over much of the Ark-La-Tex region, created an environment favorable for supercell initiation. Given this, the outlook introduced a large 5% contour for tornadoes. The following day, the risk was increased to an enhanced level, with this new area of higher probabilites for severe weather being placed along north-central Arkansas and extreme eastern Oklahoma. Given the presence of strong wind shear and CAPE values reaching 2500 J/kg in this area, a 10%, unhatched corridor for tornadoes was introduced, as the environment was poised to be more favorable for supercells to develop. As the afternoon advanced, even greater confidence grew that this corridor was even more favorable for sustained supercells, and a 10%, hatched risk for tornadoes, indicating the possibilities for strong tornadoes to occur, was issued along the same corridor in Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Multiple supercell thunderstorms developed by the early evening, soon becoming tornadic. A couple of intense supercells produced a few tornadoes over west-central Arkansas. This included a large supercell that developed near Mayflower, Arkansas, producing a tornado that prompted the issuance of a tornado emergency. However, the tornado ended up only causing EF1 tree damage. Several other EF1 tornadoes touched down in the area that afternoon and evening as well, one of which caused considerable damage to trees, mobile homes, and outbuildings near Scranton.
On the morning of April 12, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk for Iowa, including a 15% hatched risk for tornadoes. A highly sheared and unstable airmass was in place over Iowa, with CAPE values exceeding 2000 J/kg, ample low-level moisture, and significant low-level shear and helicity present. With supercell development being likely, strong tornadoes were expected. Farther south, an enhanced risk was in place over eastern Texas, with a 5% risk of tornadoes outlined for that area, along with much of Louisiana and Arkansas. Later that day, a large and strong EF2 tornado caused major damage to homes near Gilmore City, Iowa, and destroyed multiple barns and farm implements, injuring one person. Another EF2 tornado caused significant damage to a few structures near Rutland, while an EF1 tornado moved through the outskirts of Mason City, damaging some buildings there as well. In the southern threat area, a large high-end EF3 tornado destroyed multiple homes and two churches near the town of Salado, Texas, injuring 23 people. Farther north, a damaging EF2 tornado struck the town of Taopi, Minnesota, where homes had roofs and exterior walls torn off, many trees were downed, cars were flipped, and two people were injured. On April 13, the Storm Prediction Center issued another moderate risk, this time for eastern Arkansas, northern Mississippi, western Tennessee, the Missouri Bootheel, and Western Kentucky, including a 15% hatched risk area for tornadoes and a 45% hatched risk area for damaging winds. Another highly moist, unstable, and sheared environment was in place, and numerous additional tornadoes touched down across the threat area, though due to a predominantly linear storm mode, only a couple of strong tornadoes occurred, although there was widespread significant wind damage. The most significant tornado of the day impacted the rural community of Clarkdale, Mississippi, causing EF2 damage to trees and structures. Another EF2 tornado caused major tree damage near Sikes, Louisiana. Father north, several weak EF0 and EF1 tornadoes caused minor to moderate damage near the towns of Monette, Arkansas; Leachville, Arkansas; Mayfield, Kentucky; and Briensburg, Kentucky, all of which sustained severe to catastrophic damage on December 10, 2021.
Confirmed tornadoes
April 11 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, April 11, 2022EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax width EF1SSE of BloomerSebastianAR22:12–22:13Trees were uprooted, and large tree limbs were snapped in a heavily wooded area of Fort Chaffee. EF1SE of CharlestonFranklinAR22:23–22:32A home and several outbuildings were damaged, and several trees were snapped or uprooted. EF1NE of ScrantonLoganAR23:33–23:44A metal barn sustained significant damage, the roof of a mobile home was damaged, a small outbuilding was destroyed, and many trees were snapped or uprooted. EFUN of TalihinaLeFloreOK00:11–00:13A brief tornado touched down over a rural area, causing no damage. EF1E of Mayflower to NNE of GibsonFaulkner, PulaskiAR01:07–01:18Many trees were downed at Camp Robinson and just north of the Cato community.
