March 2023 Tornadoes Report

According to data from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, during March, there were 244 preliminary tornado reports. This is more than triple the 1991-2010 average of 80 tornadoes for the month of March. The high count of preliminary tornadoes during March 2023 is comparable to March 2022, March 2017 and March 2021. It is unclear what the final, confirmed torando count will be for March 2023, as the preliminary total of tornadoes will likely decrease. In addition, the year-to-date tornado count is currently the highest on record, with 2017 now as the second highest. A majority of the March 2023 tornadoes occurred during three separate tornado outbreaks at the beginning and at the end of the month. These days of highest tornado frequency are summarized in the following paragraphs.

On March 1–3, a tornado outbreak occurred across portions of the Ohio River Valley, southern Plains and Southeast. A total of 36 preliminary tornadoes occurred, including two EF-2 tornadoes. This smaller tornado outbreak impacted several states including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. These tornadoes caused damage to homes, vehicles, businesses and other infrastructure. There were no tornado-related deaths but at least 9 injuries were reported.

Another tornado outbreak occurred March 24–26, across portions of the Southeast and caused severe damage in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. There was a total of 41 preliminary tornadoes. The surveyed tornado rating so far includes: 4 EF-0, 18 EF-1, 5 EF-2, 3 EF-3, and 1 EF-4 tornado. On March 24th an EF-4 tornado led to 16 fatalities in Rolling Fork, Mississippi causing heavy damage to many homes and businesses. There was also an EF-3 that touched down along the Alabama-Georgia border near the towns of Lanett, Alabama and West Point, Georgia on the morning of the 26th. The most significant damage occurred along Highway 29 just north of West Point, where several homes were destroyed. Estimated peak winds in this area were around 150 mph (67 m/s). These tornadoes caused significant damage to homes, vehicles, businesses, infrastructure and human impacts as well. In total, for this multiday outbreak, there were at least 21 fatalities reported and dozens of injuries.

March 31 produced a destructive tornado outbreak, with over 150 preliminary tornadoes across many southern and central states. The surveyed tornado rating so far includes: 41 EF-0, 41 EF-1, 33 EF-2, 11 EF-3, and 1 EF-4 tornado. This was the largest outbreak in a 24-hour period for the month of March. A strong cold front moved across the Midwest on March 31 igniting a severe weather outbreak from Iowa and Missouri eastward through Ohio. The strongest tornado from this event occurred in Keota in southeast Iowa and was rated an EF-4 with maximum wind speeds of 170 mph (274 kph). Damage surveys pinpointed that significant damage occurred in parts of western Little Rock, Arkansas. There were also injuries and fatalities, as an EF-3 near Pulaski, Arkansas injured 54 and led to 1 fatality. Another EF-3 tornado injured 26 near Wayne, Tennessee while an EF-3 tornado near Covington, Tennessee injured 28 and led to four fatalities. In total, there were more than 20 fatalities and more than 200 injuries reported across the states affected by the March 31 tornado outbreak.

Of note, with two EF-4s reported in March, 2023 is now the 5th consecutive year with at least one violent tornado reported during March. This ties the record streak (5) that occurred from 1963 to 1967 (period of recrod dating back to 1950).

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