April 12 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, April 12, 2022EF#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax width EFUFort HoodCoryellTX22:06–22:15Weather spotters confirmed a tornado over an inaccessible part of Fort Hood; the damage path was unable to be surveyed. EF3N of Florence to NW of SaladoWilliamson, BellTX22:29–23:06See section on this tornado – 23 people were injured. EF2NE of Palmer to W of Gilmore CityPocahontasIA23:15–23:33A large and strong tornado damaged farmsteads, destroyed outbuildings, and snapped power poles along its path. EF1E of Gilmore City to SSW of RutlandHumboldtIA23:28–23:37This tornado produced high-end EF1 damage to several farms along an unusual fish-hook shaped path. Trees were damaged as well. EF1NE of MonroeOuachitaLA23:34–23:39Numerous trees were damaged, including about 100 that were uprooted or snapped. Many of these trees landed on buildings and caused structural damage; one landed on a manufactured home and injured the occupant. EF2NW of Rutland to SSE of BodeHumboldtIA23:39–23:50A strong tornado snapped numerous power poles and caused considerable damage to farmsteads. The tornado moved along an unusual fish-hook shaped path, much like the previous EF1 tornado that occurred near Rutland. EFUSW of GoehnerSewardNE23:43Video evidence as well as train spotter reports confirmed a brief, weak tornado over open terrain south of Interstate 80. The total path length is uncertain due to the lack of damage. EF0SSE of SeatonBellTX00:25–00:31A weak tornado that was observed by storm spotters downed several trees. EF0KanawhaHancockIA00:33–00:36A brief, weak tornado caused minor damage in Kanawha. EF1SE of Missouri Valley to ESE of LoganHarrisonIA01:08–01:18A tornado embedded within a larger area of damaging straight-line winds damaged trees, destroyed a few barns and sheds, and inflicted minor damage to a home. EF1UnadillaOtoeNE01:24–01:25A brief tornado caused damage to the roofs, siding, and gutters of three homes in town. Tree damage occurred as well. EF1ESE of WoodbineHarrisonIA01:25–01:28Trees were damaged, a shed was destroyed, and other farm structures were damaged. EF1W of BentonCaddo, BossierLA02:54–02:57A center pivot irrigation system was flipped, five metal farm or outbuildings had their roofs partially removed, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted by this high-end EF1 tornado. A guest house was shifted off its foundation and destroyed. A nearby two-story single family home had a large portion of its roof removed, and a second home was also damaged. EF0Southern Shreveport to WSW of HaughtonCaddo, BossierLA02:55–03:04A weak tornado embedded within a larger area of damaging straight-line winds impacted the Louisiana State University Shreveport campus, downing trees and damaging the school's baseball and soccer fields. Elsewhere along the path, many trees were downed, including three that fell on and severely damaged mobile homes. Power poles and power lines were downed, a food stand was damaged, and several homes suffered minor shingle damage. The tornado crossed Barksdale Air Force Base, where more trees were downed and tree branches were broken, before dissipating. EF0N of HosstonCaddoLA02:57–02:58A weak tornado snapped tree limbs. EF1W of Castor to NW of LuckyBienvilleLA03:23–03:34Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted along the path. EF1Southeastern Mason CityCerro GordoIA03:26–03:32A tornado moved through the southeastern outskirts of Mason City, where several buildings damaged, including some that had their roofs blown off. An office building was heavily damaged as well. EF1S of GraftonWorthIA03:34-03:36A tornado caused damage to trees and an outbuilding at a farmstead. EF0S of PrescottNevadaAR03:41–03:42A number of trees were uprooted by this brief, weak tornado. EF0NW of RuddFloyd, MitchellIA03:41–03:48Satellite imagery revealed a tornado path through open farm fields. EF2TaopiMowerMN03:46–03:52A significant tornado caused severe damage as it passed directly through the small town of Taopi. Multiple homes sustained major structural damage, with roofs removed and walls collapsed, including one home that had multiple exterior walls knocked down. Outbuildings and barns were heavily damaged or destroyed, power poles were snapped, and many trees were downed. Cars were flipped, and debris was scattered throughout the town and deposited in trees. Two people were injured. EF1S of BrownvilleMitchellIA03:57–04:00A tornado damaged trees and outbuildings. EF1E of New Haven to ESE of RicevilleMitchell, HowardIA03:57–04:09Numerous farm buildings and grain bins were damaged. EF1SW of Spring ValleyFillmoreMN04:08–04:11Farm buildings and trees were damaged. EF0S of SaratogaHowardIA04:10–04:16Trees were damaged by this weak tornado. EF0Northwestern RidgewayWinneshiekIA04:36–04:37A weak tornado briefly touched town in the northwestern part of Ridgeway, where homes and a few other buildings sustained minor roof and window damage. Sheet metal debris was scattered and deposited in trees. EF0W of FremontWinonaMN04:40–04:44Radar and satellite imagery indicated a tornado over open fields. EF0FremontWinonaMN04:41–04:42Minor tree damage occurred in the Fremont area as a result of this small, weak tornado.
April 13 event